how to write a proper descriptive essay

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How to write a captivating descriptive essay that paints a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.

Have you ever wanted to transport your readers to another world with your writing? To paint vivid images in their minds, evoke powerful emotions, and create a lasting impact? If so, mastering the art of descriptive writing is an essential skill that you simply cannot afford to overlook. Crafting a captivating descriptive essay requires more than just a basic understanding of language – it demands the ability to engage all five senses, to create a sensory symphony that envelops the reader.

Join us on a journey of exploration and discovery as we delve into the nuances of descriptive writing. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of composing a descriptive essay that will leave your audience spellbound. From selecting a compelling topic to employing effective literary devices, we will equip you with the tools and techniques necessary to bring your writing to life.

Along the way, we will share invaluable tips and tricks gathered from seasoned writers who have mastered the art of description. You will learn how to harness the power of strong verbs and sensory details, infuse your writing with emotion, and create a narrative that lingers in the minds of your readers. So, whether you aspire to become a novelist, a poet, or simply want to enhance your overall writing skills, this guide is your passport to unlocking the secrets of captivating descriptions.

Choose the Perfect Topic for Your Descriptive Essay

When it comes to crafting a descriptive essay, the topic you choose plays a vital role in the overall success of your writing. A well-chosen, engaging topic allows you to capture the attention of your readers and transport them into the world you are describing. In this section, we will explore the various factors to consider when selecting the perfect topic for your descriptive essay.

First and foremost, it’s important to choose a topic that you have a genuine interest in. When you are personally invested in the subject matter, it will naturally shine through in your writing. Whether it’s a place you love, a person you admire, or an experience that left a lasting impression on you, selecting a topic that resonates with you will give your descriptive essay an authentic and enthusiastic voice.

In addition to personal interest, it’s crucial to consider the audience you are writing for. Think about who will be reading your essay and what they might be interested in. Are you writing for nature enthusiasts? Foodies? Travel enthusiasts? Tailoring your topic to suit the preferences of your target audience will help to ensure that your descriptive essay is relatable and engaging to them.

Another important factor to consider when choosing a topic is the availability of descriptive elements. A good descriptive essay is characterized by vivid and sensory details that bring the subject to life. Consider whether your chosen topic has plenty of descriptive elements that you can explore and describe in your writing. For example, if you choose to write about a specific place, consider whether it has interesting sights, sounds, smells, and textures that you can vividly portray in your essay.

Lastly, it’s essential to select a topic that allows for a unique and fresh perspective. Avoid choosing overused or cliché topics that have been covered extensively. Instead, find a unique angle or approach to a common subject that will make your essay stand out. This could involve focusing on a specific aspect or moment within a broader topic, or showcasing a lesser-known aspect of a well-known subject.

By considering your personal interest, the preferences of your audience, the availability of descriptive elements, and a unique perspective, you can choose the perfect topic for your descriptive essay that will captivate your readers and make your writing truly memorable.

Create an Outline for Your Essay

Developing a clear and organized outline is an essential step in the process of crafting a well-written descriptive essay. By creating an outline, you can effectively structure your thoughts and ensure that your essay follows a logical progression. It serves as a roadmap for your writing, allowing you to focus on the main ideas and supporting details that you want to include.

Before beginning your outline, take some time to brainstorm and generate ideas. Consider the main aspects or features of the subject you are describing and think about the specific details that you want to highlight. This brainstorming process will help you establish a strong foundation for your outline and guide your writing throughout the essay.

When creating your outline, start by identifying the main sections or paragraphs of your essay. Each section should focus on a different aspect or feature of the subject. Within each section, include the specific details, examples, or evidence that you want to incorporate to support your description.

Remember to maintain a logical progression throughout your outline and essay. Start with an engaging introduction that provides some background information and sets the tone for your essay. Then, move on to the body paragraphs, which should present the main ideas or features of the subject in a clear and organized manner. Finally, conclude your essay with a thoughtful and concise summary that reinforces the main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Additionally, consider the order in which you present your ideas within each section. You may choose to present them in a chronological or spatial order, depending on the nature of the subject. Experiment with different arrangements and see which one flows best for your essay.

An outline acts as a roadmap for your essay, allowing you to navigate through the writing process with clarity and organization. By investing time in creating a solid outline, you can ensure that your descriptive essay is well-structured, coherent, and engaging.

Use Sensory Details to Bring Your Writing to Life

Engaging all five senses in your writing is essential to creating vivid and immersive descriptions. By incorporating sensory details, you can transport your readers into the world you are portraying, evoking emotions and allowing them to experience what you are describing.

Instead of simply stating that something is loud, show how the sound reverberates through the air, making your reader’s eardrums vibrate. Instead of writing that a room is cozy, describe the soft texture of the cushions, the warm glow of the fireplace, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies hanging in the air.

When you focus on sensory details, your writing comes alive. Paint a picture with words, allowing your readers to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the world you have created. Use colorful and descriptive language to appeal to the senses, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for your audience.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different sensory details. Think about the atmosphere, the different elements present, and how they affect the senses. How does the rain feel on the skin? How does the scent of flowers linger in the air? These small details can make a significant impact on the reader’s experience.

By incorporating sensory details into your writing, you can elevate your descriptive essay from a mere collection of words to a vibrant and captivating piece of art. So next time you sit down to write, remember to engage all five senses to bring your writing to life.

Organize Your Essay with Clear and Cohesive Paragraphs

When it comes to writing a descriptive essay, it is important to organize your thoughts and ideas in a clear and coherent manner. A well-structured essay not only helps the reader understand your message, but it also showcases your ability to convey information effectively.

One way to achieve this is by using clear and cohesive paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or idea related to your topic, providing detailed descriptions and supporting evidence. By dividing your essay into paragraphs, you create a logical flow that guides the reader through your thoughts.

To ensure the clarity and cohesiveness of your paragraphs, it is important to start each one with a clear topic sentence. This sentence should introduce the main idea of the paragraph and serve as a guide for the reader. From there, you can provide supporting details, examples, or evidence that further develop the main idea.

In addition to topic sentences, it is important to use transitional words and phrases to create a smooth transition between paragraphs. These words and phrases help the reader understand the connection between your ideas and how they relate to each other. Some examples of transitional words and phrases include “however,” “in contrast,” “similarly,” and “on the other hand.”

Furthermore, organizing your paragraphs in a logical order can greatly enhance the clarity and cohesiveness of your essay. Consider the most effective way to present your ideas, whether it be in a chronological order, a spatial order, or by importance. This will help the reader follow along easily and understand the progression of your thoughts.

Finally, it is important to conclude each paragraph in a way that summarizes the main points and leads into the next paragraph. This helps to maintain a strong flow throughout your essay and ensures that your ideas are well-developed and connected.

In conclusion, organizing your essay with clear and cohesive paragraphs is essential for conveying your ideas effectively. By using topic sentences, transitional words and phrases, logical order, and effective conclusions, you can create a well-structured essay that engages the reader and showcases your descriptive writing skills.

Show, Don’t Tell: Use Vivid Language and Examples

When it comes to writing a descriptive essay, it’s important to remember the old adage: “show, don’t tell.” This means that instead of simply stating facts or describing something in a straightforward manner, you should use vivid language and examples to bring your writing to life. By using descriptive language, you can create a more engaging and immersive experience for your readers.

One way to bring your writing to life is by using vivid language that appeals to the senses. Instead of simply saying that something is “big,” you can use more descriptive words like “enormous” or “massive.” Similarly, instead of saying that something is “beautiful,” you can use words like “stunning” or “breathtaking.” By choosing words that evoke strong emotions and sensory experiences, you can paint a more vivid picture in the minds of your readers.

In addition to using vivid language, it’s important to provide specific examples to support your descriptions. Instead of making broad statements about a person, place, or thing, try to include specific details that help to illustrate your point. For example, instead of saying that a beach is “peaceful,” you could describe the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the feel of the warm sand between your toes. By providing specific examples, you can help your readers to better visualize and understand what you are describing.

To further enhance your descriptive writing, you can also incorporate figurative language, such as metaphors and similes. These literary devices can add depth and richness to your descriptions by comparing one thing to another in a creative and imaginative way. For example, instead of simply saying that a sunset is “beautiful,” you could compare it to a painting that is “a fiery masterpiece, with colors that dance across the sky.”

Overall, when writing a descriptive essay, it’s important to use vivid language and examples to bring your writing to life. By creating a sensory and emotional experience for your readers, you can make your writing more engaging and memorable. So, instead of telling your readers what something is like, show them through your use of descriptive language and specific examples.

Revise and Edit Your Essay for Clarity and Conciseness

After completing the initial draft of your detailed composition, it is imperative to carefully review and modify it for clear and precise language. By revising and editing your essay, you can enhance the overall quality of your writing and effectively convey your ideas to the reader.

Begin by carefully reading through your essay, identifying any areas where your language may be unclear or confusing. Look for opportunities to rephrase sentences or clarify ideas, making sure that your message is easily understandable. By using precise vocabulary and avoiding unnecessary jargon or ambiguous terms, you can improve the clarity of your essay.

It is equally important to ensure that your writing is concise and to the point. Review each sentence and paragraph, considering whether any redundant or repetitive information can be eliminated. Aim for brevity, expressing your thoughts in a concise and straightforward manner. Remove any unnecessary qualifiers or excessive adjectives that may detract from the clarity of your essay.

Pay attention to the organization and flow of your essay as well. Check that your ideas are presented in a logical order and that your paragraphs transition smoothly from one to the next. Consider whether any information can be rearranged or added to improve the overall coherence and comprehension of your essay.

After revising for clarity and conciseness, it is crucial to proofread your essay for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors. Read through your essay multiple times, checking for any typos or inconsistencies. Consider using online tools or asking a peer to provide feedback to catch any errors you may have overlooked.

By revising and editing your essay for clarity and conciseness, you can enhance the impact of your writing. Ensure that your ideas are effectively communicated and easily understood by making precise language choices and eliminating any unnecessary or confusing information. Take the time to carefully review your essay, and you will be rewarded with a polished and well-crafted piece of writing.

