Descriptive Essays Descriptive Essays can either be Objective

Descriptive Essays

Descriptive Essays can either be… Objective Subjective • In an objective description, you describe things in a very straightforward, literal way (Reporters and technical writers have to be objective). • In a subjective description, you convey a highly personal view of your subject to seek a strong emotional response. • He said he loved me. • When he said he loved me, it felt as if my heart leapt out of my chest.

Focus on a dominant impression What is the dominant impression you have about a subject? For example, suppose you had to write a subjective descriptive essay about online classes. What would your dominant impression be? • Here a few impressions you might have come up with… 1. Convenient 2. Time Consuming 3. Easy

Select the details you want to include. After you come up with a dominant impression, you need to consider the details you want to include. “The power of description hinges on your ability to select from all possible details only those that support the dominant impression. All others—no matter how vivid or interesting—must be left out” (Nadell et al 155). • If I am writing my essay on online classes, and convenience is my dominant impression, then I may include details such as: • Fits in with work schedule • Allows for family time • Can contact instructors on personal lines • More time to turn in assignments (Notice each detail focuses on convenience for the student. )

Next, organize the descriptive details: • Although descriptive essays don’t have a specific format, you need to make sure that each descriptive paragraph has a clear focus (This focus is stated in the topic sentence).

Next, choose vivid sensory language for your details Vague • The food was not good. • The lemonade was refreshing. Vivid • The liver and onions looked like a brown pool of congealed mud. • The cool glass of lemonade felt like silk as it cascaded down my throat.

Using sensory language cont. You can use similes: You can use metaphors: • The baby looked like a jack in the box toy as he bounced up and down in his crib. • Stalking his prey, the hungry man remained hidden behind the pillar motionless but ready to spring on any body who made it to the buffet table before him.

When you begin thinking about your essay, try this questioning technique using the five senses. See: What do I see at Galveston beach? Hear: How does it sound there? Smell: Why can’t I forget its smell? Feel: How does it feel?

Use this checklist before you type your final draft! • What sights and sounds, smells, and textures are important for developing your description? • Which details can you include to ensure that your readers gain a vivid impression imbued with your emotion and perspective (without using first person pronouns). • Have you provided enough details and descriptions to enable your readers to gain a complete and vivid perspective? • Are there any unnecessary details in your description?

“Read” the following images…

Now that you have taken a moment to look closely at the two pictures, imagine you are writing a column for the local newspaper. Your purpose is to encourage area business people to provide financial support for the city’s mural arts program. Remember, take time to brainstorm about each picture. Then, write your dominant impression of each image. After this, think about how you can use your list and your dominant impression to write to the city council about supporting community art displays. You want to post your responses on the discussion board, so your classmates and I can read them.