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Descriptive Essay Writing Guide

The descriptive essay asks students to describe an object, person, place, experience or situation. It allows for creative freedom to vividly paint a picture for the reader. When writing a descriptive essay, students should brainstorm details, use clear and vivid language to appeal to the senses, describe related emotions, and leave the reader with a clear impression through an organized description.

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Ayesha Rehman
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172 views3 pages

Descriptive Essay Writing Guide

The descriptive essay asks students to describe an object, person, place, experience or situation. It allows for creative freedom to vividly paint a picture for the reader. When writing a descriptive essay, students should brainstorm details, use clear and vivid language to appeal to the senses, describe related emotions, and leave the reader with a clear impression through an organized description.

Uploaded by

Ayesha Rehman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

What is a descriptive essay?

The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks


the student to describe something—object, person,
place, experience, emotion, situation, etc. This
genre encourages the student’s ability to create a
written account of a particular experience. What is
more, this genre allows for a great deal of artistic
freedom (the goal of which is to paint an image
that is vivid and moving in the mind of the reader).
One might benefit from keeping in mind this simple
maxim: If the reader is unable to clearly form an
impression of the thing that you are describing,
try, try again!
Here are some guidelines for writing a descriptive
essay.
 Take time to brainstorm

If your instructor asks you to describe your


favorite food, make sure that you jot down some
ideas before you begin describing it. For instance,
if you choose pizza, you might start by writing
down a few words: sauce, cheese, crust,
pepperoni, sausage, spices, hot, melted, etc. Once
you have written down some words, you can begin
by compiling descriptive lists for each one.
 Use clear and concise language.
This means that words are chosen carefully,
particularly for their relevancy in relation to that
which you are intending to describe.
 Choose vivid language.

Why use horse when you can choose stallion? Why


not use tempestuous instead of violent? Or why
not miserly in place of cheap? Such choices form a
firmer image in the mind of the reader and often
times offer nuanced meanings that serve better
one’s purpose.
 Use your senses!

Remember, if you are describing something,


you need to be appealing to the senses of the
reader. Explain how the thing smelled, felt,
sounded, tasted, or looked. Embellish the moment
with senses.
 What were you thinking?!

If you can describe emotions or feelings


related to your topic, you will connect with the
reader on a deeper level. Many have felt crushing
loss in their lives, or ecstatic joy, or mild
complacency. Tap into this emotional reservoir in
order to achieve your full descriptive potential.
 Leave the reader with a clear impression.
One of your goals is to evoke a strong sense of
familiarity and appreciation in the reader. If your
reader can walk away from the essay craving the
very pizza you just described, you are on your way
to writing effective descriptive essays.
 Be organized!

It is easy to fall into an incoherent rambling of


emotions and senses when writing a descriptive
essay. However, you must strive to present an
organized and logical description if the reader is to
come away from the essay with a cogent sense of
what it is you are attempting to describe.

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