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What is a Descriptive Essay? How to Write It (with Examples)

A descriptive essay is a type of creative writing that uses specific language to depict a person, object, experience, or event. The idea is to use illustrative language to show readers what the writer wants to convey – it could be as simple as a peaceful view from the top of a hill or as horrific as living in a war zone. By using descriptive language, authors can evoke a mental image in the readers’ minds, engaging readers and leaving a lasting impression, instead of just providing a play-by-play narrative.

Note that a description and descriptive essay are not the same thing. A descriptive essay typically consists of five or more well-written paragraphs with vivid imagery that can help readers visualize the content, as opposed to a description, which is typically one or more plain paragraphs with no particular structure or appeal. If you are still unsure about how to write a compelling descriptive essay, continue reading!

Table of Contents

What is a descriptive essay, types of descriptive essay topics.

• Characteristics of descriptive essays

How to write a descriptive essay using a structured outline

Frequently asked questions.

A simple descriptive essay definition is that it is a piece of writing that gives a thorough and vivid description of an object, person, experience, or situation. It is sometimes focused more on the emotional aspect of the topic rather than the specifics. The author’s intention when writing a descriptive essay is to help readers visualize the subject at hand. Generally, students are asked to write a descriptive essay to test their ability to recreate a rich experience with artistic flair. Here are a few key points to consider when you begin writing these.

• Look for a fascinating subject

You might be assigned a topic for your descriptive essay, but if not, you must think of a subject that interests you and about which you know enough facts. It might be about an emotion, place, event, or situation that you might have experienced.

• Acquire specific details about the topic

The next task is to collect relevant information about the topic of your choice. You should focus on including details that make the descriptive essay stand out and have a long-lasting impression on the readers. To put it simply, your aim is to make the reader feel as though they were a part of the experience in the first place, rather than merely describing the subject.

• Be playful with your writing

To make the descriptive essay memorable, use figurative writing and imagery to lay emphasis on the specific aspect of the topic. The goal is to make sure that the reader experiences the content visually, so it must be captivating and colorful. Generally speaking, “don’t tell, show”! This can be accomplished by choosing phrases that evoke strong emotions and engage a variety of senses. Making use of metaphors and similes will enable you to compare different things. We will learn about them in the upcoming sections.

• Capture all the different senses

Unlike other academic articles, descriptive essay writing uses sensory elements in addition to the main idea. In this type of essay writing, the topic is described by using sensory details such as smell, taste, feel, and touch. Example “ Mahira feels most at home when the lavender scent fills her senses as she lays on her bed after a long, tiring day at work . As the candle melts , so do her worries” . It is crucial to provide sensory details to make the character more nuanced and build intrigue to keep the reader hooked. Metaphors can also be employed to explain abstract concepts; for instance, “ A small act of kindness creates ripples that transcend oceans .” Here the writer used a metaphor to convey the emotion that even the smallest act of kindness can have a larger impact.

• Maintain harmony between flavor and flow

The descriptive essay format is one that can be customized according to the topic. However, like other types of essays, it must have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The number of body paragraphs can vary depending on the topic and available information.

It is crucial to remember that a descriptive essay should have a specific topic and goal, such as sharing personal experiences or expressing emotions like the satisfaction of a good meal. This is accomplished by employing exact language, imagery, and figurative language to illustrate concrete features. These language devices allow the writer to craft a descriptive essay that effectively transmits a particular mood, feeling, or incident to readers while also conjuring up strong mental imagery. A descriptive essay may be creative, or it may be based on the author’s own experiences. Below is a description of a few descriptive essay examples that fit into these categories.

• Personal descriptive essay example

A personal essay can look like a descriptive account of your favorite activity, a place in your neighborhood, or an object that you value. Example: “ As I step out of the front door, the crisp morning air greets me with a gentle embrace; the big chestnut tree in front, sways in the wind as if saying hello to me. The world unfolds in a symphony of awakening colors, promising a day filled with untold possibilities that make me feel alive and grateful to be born again”.

• Imaginative descriptive essay example

You may occasionally be required to write descriptive essays based on your imagination or on subjects unrelated to your own experiences. The prompts for these kinds of creative essays could be to describe the experience of someone going through heartbreak or to write about a day in the life of a barista. Imaginative descriptive essays also allow you to describe different emotions. Example, the feelings a parent experiences on holding their child for the first time.

Characteristics of descriptive essay s

The aim of a descriptive essay is to provide a detailed and vivid description of a person, place, object, event, or experience. The main goal is to create a sensory experience for the reader. Through a descriptive essay, the reader may be able to experience foods, locations, activities, or feelings that they might not otherwise be able to. Additionally, it gives the writer a way to relate to the readers by sharing a personal story. The following is a list of the essential elements of a descriptive essay:

• Sensory details
• Clear, succinct language
• Organized structure
• Thesis statement
• Appeal to emotion

How to write a descriptive essay, with examples

Writing an engaging descriptive essay is all about bringing the subject matter to life for the reader so they can experience it with their senses—smells, tastes, and textures. The upside of writing a descriptive essay is you don’t have to stick to the confinements of formal essay writing, rather you are free to use a figurative language, with sensory details, and clever word choices that can breathe life to your descriptive essay. Let’s take a closer look at how you can use these components to develop a descriptive essay that will stand out, using examples.

• Figurative language

Have you ever heard the expression “shooting for the stars”? It refers to pushing someone to strive higher or establish lofty goals, but it does not actually mean shooting for the stars. This is an example of using figurative language for conveying strong motivational emotions. In a descriptive essay, figurative language is employed to grab attention and emphasize points by creatively drawing comparisons and exaggerations. But why should descriptive essays use metaphorical language? One it adds to the topic’s interest and humor; two, it facilitates the reader’s increased connection to the subject.

These are the five most often used figurative language techniques: personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and allusion.

• Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that is used to compare two things while emphasizing and enhancing the description using terms such as “like or as.”

Example: Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving – Albert Einstein

• Metaphor: A metaphor are also used to draw similarities, but without using direct or literal comparisons like done in similes.   

Example: Books are the mirrors of the soul – Virginia Woolf, Between the acts

• Personification: This is the process of giving nonhuman or abstract objects human traits. Any human quality, including an emotional component, a physical attribute, or an action, can be personified.

Example: Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world – Louis Pasteur

• Hyperbole: This is an extreme form of exaggeration, frequently impractical, and usually employed to emphasize a point or idea. It gives the character more nuance and complexity.

Example: The force will be with you, always – Star Wars

• Allusion: This is when you reference a person, work, or event without specifically mentioning them; this leaves room for the reader’s creativity.  

Example: In the text below, Robert Frost uses the biblical Garden of Eden as an example to highlight the idea that nothing, not even paradise, endures forever.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay

– Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost (1923)

Descriptive essays need a combination of figurative language and strong sensory details to make the essay more memorable. This is when authors describe the subject matter employing senses like smell, sound, touch, and taste so that the reader can relate to it better.

Example of a sensory-based descriptive essay: The earthy fragrance of freshly roasted chestnuts and the sight of bright pink, red, orange fallen leaves on the street reminded her that winter was around the corner.

• Word choice

Word choice is everything in a descriptive essay. For the description to be enchanting, it is essential to utilize the right adjectives and to carefully consider the verbs, nouns, and adverbs. Use unusual terms and phrases that offer a new viewpoint on your topic matter instead of overusing clichés like “fast as the wind” or “lost track of time,” which can make your descriptive essay seem uninteresting and unoriginal.

See the following examples:

Bad word choice: I was so happy because the sunset was really cool.

Good word choice: I experienced immense joy as the sunset captivated me with its remarkable colors and breathtaking beauty.

• Descriptive essay format and outline

Descriptive essay writing does not have to be disorganized, it is advisable to use a structured format to organize your thoughts and ensure coherent flow in your writing. Here is a list of components that should be a part of your descriptive essay outline:

• Introduction
• Opening/hook sentence
• Topic sentence
• Body paragraphs
• Concrete details
• Clincher statement

Introduction:

• Hook: An opening statement that captures attention while introducing the subject.
• Background: Includes a brief overview of the topic the descriptive essay is based on.
• Thesis statement: Clearly states the main point or purpose of the descriptive essay.

Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should have

• Topic sentence: Introduce the first aspect or feature you will describe. It informs the reader about what is coming next.
• Sensory details: Use emphatic language to appeal to the reader’s senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell).
• Concrete details: These are actual details needed to understand the context of the descriptive essay.
• Supporting details: Include relevant information or examples to improve the description.

Conclusion:

• Summarize key points: Here you revisit the main features or aspects of the subject.
• Restate thesis statement: Reinforce the central impression or emotion.
• Clincher statement: Conclude with a statement that summarizes the entire essay and serve as the last words with a powerful message.

Revision and editing:

• Go over your essay to make sure it is coherent, clear, and consistent.
• Check for logical paragraph transitions by proofreading the content.
• Examine text to ensure correct grammar, punctuation, and style.
• Use the thesaurus or AI paraphrasing tools to find the right words.

A descriptive essay often consists of three body paragraphs or more, an introduction that concludes with a thesis statement, and a conclusion that summarizes the subject and leaves a lasting impression on readers.

A descriptive essay’s primary goal is to captivate the reader by writing a thorough and vivid explanation of the subject matter, while appealing to their various senses. A list of additional goals is as follows: – Spark feeling and imagination – Create a vivid experience – Paint a mental picture – Pique curiosity – Convey a mood or atmosphere – Highlight specific details

Although they both fall within the creative writing category, narrative essays and descriptive essays have different storytelling focuses. While the main goal of a narrative essay is to tell a story based on a real-life experience or a made-up event, the main goal of a descriptive essay is to vividly describe a person, location, event, or emotion.

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Need editing and proofreading services, guide to a perfect descriptive essay [examples & outline included].

