A descriptive essay is simply an essay
that describes something or
someone by appealing to the
reader’s senses: sight, sound, touch,
smell, and taste.
1. Select a subject - Observation is the key to writing a
good description. For example, if you are writing about
a place, go there and take notes on the sights, sounds,
and smells. A descriptive essay paints a picture for the
reader, using descriptive devices and the senses.
Create a thesis statement – A thesis statement is
simply a sentence that tells the reader what you are going
to be talking about throughout the entire essay
2.
• You’re thesis statement should never begin with phrases
like, “I am going to be talking about. . .”
• Since this is a descriptive essay, create a thesis that
informs the reader of who or what you will be
describing.
Ex: “My bedroom is an ocean sanctuary”
Ex: “My family vacation to Disney World was a magical
week of fun, laughter, and sun-filled happiness.
Select dominant details
- Make sure you are only writing about things that
specifically support your thesis.
3.
For example, if your thesis statement is talking about
your sun-filled trip to the beach, don’t bore the reader
with meaningless details about your swimsuit. . . You
should be describing the beach itself, and perhaps some
of the events that took place there (e.g. building a
sandcastle, boogie-boarding, parasailing, etc.)
4.
Use descriptive words – do not use vague words or
generalities (such as good, nice, bad, or even
beautiful).
• Think about it. . . Which sounds better?
“I ate a good dinner.”
Or
“I devoured a steaming hot, cheese-filled pepperoni pizza for
dinner.”
See the difference?
5.
Provide sensory detail
- Smells that are in the air (the aroma of freshly brewed
coffee)
- Sounds (traffic, honking horns, waves crashing)
- Sights (“The sun scattered tiny diamonds across dewcovered grass as it peeked out from beyond the horizon.”)
- Touch (“The texture of the adobe hut’s walls resembled
coarse sandpaper.”)
- Taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, tart (“Giant goose bumps
formed on my tongue when I accidently bit into a sliver of
lemon.”)
6. Draw a logical conclusion - The conclusion may also
use descriptive words; however, make certain the
conclusion is logical and relevant.
On a blank sheet of paper, look at the following images.
Write down things you might hear, see, taste, smell, or
feel/touch if you were “in” these pictures
After you have compiled a brief list of sensory details,
write a descriptive sentence about each picture.
The Narrative Essay
 A narrative essay is a story written about a personal
experience.
 Writing a narrative essay provides an opportunity to
get to know and understand yourself better.
 Narratives provide human interest, spark our curiosity,
and draw us close to the storyteller.
In addition, narratives can
 Create a sense of shared history
 Provide entertainment
 Provide insight
Traits of a Narrative Essay
 Usually written in first person – “I”
 Usually rely on concrete, sensory details to convey
their point
 Usually include these story conventions: plot, setting,
characters, climax, ending
 ALWAYS make a point. You don’t tell a story just for
the sake of telling…your story must make a point.
Show don’t Tell
 What does show don’t tell mean?
 Good writing tends to draw an image in the reader’s
mind instead of just telling the reader what to think or
believe.
Here’s a sentence that tells.
 Mr. Bobweave was a fat, ungrateful old man.
 That gets the information across, but it is BORING.
A sentence that shows…
 Mr. Bobweave heaved himself out of the chair. As his
feet spread under his apple-like frame and his arthritic
knees popped and cracked in objection, he pounded
the floor with his cane while cursing that dreadful girl
who was late again with his coffee.
 The writer didn’t tell Mr. Bobweave was fat, he showed
it by saying his “apple-like” frame.
How can you show your ideas?
 Use metaphors and similes:
 She landed under the window like a falling leaf.
 Use quoted language: bits of conversation can enliven
your writing.
 Know when to quit: If you think your readers would like
a little more, write the little bit more and then delete it.