DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY 1 What is a Descriptive Essay

DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

1. What is a Descriptive Essay? �A descriptive essay is a detailed paper that describes a place, person, situation, an object, or emotions. �Descriptive writing should create a picture in the reader’s mind. �People can learn about things that they have never seen before by reading or listening to their descriptions.

2. What is the Purpose of a Descriptive Essay? �The purpose of a descriptive essay is to describe a person, place or anything in vivid detail so that the reader can create a picture in mind of what is being written. �Descriptive essays are not intended to persuade the reader or showing facts and figures to prove something. �Descriptive essays are like word paintings that contain descriptive details and these are mostly assigned to students of creative writing.

Types of Descriptive Essay �Human essay. It is much harder to tell about a person. Overall, such task would mean telling about the appearance, actions, behaviours, mood, and qualities of the chosen individual. �Place essay. The primary thing you should understand to find out how to write a descriptive essay about a place is the paper's focus. Focus on describing places with the most breathtaking sights; let your reader feel the might of such cities as New York or Rome in your description.

�Event essay. You can describe your last vacation, loud rock gig, summer music festival, graduation day, or Euro trip. �Animal essay. Wild nature is full of wonders - choose the animal you like most of all or the one you can associate with yourself. �Occupation essay. Writing about the job of your dream is good training before preparing an admissions essay or job resume.

�Behaviour essay. If you want to describe the freaky behaviour of your best friend to show the same people act under different conditions, it's your chance!

3. How to Start a Descriptive Essay �A strong start for your descriptive essay is essential. Analyze your topic from every angle and document the following details: � 3. 1 Analysis �Analyse the main subjects in detail and observe minute things. �Start with observing all the possible aspects of the subject. �Don't just observe the object but also its surroundings. �Focus on details and features of the subject and develop opinions about them. �Be thoughtful; this first step will be the basis for the essay.

� 3. 2 Physical Settings �Describing the physical settings is a must in a descriptive essay. When describing, keep the following points in mind. � Focus on the subject's position and observe nearby objects � Note the time of day and kind of lighting: natural or imitated � Physical settings: all the basic and decorative elements � The position and shape of the objects � Alignment and any other observable information

� 3. 3 Physical Features �When describing the physical features of the subject, living or nonliving, consider the following points. �Living or nonliving; describe the features in detail �The subject's skin color, texture, smoothness, expression, and age. �The features of inanimate objects in the picture, color, surface and texture

� 3. 4 Focus On Your Feelings �Focus on how you feel about the particular topic or person and stick to it. � It is easy to get involved when working on the essay. But, focus on your own feelings and write an essay based on it.

� 3. 5 Use Of Specific Vocabulary �Vocabulary is important. Select the best words for describing an action or object. Don't always use the first word that comes to mind. �Write slowly and thoughtfully, and use specific words to convey your thoughts.

� 3. 6 Psychological Aspects �Writing about a certain situation or behavior of a person, focus on the mental aspects and emotions involved in them. �For Example, describe your emotions when your friend misplaced your notes right before the exam. �You may have several emotions in that incident. Maybe you were prepared for exams, but this situation put you under pressure and made you feel frustrated and hurt. �Explore those emotions and describe the feelings they aroused. Describe the body language also, if relevant.

� 3. 7 Ask Yourself, WHY? �This is the most valuable tip for students. When you are looking at a particular subject, and having difficulty analyzing its aspects, ask yourself "WHY". �Why is the subject the way it is? �Why the person you are describing has such deep set and cold eyes? �Why the animal is so wounded and terrified? �Why the particular place is famous?

4. How To Write A Descriptive Essay? �When you write a descriptive essay, you help your readers visualize an event, a person or story. It is written to make your readers feel what you feel about the respective subject. �A descriptive essay seeks to appeal to some or all of the audience’s five senses.

�Some key things to consider are: �Discussing your subject thoroughly �Focusing on details and adding them in your essay �Sharing your personal feelings and experience about the subject �Observing and describing all sensory details of your subject �Last but not the least, a descriptive essay should have a purpose.

5. Descriptive Essay Outline � 5. 1 Descriptive Essay Introduction �Attract the reader's attention with an interesting fact, phrase, or quote �Don't bombard them with information �Go straight to the main points �Include enough information to introduce the topic and its significance. �Summarize the argument and the main topic and craft your thesis statement

� 5. 2 Descriptive Essay Thesis Statement �Define the essay scope - it should narrow down all the points to clarify its purpose. �Avoid using common words - you should be creative with your choice of words. �Create suspense - it should attract the reader to the body paragraphs of the essay.

� 5. 3 Descriptive Essay Body Paragraphs �Start each body paragraph with a main sentence �Use transitions to move between paragraphs smoothly �Each paragraph should be five to six sentences long

� 5. 4 Descriptive Essay Conclusion �Restate thesis statement �Summarize the main points �Add an intriguing closing statement