• Tags: Academic Writing , Essay , Essay Writing

A descriptive essay is the most creative of all essay types. It involves the use of sensory descriptors and impactful narratives to depict an object, person, or even something abstract like an emotion. This type of essay is administered by teachers and professors to gauge your understanding of language. 

In this article, we will guide you through everything there is to know about descriptive essays. This includes the descriptive essay definition, some descriptive essay topics, and various examples. To help you in your essay-writing process, we have also included an outline of a descriptive essay. 

But let’s start from the beginning: What is a descriptive essay?

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What is a descriptive essay?

A descriptive essay is a highly creative form of writing which describes an object, person, location, experience, emotion, or situation. It makes use of vivid imagery and different figures of speech to create a beautiful and immersive experience for the reader.

This type of essay is often assigned in creative writing courses in schools or colleges. It does not involve the presentation of arguments or information. It just involves creatively expressing yourself with the help of various language devices. 

Unlike a narrative essay which involves telling a story, a descriptive essay only focuses on one particular object or idea. Although most essay topics are non-fictional, descriptive essay topics can either be fictional or non-fictional. 

Let us look at a few examples of topics for a descriptive essay.

Descriptive essay topics

Since writing a descriptive essay is a creative form of writing, it can cover a wide range of topics. These topics can range from practical experiences such as “My Grandpa’s Couch” to thought experiments such as “Living in a world with no concept of time”. 

Here are a few more descriptive essay topics:

• Exploring a ghost town
• A starry night in the mountains
• A day in the life of an explorer
• Trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Wandering through the Swiss meadows 
• My childhood home
• Memories of grandma’s farm
• Experiencing euphoria for the first time
• My description of utopia
• My most treasured possession

Descriptive essay structure

Since descriptive essays are highly creative in nature, the descriptive essay structure is much more fluid as compared to most academic essay types. Although they do follow a general structure, there is no specific descriptive essay format. It serves more as a guideline than a hard and fast rule. 

Descriptive essays generally don’t revolve around proving a point or making an argument. The goal is to simply provide a vivid and detailed description of a particular subject.   

Let’s study the basic structure of a descriptive essay:

1. Introduction

Wondering how to start a descriptive essay? Like all essay types, the introduction of a descriptive essay is composed of three key elements: A hook, some background information, and a thesis statement. 

However, the thesis statement of a descriptive essay is different from the thesis statements of most academic essays. It simply makes a claim regarding the subject of your choosing.

Here’s an example of a descriptive essay introduction: 

• Background information
• Thesis statement

The last day of school—a momentous occasion that marks the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and growth. Excitement hangs in the air as students gather for one final day of shared experiences and unforgettable memories. The hallways buzz with chatter and laughter, mingling with the anticipation of summer freedom. It’s a day of mixed emotions, as the promise of lazy days ahead clashes with the bittersweet farewell to teachers and classmates who have become like family. The last day of school is a mosaic of emotions, a snapshot of a moment that holds the weight of an entire academic journey, and a prelude to the new adventures that lie just beyond the horizon.

2. Body paragraph 

A descriptive essay usually has three body paragraphs. However, the length and number of paragraphs may vary depending on the complexity and scope of your essay topic. 

A body paragraph comprises of a topic sentence that focuses on a particular aspect of the subject. The topic sentence is elaborated upon by sensory, contextual, and emotional descriptors. Each paragraph ends with a transition sentence that provides context for the next paragraph.  

Let’s understand this better with the help of an example: 

• Topic sentence
• Description
• Transition sentence

Classrooms brim with finality and accomplishment. Doodles and scribbles now grace once-neat desks, testifying to idle daydreams and shared laughter. Colorful displays and academic achievements adorn the walls, silently witnessing each student’s growth. Empty lockers echo the countless exchanges and whispered secrets they once held. Yearbooks circulate like cherished artifacts, pages filled with smiling faces and heartfelt messages. Laughter and hugs fill the hallways as friends make promises to keep in touch and embark on summer adventures. The last day of school etches indelible memories, a tapestry of nostalgia and celebration that encapsulates the joy, camaraderie, and growth of their academic journey.

3. Conclusion

The conclusion of your essay should begin with the restatement of your thesis statement along with its broader implications. You can then provide a quick summary of all the important aspects mentioned in the body paragraphs. 

Finally, you can end your essay with a powerful statement or a clincher. This can include anything from a powerful lesson to a thought-provoking quote. The goal is to leave the reader with something to think about.

Here’s an example: 

• Restated thesis statement
• Summary of body paragraphs
• Concluding statement

As the final bell echoes through the hallways and students scatter in all directions, school leaves behind a lingering sense of closure and anticipation. It is a day filled with mixed emotions—a blend of nostalgia for the memories created, gratitude for the knowledge gained, and excitement for the new chapter that awaits. The last day of school symbolizes a milestone in each student’s journey, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It is a time to reflect on the growth, challenges overcome, and friendships forged along the way. The last day of school is not an end, but rather a stepping stone towards new horizons, where each student will continue to learn, explore, and thrive.

Now that we’ve understood how to structure a descriptive essay, let’s figure out how to write it!

How to write a descriptive essay

In order to write a perfect descriptive essay you must effectively make use of multiple creative writing devices. These creative writing devices include figures of speech, imagery, sensory and emotional descriptors, as well as evocative language.  

If you find the essay writing process challenging, we’re here to equip you with essential tips on writing a descriptive essay. Let’s take a look at how to write a descriptive essay: 

1. Use figures of speech

Literary devices such as similies, metaphors, and imagery are creative devices that describe an object or a person in a figurative sense. These creative devices add an element of interest to your essay, making it more vivid, vibrant, and colorful. 

The use of figures of speech can turn an otherwise boring piece of writing into a masterpiece. Take a look at the following example:

On that spot stood an old banyan tree with thick bark and intertwining branches.

Although this example is a good start, it can be made much more interesting with the use of figures of speech.

On that spot stood an old banyan tree with its resolve as strong as iron. Its arms intertwined as they reached for the skies, yearning for the sun.  

The use of literary devices such as personification and metaphor makes the banyan tree in the second example come to life. This is how you can make your writing more vivid, descriptive, and poetic.

2. Use your senses

Sensory descriptors are one of the most important aspects of a descriptive essay. The key is to make the reader experience what you’ve experienced. This means appealing to all five senses of the reader. 

Although the visual aspect is important, you should also focus on how something sounds, feels, and smells. The experience of touching, smelling, or feeling something is more evocative than simply viewing it. 

Some sensory descriptors are used in a literal sense:

The smell of rain in July takes me back to my childhood. The pitter-patter reminds me of my mother’s footsteps, bringing us delicious snacks. 

They can also be used metaphorically:

The beautiful, cold gaze of the moon stunned us all.

3. Use evocative language

It is a good idea to use strong, evocative language that conveys an intense action or emotion. Creative use of words is an important factor in writing a descriptive essay since passive language leads to a dull, boring essay.  Let’s take a look at the following sentences: 

The 100-meter race was completed by Usain Bolt in under 10 seconds.

Usian Bolt whizzed through the 100-meter race in under 10 seconds!

The use of the word “completed” indicates no action and the use of passive voice makes the example dull. On the other hand, the phrase “whizzed through” indicates speed and intensity which makes the second example much more interesting to read.

Now that we’ve understood the different methods of writing a descriptive essay, let’s understand its outline.

Descriptive essay outline

The outline of a descriptive essay is less structured compared to most academic essay types. It merely serves as a guideline that you can use to flesh out your essay. It also helps you develop a coherent structure and logical flow for your topic sentences. 

In order to help you further develop your essay, we’ve created an outline for your reference. The following descriptive essay outline revolves around the nostalgia experienced when going through an old diary.

Turning the Pages of Time

I. Introduction

A. Hook: Engaging opening sentence to grab the reader’s attention.

B. Background: Briefly explain the significance of finding your old diary and the memories associated with it.

C. Thesis statement: Clearly state the main idea of the essay, highlighting the emotional journey of rediscovering your old diary.

II. The discovery

A. Setting the scene: Describe the circumstances and location where you stumbled upon your old diary.

B. Initial emotions: Express the range of emotions that flooded your mind upon finding the diary.

C. Anticipation: Share the anticipation and curiosity about what lies within the pages of the diary.

III. The diary’s contents

A. Opening the pages: Describe the physical act of opening the diary and the smell and texture of the pages.

B. Memories unfolded: Reflect on the memories and experiences captured in the diary entries.

C. Emotional impact: Discuss the emotional response evoked by reading your own words and reliving past moments.

IV. Nostalgic reflections

A. Time traveling: Explain how reading the diary transported you back to the time and place when the entries were written.

B. Reconnecting with your past self: Describe the process of reconnecting with your past self and reevaluating your thoughts and experiences.

C. Lessons and insights: Highlight any valuable lessons, self-discoveries, or personal growth revealed through the diary’s contents.

V. Resonating with present self

A. Relevance to current life: Discuss how the insights and reflections from the diary still resonate with your present self.

B. Perspective shifts: Explain any shifts in perspective or newfound understanding that arose from revisiting the diary.

C. Appreciation: Express gratitude for the diary and its role in preserving and enriching your personal history.

VI. Cherishing the rediscovery

A. Preservation: Discuss the steps you took to preserve and protect the diary after finding it.

B. Future reflections: Share your intentions and plans for continuing the habit of journaling or preserving personal memories.

C. Closing thoughts: Reflect on the lasting impact of finding your old diary and the value of personal reflection and self-expression.

VII. Conclusion

A. Recap: Summarize the emotional journey of rediscovering your old diary.

B. Significance: Emphasize the personal and emotional significance of reconnecting with your past self through the diary.

C. Closing remarks: Conclude with a reflection on the power of personal artifacts and the importance of preserving one’s history.

Now that we have taken a look at the descriptive essay structure let’s look at an example.

Descriptive essay example

To help you better understand the process of descriptive essay writing, we’ve constructed an example. The following example revolves around an imaginary situation. It describes the writer’s voyage through the cosmos.

