Descriptive Essay Writing
Descriptive Essay Examples
Amazing Descriptive Essay Examples for Your Help
Published on: Jun 21, 2023
Last updated on: Nov 19, 2024
People also read
Interesting Descriptive Essay Topics - 2024
Writing a Descriptive Essay Outline - Tips & Examples
Descriptive Essay: Definition, Tips & Examples
Share this article
Descriptive essays are very commonly assigned essays. This type of essay enhances students' writing skills and allows them to think critically.
A descriptive essay is often referred to as the parent essay type. Other essays like argumentative essays, narrative essays, and expository essays fall into descriptive essays. Also, this essay helps the student enhance their ability to imagine the whole scene in mind by appealing senses.
It is assigned to high school students and all other students at different academic levels. Students make use of the human senses like touch, smell, etc., to make the descriptive essay more engaging for the readers.
On This Page On This Page -->
Examples make it easy for readers to understand things in a better way. Also, in a descriptive essay, different types of descriptions can be discussed.
Need a Perfect Descriptive Essay? We Can Write It!
Here are some amazing examples of a descriptive essay to make the concept easier for you.
Descriptive Essay Example 5 Paragraph
5 paragraphs essay writing format is the most common method of composing an essay. This format has 5 paragraphs in total. The sequence of the paragraphs is as follows;
- Introduction
- Body Paragraph 1
- Body Paragraph 2
- Body Paragraph 3
- Conclusion
Following is an example of a descriptive essay written using the famous 5 paragraph method.
5 Paragraph Descriptive Essay
Descriptive Essay Example About A Person
Descriptive essays are the best option when it comes to describing and writing about a person. A descriptive essay is written using the five human senses. It helps in creating a vivid image in the reader’s mind and understanding what the writer is trying to convey.
Here is one of the best descriptive essay examples about a person. Read it thoroughly and try to understand how a good descriptive essay is written on someone’s personality.
Descriptive Essay Example About a Person
Descriptive Essay Example About A Place
If you have visited a good holiday spot or any other place and want to let your friends know about it. A descriptive essay can help you explain every detail and moment you had at that place.
Here is one of the good descriptive essay examples about a place. Use it as a sample and learn how you can write such an essay.
Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 6
Descriptive essays are frequently assigned to school students. This type of essay helps the students enhance their writing skills and helps them see things in a more analytical way.
If you are a 6 grader and looking for a good descriptive essay example, you are in the right place.
Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 7
Here is one of the best descriptive essay examples for grade 7.
Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 8
If you are looking for some amazing descriptive essay examples for grade 8, you have already found one. Look at the given example and see what a well-written descriptive essay looks like.
Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 10
Essay writing is an inevitable part of a student's academic life . No matter your grade, you will get to write some sort of essay at least once.
Here is an example of a descriptive essay writing for grade10. If you are also a student of this grade, this example might help you to complete your assignment.
Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 12
If you are a senior student and looking for some essay examples, you are exactly where you should be.
Use the below-mentioned example and learn how to write a good essay according to the instructions given to you.
Descriptive Essay Example College
Descriptive essays are a great way to teach students how they can become better writers. Writing a descriptive essay encourages them to see the world more analytically.
Below is an example that will help you and make your writing process easy.
College Descriptive Essay Example
Descriptive Essay Example for University
Descriptive essays are assigned to students at all academic levels. University students are also assigned descriptive essay writing assignments. As they are students of higher educational levels, they are often given a bit of difficult and more descriptive topics.
See the example below and know what a descriptive essay at the university level looks like.
Short Descriptive Essay Example
Every time a descriptive essay isn't written in detail. It depends on the topic of how long the essay will be.
For instance, look at one of the short descriptive essay examples given below. See how the writer has conveyed the concept in a composed way.
Objective Descriptive Essay Example
When writing an objective description essay, you focus on describing the object without conveying your emotions, feelings, or personal reactions. The writer uses sight, sound, or touch for readers' minds to bring life into pictures that were painted by words.
Here is an example that you can use for your help.
Narrative and Descriptive Essay Example
A narrative descriptive essay can be a great way to share your experiences with others. It is a story that teaches a lesson you have learned. The following is an example of a perfect narrative descriptive essay to help you get started.
