How to Write a Descriptive Essay on any Topic
What is a Descriptive Essay?
A descriptive essay gives the reader a mental image of a person, object, place or event using vivid sensory details.
Much more than other types of essays, descriptive essays should provide a deeply involved and vivid experience for the reader. Good descriptive essay achieves this affect by using detailed observations and descriptions.
Choosing a Topic for Descriptive Essay
Before you begin writing the descriptive essay, you need to have a clear idea why you are writing it. Was it something that was really memorable? Remember that your goal is to make the reader experience almost as clear as your past experiences.
Some goof examples for a descriptive essay are:
You favorite restaurant
Your dream house
Your ideal roommate
Your memory of a place that you visited as a child
Using the following links, you can find a lot of good topics for your descriptive essay:
Descriptive Essay Topics (1)
Descriptive Essay Topics (2)
Ideas for Descriptive Essay
Descriptive Essay Structure
Considering the right structure for your essay is one of the key points of success. Sticking to a recommended essay structure is the only way to properly outline and write it, paragraph by paragraph from the introduction to conclusion, without mistakes.
Depending on the type of descriptive approach, your essay can be organized spatially, chronologically or by importance.
Therefore, your can choose one of the following three patterns: "Spatial Order", "Chronological Order" and "Climactic Order".
Spatial Order Pattern
Spatial order of a descriptive essay is the order of space. This means that your writing moves like a movie camera, as you recall and give details.
This pattern is especially useful when your topic is a place.
It contains five paragraphs: introduction, conclusion, and three paragraphs, showing three locations within the place you are describing.
Chronological Order Pattern
Chronological order of a descriptive essay is the order of time, so your writing moves scene by scene.
This pattern is especially useful when your topic is an event.
It contains five paragraphs: introduction, conclusion, and three paragraphs, detailing the three scenes.
Climactic Order Pattern
Climactic Order is the order of importance. Usually, items are arranged from less important to more important, so you save the best point for the end of the essay.
This pattern is generic, and can be used for any topic of descriptive approach.
It contains five paragraphs: introduction, conclusion, and three paragraphs for three points / properties of the described person or object.
Did you choose an descriptive essay pattern? Great! Now...
After choosing an essay pattern, now all you need is to write your descriptive essay, on any topic, according to your pattern’s structure. Also, be sure to read the A+ writing tips for a descriptive essay on any topic below. Follow these instructions and you will write a high grading descriptive essay.
Writing an A+ Descriptive Essay
Introduction
In a descriptive essay, the introduction is very important. It gives the reader his/her first impression of the text.
Start with a short background
Everyone needs to take a break from the crazy pace of NYC lifestyle, once in a while. When I ask myself where the best place to do that is, I do not have to think for more than a second.
State the dominant impression about the subject
This can be stated outright or implied; usually anything implied adopts a "show, but not tell" approach. This approach can sometimes make a greater impression with the reader. My favorite spot in the NYC is the Van Cortlandt Park, with its long paving trails that I so much like to ride on my bike, passing jungles of trees and bushes so wild that they make you believe you have escaped the city completely, and are somewhere in the middle of a real rich forest.
Spatial Order - Location Paragraph
Specify the location
Provide the necessary factual details. Where is it? What are the main objects / people there? What is the main feeling about it?
As I moved through the dense forest of the park, I pushed away the ample fluffy branches that came in my way, trying not to hurt any of the big flat leaves, or neat, perfect acorns that covered each branch. Wanting to be closer to nature, I decided not to take the pathway but, instead, go directly through the forest. It was as if there wasn’t a sign of civilization around me at all.
Enrich the description with sensory details
Provide the visceral details relate to the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Describe your emotions and feelings.
The air was still wet from the early morning shower. While everywhere, in the open, it had already been very dry and hot, as if there wasn’t a shower at all; the shadows of the forest still preserved the moist humidity, intensified by the smell of wet moss and last year’s leaves that still lay on the ground. I loved this deep moist air, saturated with oxygen and filled with freshness.
Chronological Order - Scene Paragraph
Specify the scene
Provide the necessary factual details. When did it happen? What were the main objects / people? What was your main feeling about it?
When I started school, mom was my ally. To me, school was a world where ghosts and bad guys lurk. Instead of laughing at my fears, mom showed me how great school can be.
Enrich the description with sensory details
Provide the visceral details relate to the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Describe your emotions and feelings.
Instead of dropping me off at school, she came out of the car, knelt down, tenderly cupped my face with both hands and told me: "Don’t worry, honey. There won’t be any bad guys today, Mommy made them go away."
Climactic Order - Scene Paragraph
State the point
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the painting is the woman's smile.
Enrich the description with sensory details
Provide the visceral details relate to the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Describe your emotions and feelings.
Many believe that it is innocent and inviting, while others believe it is that of smugness and is actually a smirk. Many scientific studies have been undertaken to determine the exact nature of the smile but the real reason remains a mystery. It is believed that every person sees the smile differently because of the changes in the lighting that de Vinci presented.
Conclusion
The conclusion of a descriptive essay is just as important as the introduction. The conclusion seals the essay and tries to close the issue. Conclusion is the last part of the essay that your reader will experience.
Restate your feelings about the subject
Wrap up the description and provide final thoughts.
Although the painting looks calm, it actually hides a secret so deep, that no one, for centuries had revealed. It takes a long look at the Mona Lisa to appreciate its complex beauty.
Finalizing your Work
Pay attention that even though your essay is fully written, it still isn’t ready to submission.
There are some common and annoying mistakes which may significantly harm your grade. However, you can avoid those grade lowering mistakes by completing the following checklist:
- Check spelling and grammar
- Ensure that your essay is fully compliant with the required formatting standard
- Properly organize all the citations and the References / Works Cited page
- Ensure that your title page is done as required
- Take a final look at your paper to be certain that everything is indeed fine