Exploring the Cosmos

As the rocket engines ignited, the powerful thrust propelled us into the vast expanse of space. The vibrations rattled through the cabin, merging with the palpable anticipation that filled the air. We were embarking on a remarkable journey through the cosmos, leaving behind the familiarity of Earth and venturing into the unknown.

Outside the small window, the twinkling stars grew brighter, casting a mesmerizing glow on the infinite darkness. The view was awe-inspiring as if we were floating amidst a sea of diamonds, each one beckoning us to explore its mysteries. The depth and grandeur of space stretched out before us, reminding us of the minuscule nature of our existence in the universe.

As we traversed through the cosmic void, weightlessness engulfed our bodies, releasing us from the Earth’s gravitational pull. Every movement became a ballet, effortlessly gliding from one corner of the spacecraft to another. The sensation was both exhilarating and disorienting as if the boundaries of physical limitations had dissolved.

The silence in space was profound, a symphony of tranquility. Without the interference of atmospheric sounds, we were left with the gentle hum of the spaceship’s systems and the rhythmic beating of our own hearts. It was a humbling reminder of the vastness and serenity that lay beyond our home planet.

Farther into our journey, celestial bodies came into view, captivating us with their sheer beauty. The fiery hues of neighboring planets illuminated the darkness, displaying their own distinct personalities. We marveled at the majestic rings of Saturn, a delicate masterpiece encircling the giant planet, and the crimson swirls of Jupiter, a tempestuous giant with its own cosmic dance.

Time seemed to lose its grip on the vastness of space. Hours felt like mere moments as we traveled through light-years, witnessing the unimaginable beauty of celestial phenomena. We were reminded of the sheer magnitude of the cosmos, a testament to the wonders that lie beyond our earthly confines.

Eventually, the time came for us to return to our home planet. As we reentered Earth’s atmosphere, the fiery descent illuminated the sky, marking our triumphant return. The journey through space left an everlasting mark on our souls, forever changing our perception of our place in the universe.

Our journey was more than a physical exploration; it was a voyage of wonder and introspection. It taught us the fragility and interconnectedness of all things and ignited an insatiable curiosity to continue unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. We were forever transformed by the immensity and beauty that awaited us beyond our pale blue dot in the vast expanse of space.

After writing the essay, it’s important to edit and proofread it, which is a not easy. If you find essay editing challenging, you can consider taking the help of an essay editing service .  

Want to keep reading? Here are the newest articles we’ve worked on:

• How to Start an Essay
• Expository Essays | Step-by-Step Manual
• How to Write an Argumentative Essay
• Types of Essays
• Compare and Contrast Essay

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a descriptive essay, how to conclude a descriptive essay, how long should a descriptive essay be, what are the five parts of a descriptive essay, what are the two types of descriptions.

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How to Write a Descriptive Essay

4-minute read

• 26th February 2020

A descriptive essay, as the name may suggest, is an essay in which you describe something. The idea is to create a vivid picture of something – a person, object, place or experience – for your reader.

But how do you write a descriptive essay? We have a few helpful tips to share.

1. Brainstorming and Organizing Your Ideas

Your first step should be to brainstorm ideas . Think about the qualities of what you’re describing. As well as physical qualities, make notes about any thoughts, memories, and emotions you associate with your subject matter.

This brainstorming will give you the raw material for your descriptive essay. The next step is to create an essay outline. Typically, this will include:

• An Introduction – An outline of what you will describe and the “thesis” for your essay (i.e., a key theme that will run through your essay and guide your description). For instance, if writing about an inspirational teacher, you could mention the importance of education in the introduction.
• Main Body – A series of paragraphs in which you describe your subject. Each paragraph should cover a single main point, then lead neatly on to the next one, adding to the overall picture you’re creating for the reader.
• Conclusion – A final paragraph where you summarize your overall essay. This is also a good place to reaffirm your essay thesis, emphasizing how your description reflects this.

Before you start writing, then, make some notes about what each paragraph in your essay will include. This will then guide the drafting process, making sure your essay has a clear structure.

2. Use Vivid, Sensory Language

A descriptive essay should paint a picture for your reader. And this means you need to use vivid, exciting language rather than a formal, academic tone. Ideas for making your essay more linguistically engaging include:

• Using sensory language to evoke how something looked, smelled, etc.
• Writing in the present tense to make the situation feel immediate.
• Describing feelings and thoughts elicited by the subject of your essay.
• Looking for dynamic adjectives and adverbs to use (e.g., you could say something made you “happy,” but “elated” or “delighted” may be stronger).
• Using metaphors, similes, and other literary techniques .

Keep your introduction in mind while writing. The language you use should serve the “thesis” you set out there, drawing the reader’s attention to specific aspects of the thing you’re describing.

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3. Show, Don’t Tell

“Show, don’t tell” refers to a technique used by authors to make their writing more engaging. Essentially, all this means is using action, description, and dialogue to paint a picture for the reader rather than simply stating something in plain language. We can see the difference below:

Telling: Miss Hardy was an engaging speaker.

Showing: When Miss Hardy spoke, everyone listened. Her voice bubbled with enthusiasm, bringing even the most mundane subjects to life.

In the first sentence, we simply tell the reader that Miss Hardy was an engaging speaker. But in the second, we try to help the reader picture being in her class, listening to her speak. And by engaging the reader’s imagination like this, we can make our description more memorable.

4. Editing and Proofreading Your Descriptive Essay

Once you have a first draft, you’ll be ready to start editing. The idea here is to go back over your essay – at least once, but possibly multiple times – to look for ways you could improve it. This drafting process may involve:

• Making sure your writing is clear, well structured, and impactful.
• Rewriting passages that feel clichéd or that could be stronger.
• Reading your essay out loud to see how well it flows.
• Ensuring that the central theme of your essay is present throughout.

And when you’ve finished redrafting, go through the essay one more time to remove any typos that remain. Alternatively, you can submit your descriptive essay for proofreading . With the expert eye of a professional editor on your side, you can be confident your writing is the best it can be.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Descriptive Essays

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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.

How To Write A Descriptive Essay?

26 April, 2020

11 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

Descriptive essay is one of the hardest forms of writing. To master descriptive writing, you must be creative and craft a scene that all readers can picture with words alone. This freedom and creativity can make it one of the most rewarding and fun essays to write. It is the backbone of all artful writing like poetry, novels, and even television scripts. We prepared this guide for You to learn all you need to know about descriptive writing. Let's start!

What is a Descriptive Essay?

The goal of a descriptive essay is simple, choose a subject and describe it. The subject could be anything:

A descriptive essay is all about describing the subject in great detail. Being a type of expository writing , it gives you great freedom to paint a picture with your words, shares a once in a lifetime event with the reader or makes them feel something.  It is better to choose a descriptive essay topic that has lots of qualities to discuss for example a person might have a more interesting feature to describe than a paper towel. Choose a subject you connect with emotionally or have a personal history with. The best descriptions come from retelling an experience.

The Difference Between Descriptive and Narrative Essays

The main difference between descriptive and narrative essays lies in the structure and purpose of the essay. A descriptive essay is used to describe a subject to present a clear picture of it. As such, it only requires you to describe the item in a logic fashion. A narrative essay’s purpose is to tell a story. As such, it requires a plot and logical progression to an outcome. A person’s face can be the subject of a descriptive essay. But it would be hard to write a narrative piece that follows the person’s face as the central plot of a story.

Showing VS Telling

A descriptive essay values details over facts. This is also known as showing vs. telling. To  show  something is to describe using the five senses, how it looks, how it smells, how it tastes, how it feels and how it sounds. Imagine the reader as an alien, who has never experienced the subject for themselves. How would you describe it then?

To give you an understanding of how to differentiate between showing and telling I’ll write an example of a descriptive paper that describes my favorite place.

The above example tells you, as it doesn’t evoke any of your senses. It is a senseless description . It’s vague and hard to imagine.

This description is more detail and easier to imagine because of the following changes:

• The choice of words like ‘haven’ instead of ‘like’ add a showing element as it is showing in what way I like the library.
• Putting describers before items like ‘brightly colored’ books makes it easier to see.
• And choosing words with more like ‘towering’ instead of ‘tall’ makes the description less full.
• The description of the books shows what they do, not what they are. These are important points to consider when writing a descriptive essay.

A good exercise for descriptive writing and is to read descriptive essay examples and pick out the words that do the four points outlined above. Analyzing other’s descriptive writing will make your own descriptive work stronger. Can you pick out another place in the descriptive essay example above where those four changes occur and what it lends to the description?

Still having problems with your descriptive paper? All you need is to request help from our top-notch essay writing service and our essay writer make it for you !

How to Choose a Descriptive Essay Topic?

When deciding what to highlight about your topic, take a step back and look at what draws you to it. A campfire has bright, flickering colors, a satisfying crackling sound, and a sort of flow as it moves from the bottom to the tip of the flame. Place yourself in proximity to the subject and describe the parts that stimulate your senses the most.

Title Examples of Descriptive Essays

Here are some examples of descriptive essay topics that are fun to write:

Pick something you can see right now and think about how you’d describe that.

Related Posts: Argumentative essay topics | Compare&Contrast essay topics

How to Set Up a Proper Description?

Slow down and think about what you want to invoke. Don’t rush into a description or you’ll likely end up with something weaker than you could have. Take your topic aside and write some sentences describing how it charms each sense – the five senses being:

Keep a thesaurus on hand to switch some of the more basic words out. If you can read your paragraph back and vividly imagine the item you’ve described, you’ve done it.

How to write a Descriptive Essay Outline

Starting your descriptive essay without a plan can lead to a messy and sprawling description.  Learning to outline your ideas is just as important as knowing how to write them.

Related Posts: How to write an Essay outline  | How to write an Essay introduction  

 Creating an Introduction for a Descriptive Writing

Once you have chosen the subject to write you need to plan the introduction for your descriptive paper. An introduction needs to include a thesis statement and three features of the thing you are describing.   The introduction should start with a thesis statement that states how you feel about your topic. This should then be supported with three qualities defining those feelings.