How to Start a Descriptive Essay? - Example
If you don't know how to start your descriptive essay, check this example and create a perfect one.
How to Start a Descriptive Essay - Example
Not Sure How to Begin Your Essay? Let Us Help!
Subjective Descriptive Essay Example
It is a common concept that a descriptive essay revolves around one subject. Be it a place, person, event, or any other object you can think of.
Following is one of the subjective descriptive, easy examples. Use it as a guide to writing an effective descriptive essay yourself.
Writing a descriptive essay is a time-consuming yet tricky task. It needs some very strong writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Also, this is a type of essay that a student can not avoid and bypass.
But if you think wisely, work smart, and stay calm, you can get over it easily. Learn how to write a descriptive essay from a short guide given below.
How to Write a Descriptive Essay?
A writer writes a descriptive essay from their knowledge and imaginative mind. In this essay, the writer describes what he has seen or experienced, or ever heard from someone. For a descriptive essay, it is important to stay focused on one point. Also, the writer should use figurative language so that the reader can imagine the situation in mind.
The following are some very basic yet important steps that can help you write an amazing descriptive essay easily.
- Choose a Topic
For a descriptive essay, you must choose a vast topic to allow you to express yourself freely. Also, make sure that the topic you choose is not overdone. An overdone will not grab the attention of your intended audience. Check out our descriptive essay topics blog for a variety of intriguing topic suggestions.
- Create a Strong Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is the essence of any academic writing. When you select the descriptive essay topic, then you create a strong thesis statement for your essay.
A thesis statement is a sentence or two that explains the whole idea of your essay to the reader. It is stated in the introductory paragraph of the essay. The word choice for creating the thesis statement must be very expressive, composed, and meaningful. Also, use vivid language for the thesis statement.
- Collect the Necessary Information
Once you have created the thesis statement and are done writing your essay introduction . Now, it's time to move toward the body paragraphs.
Collect all necessary information related to your topic. You would be adding this information to your essay to support your thesis statement. Make sure that you collect information from authentic sources.
To enhance your essay, make use of some adjectives and adverbs. To make your descriptive essay more vivid, try to incorporate sensory details like touch, taste, sight, and smell.
- Create a Descriptive Essay Outline
An outline is yet another necessary element of your college essay. By reading the descriptive essay outline , the reader feels a sense of logic and a guide for the essay.
In the outline, you need to write an introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs and end up with a formal conclusion.
Proofreading is a simple procedure in which the writer revises the written essay. This is done in order to rectify the document for any kind of spelling or grammatical mistakes. Thus, proofreading makes high-quality content and gives a professional touch to it.
You might be uncertain about writing a good enough descriptive essay and impress your teacher. However, it is very common, so you do not need to stress out.
Hit us up at CollegeEssay.org and get an essay written timely by our professional descriptive essay writing service .
Our essay writing service for students aims to help clients in every way possible and ease their stress. Get in touch with our customer support team, and they will take care of all your queries related to your writing.
You can always enhance your writing skills by leveraging the power of our AI essay writing tools .
Place your order now and let all your stress go away in a blink!
Barbara P (Literature)
Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.
Need Help With Your Essay?
Also get FREE title page, Turnitin report, unlimited revisions, and more!
Keep reading
OFF ON CUSTOM ESSAYS
Essay Services
- Argumentative Essay Service
- Descriptive Essay Service
- Persuasive Essay Service
- Narrative Essay Service
- Analytical Essay Service
- Expository Essay Service
- Comparison Essay Service
Writing Help
- Term Paper Writing Help
- Research Writing Help
- Thesis Help
- Dissertation Help
- Report Writing Help
- Speech Writing Help
- Assignment Help
Legal & Policies
- Privacy Policy
- Cookies Policy
- Terms of Use
- Refunds & Cancellations
- Our Writers
- Success Stories
- Our Guarantees
- Affiliate Program
- Referral Program
Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.