These thesis statements aren’t meant to be complex. All they’re meant to do is to set up your reader for your descriptions. It is important to include three reasons that you can expand on describe in great detail as they will form the paragraphs of your descriptive paper.

Planning and Writing the Body of a Descriptive Essay

Looking at your thesis statement, take those three reasons and break them down into their own paragraphs. Describe hanging out with your friends at the beach, talk about the food you’d eat, the activities you’d participate in. Detail what huskies do when they’re energetic, what shows that they get along with other dogs?

It helps to write about each way you can describe an item on a separate sheet of paper. Use that sheet as your descriptive essay outline. Take each item and write what sense you can use to describe the item in each paragraph.

For example, if you want to talk about eating a popsicle on the beach you could include how cold against your tongue for touch, that it smelt and tasted like raspberries, it was a bright red, and shaped like a rocket for sight, and the sound you made it as you bit on it, or the sound you made as it rocketed into your mouth. Expand this into a paragraph keeping the most vivid description.

Force your reader to imagine these objects in their head. Help them visualize it, pour your vision into the paper and focus on both the small and the big details. Just don’t go overboard. It’s important to have a few great descriptors rather than a ton of average ones.

When describing an object, go about it in a practical sense. Don’t just throw details on the page, talk about them in order. Describe a mountain from its peak to it’s middle all the way down to its base. You wouldn’t go from the middle to the base to the peak, would you? This way, you’re keeping your reader engaged with the topic.

Concluding a Descriptive Essay

Concluding descriptive writing is easy. All you have to show why the subject you described is important to you. All you have to do is show the reader what you implied. Show why it has meaning, and why they should care.

Descriptive Essay Example

Drafting your essay.

Where the organization comes to fruition. When writing your essay, keep the reader in your head at all times. Constantly as yourself: “Is this vivid enough?” Don’t focus much on grammar, get the content onto the paper.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Once you’ve finished writing your essay, read it back and make sure it responds positively to each of these questions:

• Are these descriptions making my writing visual? Could I make them more vivid?
• Have I used these descriptions to detail my emotions to the reader?
• Do these descriptions convey each of the five senses?
• Have I gone into enough details in each paragraph?
• Are my descriptions in an orderly fashion?

If you believe your essay fits these criteria, then you’re good to go on the content side.

Perfecting the Essay

Read it through a couple more times. Take some time away from it and then come back with a fresh mindset.  Correct any grammar issues you see, and double check that it answers all of the questions mentioned above. Once that’s done, you’ll have an essay worthy of an A+ grade.

From Our Writers: Tips on How to Write a Good Descriptive Essay

• Be sensitive. Some writers are scared to show their true selves, but the point of a descriptive essay is to talk about how an object affects your senses and emotions. Keep this in mind during all stages of the essay.
• Put effort into unique descriptions. Don’t settle for standard words, spend some time searching out alternatives to common descriptive words. It will only help the reader envision your thoughts.
• Write about something that you care about. If you choose something you don’t have much personal experience with, you can’t truly write from the heart.

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How to write a descriptive essay

Published September 27, 2020. Updated April 21, 2022.

Descriptive Essay Definition

A   descriptive essay  is a type of paper where the writer describes an experience, person, place, or object (the essay topic) in great detail .  

Overview of a Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay is written in order to have the reader experience a person, place, object, event, or thing just as the writer did. In a   descriptive essay,  the writer uses several descriptions to communicate what the topic was like to the reader. These descriptions usually relate to the five senses (sight, touch, sound, smell, taste). These essays also use descriptive language, such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, and emotive language. A descriptive essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.

This page will cover the following points:

Key takeaways

What is description, five senses, descriptive language, possible topics for a descriptive essay, what is a descriptive essay, parts of an essay.

• Describe your topic using the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
• Use descriptive language, such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, and emotive language.
• Remember: a descriptive essay is still an essay and should have a thesis or argument that brings your ideas together.
• A descriptive essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion.

How do you describe someone or something?

My Aunt Tilly wears sundresses with flowers, drinks sweet ice tea, smells like magnolias, and calls everyone ‘darlin.’’

This sentence describes a person. You see what Aunt Tilly wears, you know what she drinks, you have an idea of what she smells and sounds like. All of those descriptions involve the senses.

After finishing that physics exam, I feel like I was put through a wood chipper!

This sentence is comparing one thing – a physics exam – to another thing – being put through a wood chipper. That kind of comparison is called a simile. What does that tell you? Being put through a wood chipper sounds pretty violent: you go in whole and come out in little pieces.

My cat starts demanding to speak to the manager when her dinner is late.

This sentence shows an animal doing a human action: demanding to speak to the manager. This is called personification – when we give human attributes to non-human things (including animals).

All of these are techniques used in descriptive writing.

To help you write a descriptive essay, this guide will:

• walk you through different description techniques
• list some descriptive topics you can write about
• show what a descriptive essay needs in order to be an essay
• take you through the parts of a descriptive essay, with a sample

Ready to dive in?

The five senses are:

Writing what you SEE is the easiest and most common kind of descriptive writing using the five senses. The further down the list you go, the more difficult and less common the description. But the more evocative it is as well, because the reader needs to use more imagination to understand.

Look at the following descriptions about a pair of slippers:

My favorite slippers are brown suede with shearling inside.

When I walk down the hall wearing my favorite slippers, each step whispers “shhh, shhh, shhh.”

My feet feel cuddled by a cloud when I wear them.

My old slippers smell like my sixth-grade gym locker room.

I’m sure my slippers would taste like rancid corn chips.

Each of those descriptions gives you some idea about the slippers. The first description of what they look like is pretty straightforward – and a little boring, isn’t it?

But as you read down the list of descriptions, they become more interesting because the senses they’re using are not as common. What do you imagine about slippers that taste like rancid corn chips?

As you write a descriptive essay, try to work in as many of the five senses as you can.

In addition to using the five senses, you can also use descriptive language.

A simile is a figure of speech comparing two things using the words “like” or “as”:

The crow was cawing, loud as a scream.

The water in the stream was flowing slowly, like an old man out for a stroll.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing as another, without using the words “like” or “as”:

The children in the playground were a gaggle of geese, squawking and running everywhere.

Grandma’s cotton candy hair was arranged in an elaborate pouf.

Personification

Personification is a figure of speech giving human qualities to non-human things:

In late winter, the trees cry maple syrup tears.

The baby deer skittered on the frozen pond like a girl just learning to ice skate.

Hyperbole is an overly exaggerated statement:

I hugged him like I wanted to fuse our two bodies into one.

Christmas was three days away, an eternity for young Emily.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it’s describing:

We walked along the gravel, our shoes crunching down the path.

The bag of cement landed on the ground with a definitive thump.

Emotive language

Emotive language is deliberately using certain words to elicit an emotional response.

Look at these two sentences:

The intimidating coach told us how we were going to execute the next play.

This sentence tells you what happened. If you remove the word “intimidating,” would you feel afraid of that coach? No, you’d have no reason to. There is no emotion attached to that sentence.

The coach barked directions for the next play, stabbing her finger in the air for emphasis.

This sentence, however, shows you what happened. The fact that the coach barked orders gives an impression of harsh, loud words. Stabbing her finger for emphasis also sounds scary. You don’t need the word “intimidating” in this sentence since the words convey that emotion already.

Now that we’ve discussed different techniques for describing, where could you apply them? What kinds of descriptive essays can you write?

Describe a person

• Describe a person who inspires you
• Describe your favorite book character

Describe a place

• Describe your ideal vacation
• Describe your dream home

Describe a situation

• Describe your proudest moment
• Describe a time you felt paralyzed by fear

Describe an event

• Describe your happiest birthday party
• Describe the first time you spoke in public

Describe a behavior

• Describe how you acted during a breakup
• Describe a child having a tantrum

A descriptive essay is definitely an essay, with all of the requirements that any essay has: a topic, organization, flow, information, etc.

While you could just ramble on and on describing a person you love, if your writing doesn’t have a point, if it’s not organized, and if it doesn’t conclude, then it’s not an essay.

Depending on what you’re describing, you can choose different ways to organize your essay. For example, if you’re describing a person, you might want to describe them physically first, then emotionally, intellectually, or psychologically. Start with the outside, and work your way in.

If you’re describing a place, you might want to organize your writing spatially. A room could be described from one side to the other. A town could be described as if you were walking or driving through it.

If you’re describing an event or a situation, you might want to describe it chronologically. First this happened, then this, then that.

Every essay you write will have three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Think of the organization of an essay like this:

• Intro – Tell your reader what you’re going to write about.
• Body – Write about it.
• Conclusion – Tell them what you wrote about.

Let’s go through each of those parts for a descriptive essay. Each part will include a sample.

Introduction

You want to begin your essay with a hook. A hook is an interesting opening that “catches” your reader’s attention and makes them want to read more. Your hook is usually the first sentence. It doesn’t have to be about what you’re describing – that comes a little later – but it needs to be connected to your topic somehow.

After you’ve hooked the reader, you want to give some context, or background information. Think of each sentence in your intro as a stepping stone. Each sentence brings you closer to your thesis statement.

Once you’ve given some context, write a thesis statement, which tells the reader exactly what they’re going to read about. Think of it like a map to the rest of your essay.

Sample introduction

Can you identify the hook, background information, and thesis statement in this sample?

I grew up in the suburbs, surrounded by formulaic houses on streets laid out in a grid with trees evenly spaced on the sidewalks. As a child of the suburbs, I dreamed of traveling. To where? Basically, anywhere on Earth but there. I wanted to see the world in all its diverse wonder. My dream came true when I turned 20 and got to sail in the Caribbean.

A typical essay will have between one and three body paragraphs, although you can write as many as you need (or as many as your teacher assigns you). Regardless of how many body paragraphs you have, they will all be organized in a similar manner.

Start with a topic sentence to show your reader what is coming up. This is a general sentence that gives an overview of that paragraph. It should also logically connect to the thesis statement.

The substance of a descriptive body paragraph is, of course, the descriptions. Whatever you’re describing, it goes here.

End a body paragraph with a sentence that summarizes what you wrote or that leads into the next paragraph.

Sample body paragraphs

Can you identify the topic sentences in each body paragraph? Can you identify the different kinds of description? Which sentences include description using the five senses? Which use descriptive language like similes, personification, and onomatopoeia?

My family and I flew into the St. Vincent airport and were met by my father’s friend, Jack, who was going to take us around the island on his sailboat. We would be sailing for a week: four adults in a 50-foot schooner. As soon as we exited the airport, my sunglasses fogged up from the heat and humidity. A sheen of perspiration covered my bare arms. I took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of palm trees and hibiscus. Jack drove us out to the marina, where we caught our first glimpse of our new accommodations.

The sailboat was tied up to a pier, floating on water of a color I thought only existed through Instagram filters. The boat itself was rocking gently, like a baby in a bassinet. When I first looked at the vessel, I wondered how four adults would fit into this floating contraption. Once we stepped inside, though, I saw how well organized the space was. There was room for all of us to move about comfortably, even if it was unsettling at first to walk on a floor that was also moving. Jack told us how to untie the lines and off we went, into the Caribbean Sea.

The first day, we sailed partway around the island, then found an anchorage in time for sunset. The sky changed from blue to yellow to orange and pink, and finally to gray. The moon was like a spotlight, creating twinkling sparkles on the water. Our anchorage was next to a small island, a rock covered with trees that came to life as the sun set. An orchestra of sounds erupted from the island, peeps and chirps and whistles filling the salty air around us. We ate dinner in the cockpit, feeling the boat rocking gently with the rising and falling of the swell.

This is how your essay ends and the last impression your reader takes away.

Conclude your essay by reminding the reader of your thesis statement (in the introduction). Then, summarize main points from your essay.

If you want, end with a closing statement: an idea that you want your reader to walk away with.

Sample conclusion

Can you identify the sentence that returns to the thesis statement? Can you identify the summary of the main points? Can you identify a closing statement?

I had wanted something different than my cookie-cutter suburb, and that year, my dream came true. I sailed in the Caribbean, feeling the wind in my hair and the water on my skin; seeing colors I didn’t believe existed; smelling green vegetation; and hearing birds, insects, and frogs living their best lives. I confirmed that travel is something I needed in my life. That sailboat in St. Vincent was just the beginning.

Example descriptive essay on  Sailing in St. Vincent’s

If you would like the downloadable version, open the  descriptive essay example .

Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.

Published August 19, 2020

By Halina Stolar. Halina has a Master’s degree in teaching and taught English as a Second Language and writing for almost 15 years overseas. She now works as a freelance writer and geeks out over grammar for fun.

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How to Write a Descriptive Essay

Step 1: Choose a topic

A descriptive essay will usually focus on a single event, a person, a location or an item. When you write your essay, it is your job to convey your idea about that topic through your description of that topic and the way that you lay things out for your reader. You need to show your reader (not tell them) what you are trying to describe by illustrating a picture in their mind’s eye very carefully.

Your essay needs to be structured in a manner that helps your topic to make sense. If you are describing an event, you will need to write your paragraphs in chronological order. If you are writing about a person or a place you need to order the paragraphs so that you start off in a general manner and then write more specific details later. Your introductory paragraph sets the tone for the rest of the essay, so it needs to set out all of the main ideas that you are going to cover in your essay.

Step 2: Create a statement

The next step is to create a thesis statement. This is a single idea that will be prominent throughout your essay. It not only sets out the purpose of the essay, but regulates the way that the information is conveyed in the writing of that essay. This is an introductory paragraph that sets out your topic framework.

Step 3: Get the senses right

Next, create five labelled columns on a sheet of paper, each one having a different of the five senses. This labelled list will help you to sort out your thoughts as you describe your topic – the taste, sight, touch, smell and sound of your topic can be sketched out among the columns. List out in the columns any sensation or feeling that you associate with the topic that you are writing about. You need to provide full sensory details that help to support the thesis. You can utilize literary tools such as metaphors, similes, personification and descriptive adjectives.

Once you have the columns laid out you can start to fill them with details that help to support your thesis. These should be the most interesting items that you have noted in your columns and will the details that you flesh out into the paragraphs of the body of your essay. Topics are set out in each separate paragraph and a topic sentence begins that paragraph and need to relate to your introductory paragraph and your thesis.

Step 4: Create an outline

The next step is to create an outline listing the details of the discussion of each paragraph. Students in high school are generally asked to write a five paragraph essay while college students are given more freedom with the length of their piece. The standard five paragraph essay has a particular structure including the introductory paragraph with the inclusion of a thesis statement, followed by three body paragraphs which prove that statement.

Step 5: Write the conclusion

Finally, the conclusion paragraph makes a summary of the entirety of your essay. This conclusion also needs to reaffirm your thesis (if necessary). Your conclusion needs to be well written because it is the final thing to be read by your reader and will remain on their mind the longest after they have read the remainder of your essay.

Step 6: Review your essay

It is important to take a break from your writing once you have completed the work. By stepping away from the work for a short time you can clear your mind and take a short rest. You can then take a look at the essay with fresh eyes and view it in much the same way that a person reading it will when they first see the piece.

After you have taken a short break or a walk (or whatever the case may be), read the entire essay again thinking about your reader. You should ask yourself if you were the reader, would the essay make sense to you? Is it easy to read so that anyone can understand what the topic of the essay is? Do any of the paragraphs need to be rewritten because they are confusing and need to be better written to be descriptive?

Your choice of words and language need to convey what you are trying to describe when you talk about a particular topic. The details that you have provided should give your reader enough information that they can form a complete picture. Any details in the essay should help a reader to understand the meaning of the topic from the writer’s point of view.

Read your entire essay over again, out loud this time. Sometimes reading something out loud can help to identify any issues that should be worked out. Read the essay again to a friend or family member and have them give you any criticisms that they might have. Have someone else ready your essay and then ask them if anything needs to be clarified or if they received a clear picture from the details given in the essay.

Step 7: Finish it up

Finally, read your essay again very carefully and check for any grammar, punctuation or spelling errors that are obvious within the essay. If you find any clichés, be sure to delete them, they certainly do not belong in your essay. If there are any parts that are not completely descriptive or don’t make as much sense as you would like them to, rewrite them once again and then follow the proof reading and reading aloud process again to ensure that the final product is exactly as expected. You can never be too thorough when it comes to reading the essay over again and checking for any areas that need to be reworked.

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Descriptive Essay: Definition, Examples & Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay

When you are asked to write an essay , there are many different types to choose from. One such type is the descriptive essay which is favoured by a lot of authors. In this article, we are going to be looking at the descriptive essay in a little more detail such as what they are used for and how you can write a good descriptive essay yourself. We are also going to take a look at an example of a well written descriptive essay and a selection of topics about which you could write.

What Is A Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay is one which is used in order to describe something. These essays can describe anything from a person or place to an item or idea. The idea of the descriptive essay is to give the author a chance to hone their writing skills by way of description. On top of this, the descriptive essay is a great chance for the author to use their creative skills – the more vivid the description, the more the reader can picture clearly what is being talked about. This means that the writer should employ all their skills to paint an image for the audience.

How To Write A Good Descriptive Essay

Now that we have a good understanding of what a descriptive essay is, we are going to take a look at some handy tips for how to write one and the process that should be followed in order to create a convincing descriptive essay.

Choose A Topic

Any essay requires an engaging topic and the descriptive essay is no exception to this rule. When choosing a topic, you should choose something which you have an interest in as this will make you more passionate about your writing. There are a whole host of things you could write about so let’s take a look at some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

• Describe a summer holiday.
• Describe your oldest memory.
• Describe a member of your family .
• Describe a book you have read.
• Describe a movie you have seen.
• Describe an invention.
• Describe a place that means a lot to you.
• Describe your ideal home or room.
• Describe something from your imagination.
• Describe an outfit or an item of clothing.
• Describe a piece of jewellery.

Create An Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is used to lay out the purpose of the essay and should be referred back to at varying points throughout your writing. It should be included in the introduction so that your readers are clear on what the essay is about.

Speak To The Senses

When planning your essay it is important to remember that a descriptive essay should appeal to the senses. When describing your subject you should include how it looks, smells, how things taste, what can be heard and how something feels. It is important to lay out these senses in your essay outline as using these will create a much clearer picture for the reader.

Create Your Essay Outline

An essay outline is used to order your ideas and make rough notes of anything that is to be included in the work. Every essay should be written with the assistance of an essay outline, and it should look something like this:

• Introduction -Include your thesis statement, a hook to grab the attention of the reader (this could be a personal story, anecdote , joke or fact) and a little bit about the purpose of the essay.
• Body 1st paragraph -This section will detail the first point of your essay. In the case of a descriptive essay, you might detail how something looks in the first paragraph. A traditional essay is made up of three body paragraphs and each of these should be outlined too. That being said, there is some leeway when writing an essay and you can write more or less body paragraphs depending on what you need.
• Conclusion -This final part of your essay outline should refer back to the thesis statement and sum up all the ideas which have been presented throughout the essay.

Further Tips For Writing A Descriptive Essay

In order to write a clear, concise and easy to read descriptive essay, there are some more points that you should consider whilst writing. These tips will help you to construct an essay which will be well received and credited.

• Make sure that you take the time to properly brainstorm before you begin writing your descriptive essay. This is important because it will help you to make sure that you include all of your ideas and miss nothing out.
• The language that you use within your essay should be concise and clear, making it easy for the reader to get a grasp of. Whilst you want to use colourful descriptions that easily paint a picture, you do not want to over-complicate the language and therefore make the essay unreadable.
• Consider using synonyms (understandable ones) to make your writing sound more intelligent and creative. These will also add to the descriptive flair of this type of essay.