Mastering Descriptive Essay: A Student’s Guide
Do you want to write descriptive essays that captivate your readers and transport them to the world of your imagination? Do you want to learn how to use descriptive language effectively and creatively to convey your ideas and emotions? Do you want to improve your descriptive writing skills and impress your teachers and peers?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this guide is for you. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything you need to know about writing descriptive essays, from choosing engaging topics, to using figurative expressions and sensory details, to structuring your essay and avoiding common pitfalls. You will also find examples of effective descriptive essays, practice prompts, and additional resources to help you hone your craft. But before we dive into the details, let’s first understand what a descriptive essay is and why it is important.
What Is a Descriptive Essay?
A descriptive essay is a type of essay that requires you to describe something in detail, such as a person, place, object, event, experience, emotion, or situation. The goal of a descriptive essay is to create a vivid picture of your topic in the reader’s mind, using words that appeal to their senses and emotions.
A descriptive essay is not just a list of facts or features. It is a creative and artistic form of writing that allows you to express your personal perspective and voice. A descriptive essay is also not a narrative essay that tells a story. It is a genre that focuses on the quality and depth of description, rather than the sequence and plot of events.
Purpose and Impact of Descriptive Essay
The purpose of a descriptive essay is to engage the reader and evoke their emotions, imagination, and curiosity. A descriptive essay can have a powerful impact on the reader, as it can make them feel as if they are part of the scene, or share the same feelings as the writer. A descriptive essay can also help the writer express their thoughts, feelings, and impressions about the subject, and explore their own creativity.
Balancing Creativity and Clarity
One of the challenges of writing a descriptive essay is to balance creativity and clarity. On one hand, you want to use your imagination and originality to make your description as interesting and unique as possible. On the other hand, you want to make sure that your description is clear and coherent, and that the reader can easily follow and understand what you are describing. To achieve this balance, you need to use descriptive language, sensory details, word choice, and tone effectively.
Selecting Engaging D escriptive Essay Topics
The first step in writing is to choose a descriptive essay topic that you are interested in and passionate about. The topic should be something that you can observe or imagine in detail, and that you can describe in a way that will capture the reader’s attention and interest. Some examples of possible topics for a descriptive essay are:
- Personal experiences and memories: You can write about a memorable event, a significant person, a special place, or a meaningful object in your life. For example, you can write about your first day at school, your best friend, your favorite vacation spot, or your cherished childhood toy.
- Imaginative scenarios: You can write about a fictional or hypothetical situation, a fantasy world, a dream, or a nightmare. For example, you can write about what it would be like to travel to the moon, to live in a fairy tale, to have a superpower, or to face your worst fear.
- Unconventional angles: You can write about something that is usually overlooked, ignored, or taken for granted, but that has a hidden beauty, significance, or meaning. For example, you can write about a simple object, a mundane activity, a common phenomenon, or a subtle emotion. You can also write about something from a different perspective, such as from the point of view of an animal, an object, or a stranger.
Brainstorming Techniques
Once you have a general idea of what you want to write about, you need to narrow down your topic and come up with specific details that will make your description more vivid and engaging. To do this, you can use various brainstorming techniques, such as:
- Mind mapping: This is a technique that involves creating a visual diagram of your topic and its related ideas. You start by writing your topic in the center of a blank page, and then draw branches that connect to subtopics, and then draw more branches that connect to supporting details. This way, you can organize your thoughts and see the connections and gaps in your description.
- Freewriting: This is a technique that involves writing continuously and spontaneously, without worrying about grammar, spelling, or structure. You simply write whatever comes to your mind, without stopping or editing, for a set amount of time. This way, you can generate ideas and express your feelings and impressions about your topic.
- Collaborative discussions: This is a technique that involves talking to someone else about your topic, and asking for their feedback, opinions, and suggestions. You can also ask them questions, such as what they think, feel, or imagine when they hear your topic, or what they would like to know more about it. This way, you can get new perspectives and insights, and discover aspects of your topic that you may have overlooked or ignored.
The Art of Descriptive Language: Figurative Expressions
One of the most effective ways to make your description more interesting and unique is to use figurative expressions, such as metaphors, similes, and analogies. These are expressions that compare two things that are different, but have something in common, in order to create a striking image or convey a deeper meaning. For example:
- Metaphors: These are expressions that state that one thing is another thing, even though they are not literally the same. For example, “Her eyes were stars” is a metaphor that compares her eyes to stars, implying that they are bright, beautiful, and captivating.