Example Of A Descriptive Essay

In order to gain a greater understanding of what a well written descriptive essay looks like, we are now going to take a look at an extract from a descriptive essay called ‘Yarn’ written by Kyoko Mori .

Those yellow mittens which I had made in 7th grade home ec had proven that I dreamt in colour. For the section about knitting, we were 1) meant to create a pair of mittens and 2) the hands must be the same size, so when they were held together, none of the stitches would stick out of the thumb, the fingers or from the cuff. Somewhere, in between the making of the 4th and the 5th mitten to meet this requirement, I dreamt that the yellow ball of yarn which was in my bag turned green. It was so bright, it was eclectic, I awoke in the knowledge that, once again, I was doomed for a D in that class.

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How to Start a Descriptive Essay

Last Updated: July 25, 2024 Fact Checked

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. 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 116,723 times.

Brainstorming Topics for the Essay

• If you are writing the descriptive essay for a college application, you may choose a person who is a role model or a mentor to you. Describing this person in the essay will give you the chance to discuss why this person is important to you and the lessons you have learned from this person.

• For example, you may choose your favorite childhood toy as the topic for the essay. You could then describe the toy and what it meant to you growing up.

• For example, you may choose the most beautiful place you have ever been to. You can then describe the experience of the place and how it made you feel.

• For example, you may choose the first time you got your period or the first time you visited a relative in the hospital.

Outlining the Essay

• Paragraph 1: Introduction
• Paragraph 2: Scene 1
• Paragraph 3: Scene 2
• Paragraph 4: Scene 3
• Paragraph 5: Conclusion
• You can use five paragraphs for this outline or have more than one paragraph for each scene.

• Paragraph 2: Location 1
• Paragraph 3: Location 2
• Paragraph 4: Location 3

• Paragraph 2: Least important point or detail
• Paragraph 3: Second least important point or detail
• Paragraph 4: Key point or detail

• For example, if you are writing about a person who is your role model in the essay, your thesis statement may be, “Based on her actions that day in my 6th grade classroom, she taught me how to rise above negativity and be confident in my abilities as an artist.”

Creating a Strong Opening for the Essay

• For example, you may describe the first time you held an important object, “The first time I held the All American Girl doll in my hands, with its porcelain skin and glassy blue eyes, I swore to protect it with my life.”

• For example, you may briefly explain why the object was so significant to you based on your experience or knowledge at the time. You may write, “Up to this point, I had never owned a doll before and while other little girls waved around their dolls in the playground, I had to wait until my fifth birthday to get my own.”

• For example, rather than write “The doll was pretty,” you may write with sensory detail. “The doll felt soft and cold in my hands. It smelled like flowers and baby powder. It sounded hollow when I pressed it to my chest.”

• For example, you may describe how it feels to be in your childhood home by writing, “The best memories in my childhood home appear on the walls, dents, scratches, and markings made by my siblings and I when we wrestled or ran around inside.”
• If you are writing about a person, use examples of their behavior to show the reader their character, rather than simply tell the reader what to think.
• For example, you may write, “Mrs. Sands showed me compassion by always taking the time to work with me after class. I would sit on the small wooden chair by her desk, pencil in hand, while she explained how to conjugate a verb. 'To be,' she said, her voice patient but firm.”

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• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ https://essaypro.com/blog/descriptive-essay/
• ↑ https://www.collegeessay.org/blog/descriptive-essay-writing/descriptive-essay-outline
• ↑ http://www.scoolwork.com/EssayWritingGuide/how_to_write_a_descriptive_essay_on_any_topic.aspx
• ↑ http://www.grammarcheck.net/how-to-write-a-descriptive-essay/
• ↑ https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/descriptive_essay.html

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How to Write a Descriptive Essay – See, Smell, Taste

Definition of a descriptive essay.

A descriptive essay is a type of essay where an author should create a picture in the reader’s mind using the senses like sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. It is a great success if you can do it, but it is not that easy. We are going to tell you how to write a descriptive essay in the easiest way.

The essence of creating a captivating descriptive essay lies in its structure and organization. An effective piece should have an engaging introduction, solidified body paragraphs, and a thought-provoking conclusion that effortlessly carries the reader from start to finish. Every paragraph must reinforce the main thesis by focusing on one aspect related to the subject matter at hand for maximum lucidity.

All in all, a descriptive essay is an effective tool for authors to express their ideas and feelings about any given topic, truly allowing readers to comprehend the subject matter on a profound level.

How to write a descriptive essay in 8 steps

Step 1. Select a topic.

A good descriptive essay should focus on one object, event, or person. You need to choose a topic that you know in order to describe it in the best possible way. Your task is to illustrate a picture in the reader’s eyes carefully. Structure your essays in a way that your topic makes sense. For example, if you decide to write about a particular event, the paper should be written in chronological order. If you need to describe a person or an object, you need to start generally and then go to more specific details. Also, keep in mind that an introduction sets the tone for the whole paper.

Step 2. Make the thesis statement.

How to write a thesis for a descriptive essay? Writing a thesis statement is the second step after choosing a topic. Throughout the whole essay, this idea should be described in detail. A thesis statement presents the main goal of an essay. It is a sentence that should be included in the introduction.

Step 3. Write the introduction.

How to write an introduction paragraph for a descriptive essay? Here, you should present the main idea and the background information. You need to grab readers’ attention so that they have the desire to read your paper further. Don’t include any details in this part, as you should do it while writing the body of your paper.

Step 4. Deal with senses.

How to start writing a descriptive essay? First of all, you need to take a sheet of paper and draw five columns, each for one sense. These columns will help you to describe all senses in the proper way. Put down feelings that you associate with your topic. Keep in mind that you need to present as many details as possible to support your topic. For writing this type of essay, you can see descriptive objectives, metaphors, and personification.

Step 5. Write body paragraphs.

Write body paragraphs according to the details that you fill in the columns. Use only the most interesting details that you have. Use a separate paragraph for each idea, and write a topic sentence in the beginning of each paragraph. Keep in mind that your body paragraphs should prove the thesis statement.

Step 6. Write the conclusion.

The conclusion serves as a summary of the whole essay. In most cases, it is necessary to restate the thesis statement that you include in the introduction. You should work to write a solid conclusion as well, as it is the last thing that the reader reads and it should leave a good impression. Also, keep in mind that you should not include any new information in the conclusion.

Step 7. Proofread and edit the essay

After you are finished writing your essay, take some time for a break. Take a short rest to clear your mind before proofreading. You will take a look at your paper with fresh eyes and find mistakes more easily. While reading through your essay, think about your reader. Would your essay make sense for you if you were a reader? Is it easy to understand what topic the essay is written on? Are all paragraphs clear and descriptive enough?

You need to check whether the language you use for writing conveys you particular topic. A complete picture should be formed in readers’ minds when they finish reading your essay. Your point of view should be understandable to readers through the details that you use while writing. That’s why reading your essay aloud several times is important. In this way, you can easily identify things in your essay that don’t represent the topic. Also, give your essay to your friend to read it through, as another person’s eyes will be useful in catching mistakes that you can’t see. Ask whether your friend has a clear picture in mind after reading your paper.

Step 8. Finish the work

Correct all the mistakes and typos that you can find in your essay. Also, remove all the cliches that you can find – they are not appropriate for essays. Rewrite weak sentences to enhance your chances to get a high grade. Hand in your paper only after you are confident it is the best essay you can write.

Argument examples for descriptive essays

Descriptive essay example

Our sample about the experience of being inside a space ship will give you some inspiration for writing your own paper. It will help you better understand how a good descriptive essay should be written. After you read the provided sample, you can start brainstorming on your own topic. You will see that this process will become faster and much more effective.

Inside the Space Ship

Scientific and technological progress gave humankind an opportunity to explore outer space and to skip to a principally new level of opportunities and knowledge about the universe. People made a tremendous work in the development of technologies of space exploration from uncontrolled small rocket launching to the present level of utilization of multiple orbital stations and space expeditions. Space vehicles can be inhabited or uninhabited. They are designed for a variety of missions that may include communications, Earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration, space tourism, or military purposes (espionage, defense or attack).

Any spaceship consists of several parts: the first one is called mid-deck. It is a location where astronauts sleep, go to the bathroom and have a meal. There is a sleeping compartment in this location, where the astronauts sleep in the bags attached to the wall. The crew cabin is in the form of a truncated cone in which the crew, the life support system, the electrical system, and various equipment are located. It is contained in a pressurized shell formed of a double wall consisting of thick titanium sheets welded together. This shell is covered with an insulator and an outer shell made of a nickel alloy. Each astronaut is lying with his legs bent in a molded bunk and has a hatch in front of him that can be opened manually. The re-entry module is designed to withstand the aerodynamic forces and heat of the atmospheric reentry (Alwes, and Sdunnus, p.1265). The flanks of the module are protected from heat by overlapping metal plates whose composition varies with location. The widest end of the cone, which is the most exposed to heat, is protected by a disk-shaped heat shield consisting of a honeycomb structure filled with ablative material. The reentry module consists of three sections: the rendezvous and landing containing the radar used for rendezvous maneuvers in orbit with another vessel and the parachutes, the section containing the attitude control engines and the crew cabin (Alwes, and Sdunnus, p.1265). The third part of the ship is expendable. This is the service module essentially built around a modified capsule. It will be equipped with solar panels and the mooring system with the Space Station. Finally, it will house all the equipment needed to support life on-board crews and tanks (fuel, oxygen, water).

Concerning the landing phase, each spaceship has multiple variants and modalities for landing, depending on specific mission profiles. The standard mission profile is the conventional landing system that has proven itself time and time again. The spaceship typically uses a system of three open parachutes and several small engines that would be lit a little before landing. This system must allow the craft to land less than 1 kilometer around the intended place on the mainland. It is not excluded that the ship develops an airbag system to reduce the violence of the impact on the ground and that would authorize a landing (Oers et al., p. 34). The spacecraft may or may not have a propulsion subset, depending on whether or not the mission profile requires propulsion. The propulsion system is also necessary for the spacecraft which undertakes momentum maneuvers. The elements of a conventional propulsion subassembly contain fuel, tankage, valves, and ejectors connect to the propulsion subassembly by monitoring the temperature of these components and preheating the tanks and ejectors for maneuvering the spacecraft.