- Similes: These are expressions that use the words “like” or “as” to compare two things that are similar in some way. For example, “He ran like the wind” is a simile that compares his speed to the wind, suggesting that he is very fast and agile.
- Analogies: These are expressions that use a familiar or simple situation to explain a more complex or unfamiliar one, by showing how they are similar in some way. For example, “Writing an essay is like baking a cake” is an analogy that compares the process of writing an essay to the process of baking a cake, highlighting the steps and ingredients involved in both.
Figurative expressions can help you breathe life into your descriptions, by making them more vivid, creative, and memorable. However, you should use them sparingly and appropriately, and avoid using clichés or mixed metaphors that can confuse or bore the reader.
Sensory Details
Another way to make your description more vivid and engaging is to use sensory details, which are details that appeal to the reader’s five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Sensory details can help you create vivid mental images for the reader, and make them feel as if they are experiencing what you are describing. For example, instead of writing “The room was dark and cold”, you can write “The room was shrouded in shadows, and a chill ran through my spine as I stepped inside”. Sensory details can also help you convey the mood, atmosphere, and emotion of your description, by using words that evoke positive or negative feelings. For example, instead of writing “The garden was beautiful”, you can write “The garden was a paradise of colors, fragrances, and melodies”.
Sensory details can help you make your description more realistic, immersive, and emotional. However, you should use them selectively and strategically, and avoid using too many or irrelevant details that can overwhelm or distract the reader.
Word Choice and Tone
Another aspect of descriptive language that you need to consider is your word choice and tone, which are the words and expressions that you use to communicate your message and attitude to the reader. Your word choice and tone can affect how the reader perceives and responds to your description, and whether they find it interesting, informative, persuasive, or entertaining. For example, you can use different words and tones to describe the same thing, depending on your purpose and audience. For example, if you want to describe a snake, you can use different words and tones, such as:
- Scientific: “The snake is a reptile that belongs to the suborder Serpentes, and has a long, slender, legless body covered with scales”.
- Informal: “The snake is a creepy, crawly, slithery thing that has no legs and a scaly skin”.
- Poetic: “The snake is a graceful, mysterious, sinuous creature that glides through the earth and the air”.
Your word choice and tone can help you evoke emotions, create impressions, and convey meanings in your description. However, you should use them carefully and consistently, and avoid using words or tones that are inappropriate, confusing, or contradictory for your purpose and audience.
How to Write a Descriptive Essay?
Once you have generated ideas and details for your description, you need to organize them into a clear and coherent structure. A descriptive essay typically follows a standard five-paragraph structure, which consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, you can also use other structures, such as a chronological, spatial, or thematic order, depending on your topic and purpose. Here are some guidelines on how to write your descriptive essay :
Introduction
The introduction is the first part of your essay, and it serves to introduce your topic, hook your reader, and set the scene for your description. The introduction should:
- Capture the reader’s attention with a catchy opening sentence, such as a question, a quote, a statistic, a fact, or an anecdote
- Provide some background information or context about your topic, such as its history, origin, significance, or relevance
- State your thesis statement, which is the main idea or point of your essay, and briefly outline the main aspects or features of your topic that you will describe in your essay
- Create a mood or atmosphere for your description, such as happy, sad, mysterious, or scary, and use descriptive words and phrases to appeal to the reader’s senses and emotions
For example, if you are writing a descriptive essay about your favorite place , your introduction could look something like this:
Have you ever been to a place that makes you feel calm, relaxed, and happy? A place that you can escape to whenever you need a break from the stress and chaos of everyday life? A place that fills you with joy and peace every time you visit it? For me, that place is the beach. The beach is my favorite place in the world, and I love everything about it: the sand, the water, the sun, the breeze, and the sounds. In this essay, I will describe the beach in detail, and explain why it is so special to me. As I write, I hope you can imagine yourself there, and feel the same way I do.
Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are the main part of your essay, and they serve to describe your topic in detail, using descriptive language and examples. The body paragraphs should:
- Follow the descriptive essay outline that you provided in your introduction, and describe each aspect or feature of your topic in a separate paragraph
- Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph, and support sentences to explain and illustrate your idea with specific details and examples
- Use transition words and phrases to connect your paragraphs and sentences, and create a smooth and logical flow of your description
- Vary your sentence structure and length, and use different types of descriptive language, such as figurative expressions, sensory details, and word choice, to make your description more interesting and engaging
For example, if you are writing a descriptive essay about your favorite place, your body paragraphs could look something like this:
The first thing I notice when I go to the beach is the sand. The sand is soft and warm, and it feels like a gentle massage on my feet. It comes in different colors and textures, depending on the location and the weather. Sometimes it is white and smooth, like powdered sugar. Sometimes it is yellow and coarse, like grains of salt. Sometimes it is brown and wet, like mud. I love to walk on the sand, and feel it between my toes. I also love to build sandcastles, and decorate them with shells and stones. The sand is like a canvas, where I can express my creativity and imagination.
The second thing I notice when I go to the beach is the water. The water is clear and blue, and it sparkles like diamonds in the sun. It is cool and refreshing, and it soothes my skin and my soul. It comes in different shapes and sizes, depending on the tide and the wind. Sometimes it is calm and flat, like a mirror. Sometimes it is wavy and choppy, like a roller coaster. Sometimes it is stormy and wild, like a monster. I love to swim in the water, and feel it around my body. I also love to surf on the waves, and ride them like a bird. The water is like a friend, where I can have fun and adventure.
The third thing I notice when I go to the beach is the sun. The sun is bright and warm, and it fills me with energy and happiness. It comes in different colors and intensities, depending on the time and the season. Sometimes it is yellow and mild, like a lemon. Sometimes it is orange and strong, like a fire. Sometimes it is red and intense, like a blood. I love to bask in the sun, and feel it on my face and my hair. I also love to watch the sun rise and set, and admire its beauty and majesty. The sun is like a star, where I can find inspiration and hope.
The conclusion is the last part of your essay, and it serves to summarize your description, reflect on its significance, and leave a lasting impression on your reader. The conclusion should:
- Restate your thesis statement, using different words or phrases, and remind the reader of the main aspects or features of your topic that you described in your essay
- Explain the meaning or importance of your topic, and how it relates to your personal experience, perspective, or opinion
- Provide a final comment or suggestion, such as a call to action, a recommendation, a question, or a prediction, that will make the reader think or feel something about your topic
- End with a memorable or catchy closing sentence, such as a quote, a proverb, a joke, or a compliment, that will make the reader remember your essay
For example, if you are writing a descriptive essay about your favorite place, your conclusion could look something like this:
In conclusion, the beach is my favorite place in the world, because it has everything that I love: the sand, the water, and the sun. The beach is not just a place, but a state of mind. It is a place where I can relax, have fun, and be myself. It is a place where I can escape from the problems and pressures of life, and find peace and happiness. It is a place where I can connect with nature, and appreciate its beauty and wonder. The beach is my paradise, and I hope you can visit it someday, and experience its magic for yourself. As the famous poet John Keats once said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Descriptive Essay Examples
Reading and analyzing effective descriptive essays can help you improve your own descriptive writing skills. You can see how other writers use descriptive language and structure their essays, and find inspiration and ideas for your own topics and descriptions.
You can find descriptive essay samples from various sources, such as websites, blogs, databases, libraries, books, magazines, or personal or public collections. In this chapter, we will look at some descriptive essay examples from WritingsCentre.com, a website that offers professional academic writing services, including descriptive essay writing, editing, and proofreading.
WritingsCentre.com has a team of qualified and experienced writers who are experts in descriptive essay writing, and who can handle any topic, deadline, or requirement that you have. They can write descriptive essays that are original, creative, and effective, using descriptive language and techniques that will impress your readers and teachers.
Here are some of the descriptive essay examples from WritingsCentre.com, and what you can learn from them:
- Memorable Sister’s Wedding Event
- California Dust Storm Disaster
- The Little Black Dress
- London Greatest Landmarks
- Mulatto Girl Beauty
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Writing a descriptive essay can be challenging and rewarding, but it can also be prone to some common pitfalls that can affect the quality and the effectiveness of your essay. Here are some of the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
- Overdescription: This is when you provide too much or unnecessary information or detail in your description, which can make your essay boring, confusing, or overwhelming for your reader. To avoid this, you should strike the right balance between showing and telling, avoid verbosity and redundancy, focus on the most important or relevant aspects or features of your topic, and use examples and details that support your thesis or main idea.
- Lack of focus: This is when you deviate or digress from your topic or thesis, which can make your essay unclear, inconsistent, or irrelevant for your reader. To avoid this, you should stay true to the chosen topic and thesis, eliminate or avoid distractions, use a clear and logical structure and flow, and use transition words and phrases.
- Revision: This is the process of reviewing, editing, and improving your essay, which can help you identify and correct the errors and weaknesses in your essay, and enhance its quality and effectiveness. To revise your essay, you should seek peer feedback, use self-editing techniques, and use online tools and resources.
Useful Resources for Your Inspiration
In this guide, you have learned how to write descriptive essays effectively, from choosing engaging topics, to using descriptive language, to structuring your essay, to learning from examples, to avoiding common pitfalls, to revising your essay. You have also learned about the purpose and impact of descriptive essays, and how they can help you communicate your impression and interpretation of your topic to your audience.
- Descriptive Essay Writing : A website that offers tips, examples, and exercises on descriptive essay writing, as well as a free descriptive essay generator
- Grammarly : A website that offers a powerful online grammar checker, as well as a plagiarism detector, a word choice tool, and a writing assistant
- Thesaurus.com : A website that offers a comprehensive online thesaurus, as well as a dictionary, a word of the day, and a writing tool
Utilizing Descriptive Essay Writing Services
If you need more assistance or guidance with your descriptive essay writing, you can always rely on the professional and reliable descriptive essay writing services offered by WritingsCentre.com. WritingsCentre.com is a website that provides high-quality academic writing services, including descriptive essay writing, editing, and proofreading, for students at various academic levels and disciplines.
By using WritingsCentre.com, you can benefit from the expert writers, original content, affordable prices, and customer support that they offer. You can also easily avail their descriptive essay writing services by filling out the order form, choosing the writer, communicating with the writer, receiving your descriptive essay, and enjoying your descriptive essay.
Authorization
Our Specialization
- Plagiarism-Free Papers
- Free revisions
- Free outline
- Free bibliography page
- Free formatting
- Free title page
- 24/7/365 customer support
- 300 words per page
- PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
- EDIT Edit this Article
- EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Forums Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
- Browse Articles
- Learn Something New
- Quizzes Hot
- Happiness Hub
- This Or That Game
- Train Your Brain
- Explore More
- Support wikiHow
- About wikiHow
- Log in / Sign up
- Education and Communications
- College University and Postgraduate
- Academic Writing
How to Write a Strong Descriptive Essay
Last Updated: October 5, 2024 Fact Checked
Brainstorming Ideas for the Essay
Writing the essay, polishing the essay, outline for a descriptive essay, expert q&a.
This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,534,917 times.
A good descriptive essay creates a vivid picture of the topic in the reader’s mind. You may need to write a descriptive essay as a class assignment or you may decide to write one as a fun writing challenge. Start by brainstorming ideas for the essay. Then, outline and write the essay using vivid sensory details and strong descriptions. Always polish your essay and proofread it so it is at its best.
Best Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay
Outline the essay in sections and create a thesis statement to base the essay on. Then, write a strong introduction and describe the subject matter using creative and vivid adjectives. Use similes, metaphors, and your own emotions to help you bring the topic to life.
- You could also choose a fictional person to write about, such as a character in a book, a story, or a play. You could write about a character on your favorite TV show or video game.
- Another take on this option is to write about a made-up place or object, such as the fantastical school in your favorite book or the magic wand from your favorite TV show.
- You could also choose a more specific emotion, such as brotherly love or self-hatred. These emotions can make for powerful descriptive essays.
- For example, if you were writing about a person like your mother, you may write down under “sound” : “soft voice at night, clack of her shoes on the floor tiles, bang of the spoon when she cooks.”
- If you are writing the essay for a class, your instructor should specify if they want a five paragraph essay or if you have the freedom to use sections instead.
- For example, if you were writing a descriptive essay about your mother, you may have a thesis statement like: “In many ways, my mother is the reigning queen of our house, full of contradictions that we are too afraid to question.”
- For example, if you were writing the essay about your mom, you may start with: “My mother is not like other mothers. She is a fierce protector and a mysterious woman to my sisters and I.”
- If you were writing an essay about an object, you may start with: "Try as I might, I had a hard time keeping my pet rock alive."
- You can also use adjectives that connect to the senses, such “rotting,” “bright,” “hefty,” “rough,” and “pungent.”
- For example, you may describe your mother as "bright," "tough," and "scented with jasmine."
- You can also use similes, where you use “like” or “as” to compare one thing to another. For example, you may write, “My mother is like a fierce warrior in battle, if the battlefield were PTA meetings and the checkout line at the grocery store.”
- For example, you may write about your complicated feelings about your mother. You may note that you feel sadness about your mother’s sacrifices for the family and joy for the privileges you have in your life because of her.
- For example, you may end a descriptive essay about your mother by noting, “In all that she has sacrificed for us, I see her strength, courage, and fierce love for her family, traits I hope to emulate in my own life.”
- You can also read the essay aloud to others to get their feedback. Ask them to let you know if there are any unclear or vague sentences in the essay.
- Be open to constructive criticism and feedback from others. This will only make your essay stronger.
- If you have a word count requirement for the essay, make sure you meet it. Add more detail to the paper or take unnecessary content out to reach the word count.
Reader Videos
Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!
Tips from our Readers
- Start your essay with an attention-grabbing introduction that gives a good sense of the topic.
- Make sure to check your spelling and grammar when you're done!
You Might Also Like
- ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/descriptive_essays.html
- ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/organization-and-structure/descriptive-writing.html
- ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/academic-writing/essay-outline/
- ↑ https://spcollege.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=10168248
- ↑ https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/descriptive_essay.html
- ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-tips/descriptive-writing/
- ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/reading-aloud/
- ↑ https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/12-strategies-to-writing-the-perfect-college-essay/
About This Article
To write a descriptive essay, start by choosing a topic, like a person, place, or specific emotion. Next, write down a list of sensory details about the topic, like how it sounds, smells, and feels. After this brainstorming session, outline the essay, dividing it into an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Open with a vivid introduction that uses sensory details, then introduce your thesis statement, which the rest of your essay should support. Strengthen your essay further by using metaphors and similes to describe your topic, and the emotions it evokes. To learn how to put the finishing touches on your essay, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
- Send fan mail to authors
Reader Success Stories
Joshua Aigbe
Mar 25, 2021
Did this article help you?
Subaa Subaavarshini
Jul 13, 2020
Daniel Karibi
May 13, 2021
Aug 21, 2019
Kelly Johnson
Apr 11, 2019
Featured Articles
Trending Articles
Watch Articles
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell or Share My Info
- Not Selling Info
Get all the best how-tos!
Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Need a Perfect Descriptive Essay? We Can Write It! Here are some amazing examples of a descriptive essay to make the concept easier for you. 5 paragraphs essay writing format is the most common method of composing an essay. This format has 5 paragraphs in total. The sequence of the paragraphs is as follows;
You may need to write a descriptive essay for a class or decide to try out the form for fun. To start a descriptive essay, begin by brainstorming topics and outlining the essay. [1] Then, create a strong opening for the essay so your reader is drawn into the narrative. Choose a person to describe.
Descriptive essays test your ability to use language in an original and creative way, to convey to the reader a memorable image of whatever you are describing. They are commonly assigned as writing exercises at high school and in composition classes.
To construct a successful descriptive essay, several key components must be woven together harmoniously: Sensory Details: Engage all five senses to create a rich tapestry of the scene. Describe not just what you see, but also what you hear, smell, taste, and touch. Vivid Language: Use powerful adjectives and verbs to bring your description to life.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything you need to know about writing descriptive essays, from choosing engaging topics, to using figurative expressions and sensory details, to structuring your essay and avoiding common pitfalls.
Start by brainstorming ideas for the essay. Then, outline and write the essay using vivid sensory details and strong descriptions. Always polish your essay and proofread it so it is at its best. Outline the essay in sections and create a thesis statement to base the essay on.