The spacecraft must be built to withstand the passage into the atmosphere and the space environment. It must operate under vacuum with temperatures extending over a wide range (hundreds of degrees Celsius, positive and negative). The thermal control subassembly can be passive, depending on the choice of materials with specific radiating properties (Feiveson, and Kulkarni, p. 332). Active thermal control uses electric heaters and specific triggers such as awnings to control ambient temperatures specific to equipment limits. A space vehicle system has various subsets, depending on the profile of the mission. Space vehicle subsystems may include attitude control and determination, guidance, navigation, and control, communications, command processing and data, power, thermal control, propulsion, structures, and payload. Space vehicles can be equipped to support a crew.

Any spacecraft requires a subsystem of altitude control so that it can be appropriately oriented in space and respond to external torsions and forces adequately. The altitude control subsystem consists of probes and triggers, as well as control algorithms. The altitude control subset allows the appropriate pointing in the interest of the mission (scientific measurement or external intervention), towards the Sun to capture the energy or to present a given space shuttle, towards the Earth or a satellite for communications (Feiveson, and Kulkarni, p. 332).

Thus, any spaceship is a complicated device which shall be carefully prepared to operation in significantly complicated conditions of outer space — regardless different peculiarities in the composition of various types of spaceships they have pretty similar main principles of composition. Various systems of life security are installed inside any spaceship in order to facilitate the mission of the astronauts. If appropriately developed these systems will help the astronauts to make longer and more efficient.

Works Cited

Alwes, D, and H Sdunnus. “Space Debris Aspects In Design And Operation Of A Space Craft – The Programmatic Of An End-To-End Service”. Advances In Space Research, vol 34, no. 5, 2004, pp. 1264-1269. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.asr.2003.11.015. Feiveson, Alan H., and Pandurang M. Kulkarni. “Reliability Of Space-Shuttle Pressure Vessels With Random Batch Effects”. Technometrics, vol 42, no. 4, 2000, p. 332. JSTOR, doi:10.2307/1270943. Oers, Bart van et al. “An Optimisation-Based Space Allocation Routine For The Generation Of Feasible Ship Designs”. Ship Technology Research, vol 56, no. 1, 2009, pp. 31-48. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1179/str.2009.56.1.005.

Descriptive essay writing prompts

Tips on how to write a descriptive essay

• Before you start describing something, you need to think about the reason for describing that particular thing. This will help you to find the right emotion and the language that you will use in your descriptive writing.
• Inspiring imagination is the main purpose of a descriptive essay. You need to pay attention to details to make your writing more descriptive. You should begin to think about basic things like a book or a hat, and move to harder things, and try to think about all the sensations that they cause. That’s why it is necessary to let your imagination work to the fullest.
• A writer should use colorful words to describe simple things. This is advisable if you want to create a detailed and more vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Don’t be afraid to use words that you rarely use in your everyday life – you can do it if you are writing a descriptive essay.
• Look for synonyms of well-known words. It can help you not only to write an interesting essay, but to improve your vocabulary as well.
• Details are of great importance in descriptive writing. The more details you include in your writing, the more interesting your essay will be to the reader. Your aim here is to become a pro in describing the details.

Writing a descriptive essay should become a rewarding experience to you. Using our guide will enhance the chances that the reader will like your essay. Now, you have all the keys for writing a great descriptive essay. We hope that you will be successful in descriptive writing and can present the paper in a logical and organized sequence. Good luck!

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Writing a Descriptive Essay

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Your first task in writing a descriptive essay is to choose a topic that has many interesting parts or qualities to talk about. Unless you have a really vivid imagination, you'll find it difficult to write much about a simple object like a comb, for example. It's best to compare a few topics first to make sure they'll work.

The next challenge is to figure out the best way to describe your chosen subject in such a way as to relay a complete experience to the reader, so that he or she is able to see, hear, and feel through your words.

Organize Thoughts Before Drafting

As in any writing, the drafting stage is key to writing a successful descriptive essay. Since the purpose of the essay is to paint a mental image of a specific subject, it helps to make a list of all the things you associate with your topic.

For example, if your subject is the farm where you visited your grandparents as a child you would list all the things you associate with that place. Your list should include both general attributes associated with a farm and the more personal and specific things that make it special to you and the reader.

Start with general details

Then add the unique details:

• That spot by the pig barn where you fell in the manure.
• Playing hide and seek in the cornfields.
• Picking wild greens for dinner with your grandmother.
• The stray dogs that always wandered onto the farm.
• Scary coyotes howling in the night.

By tying these details together you can make the essay more relatable to the reader. Making these lists will allow you to see how you can tie things from each list together.

Describing Descriptions 

At this stage, you should determine a good order for the objects you'll describe. For example, if you are describing an object, you should determine whether you want to describe its appearance from top to bottom or side to side.

Remember that it is important to begin your essay on a general level and work your way down to specifics. Start by outlining a simple five-paragraph essay with three main topics. Then you may expand on this basic outline.

Next, you will begin to construct a thesis statement and a trial topic sentence for each main paragraph.

• The thesis sentence should convey your overall impression of your subject. Does it make you happy? Is it attractive or ugly? Is your object useful?
• Each topic sentence should introduce a new part or stage of your chosen topic.

Don't worry, you can change these sentences later. It's time to start writing paragraphs !

Beginning to Draft

As you build your paragraphs, you should avoid confusing the reader by bombarding them with unfamiliar information immediately; you must ease your way into your topic in your introductory paragraph . For example, instead of saying,

The farm was where I spent most summers holidays. During the summer we played hide and seek in the cornfields and walked through the cow pastures to pick wild greens for supper. Nana always carried a gun for snakes.

Instead, give the reader a broad view of your subject and work your way into the details. A better example would be:

In a small rural town in central Ohio was a farm surrounded by miles of cornfields. In this place, on many warm summer days, my cousins and I would run through the cornfields playing hide and seek or making our own crop circles as clubhouses. My grandparents, whom I called Nana and Papa, lived on this farm for many years. The old farmhouse was large and always full of people, and it was surrounded by wild animals. I spent many of my childhood summers and holidays here. It was the family gathering place.

Another simple rule of thumb to remember is "show don't tell." If you want to describe a feeling or action you should reinvent it through the senses rather than just state it. For example, instead of:

I got excited every time we pulled into the driveway of my grandparent's house.

Try to elaborate on what was really going on in your head:

After sitting for several hours in the back seat of the car, I found the slow crawl up the driveway to be absolute torture. I just knew Nana was inside waiting with freshly baked pies and treats for me. Papa would have some toy or trinket hidden somewhere but he would pretend not to recognize me for a few minutes just to tease me before he gave it to me. As my parents would struggle to pry the suitcases out of the trunk, I would bounce all the way up the porch and rattle the door until someone finally let me in.

The second version paints a picture and puts the reader in the scene. Anyone can be excited. What your reader needs and wants to know is, what makes it exciting?

Keep It Specific

Finally, don't try to cram too much into one paragraph. Use each paragraph to describe a different aspect of your subject. Check to make sure that your essay flows from one paragraph to the next with good transition statements .

The conclusion of your paragraph is where you can tie everything together and restate the thesis of your essay. Take all the details and summarize what they mean to you and why it is important.

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• How to Write a Good Descriptive Essay

All about Writing a Good Descriptive Essay from Vedantu

Did you ever read a book review and felt like you were flown right across the pages of the particular book. It happens so often that we fail to realize the magnificence of the writing. That writing follows the nature of a descriptive essay. To learn how to write a good descriptive essay, follow this article.

What is a Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay is a genre of essay writing that deals with the description of a particular thing, like an abstract- object, person, experience, emotion, etc. This genre makes the student write a description of the given topic, whether it be emotion, thing, or place. It tests the creative knowledge of the student and makes them think outside the box.

A real descriptive essay makes us rethink and visualize the object in the focus. Our mind has the power to imagine things immediately and create imaginary scenes. A good descriptive essay makes use of that power purely. For example, if you are writing about a flower, try connecting it to the emotion to make it more appealing.

“the dewdrops bounced on the flowers lightly before collecting in the soaked mud” can be a line in your descriptive essay. It uses visual imagery and makes you feel good.

What is the Purpose behind Writing a Descriptive Essay?

Like any other type of essay, a descriptive essay also has a specific purpose. This is written for describing something that might be a place, an emotion, a person, a thing, an object, and we can count a number of topics for writing a descriptive essay. With the help of a descriptive essay or speech, the readers are able to get a clear picture of the subject. The selection of language by the writer must be really simple and vivid so that readers can comprehend it with ease. Vedantu has brought together all the ideas at place how to write a descriptive essay, let's check them in detail:

How to Write a Descriptive Essay

To write a descriptive essay, one should fully understand the topic given to him or her. Make use of all of your five senses to make the essay look more connected. You are not to limit yourself only to provide literal details but also the sensory details as they are very appealing in the essay and connect more with the readers. If you want to learn how to start a descriptive essay, go through the following rules.

Use Figurative Language 

Literal language does not make the essay perfect; it always has something missing. The descriptive essay needs to have symbolic and sensory details to them. While writing a descriptive essay, make use of metaphor and simile or other literary devices, and see your essay transforming beautifully.

Use Sensory Details 

Perhaps the most crucial point is to make your essay appear relaxed and appealing. Use your five senses (sight, smell, touch, noise, taste) to give that creative edge to your essay. “ the tinkling dewdrop fell on my cheek, leaving a cold feel behind.”

Use the Right Words

To make your essay more relatable, try using the right type of words. Always remember to use adjectives. Writing such essays can also help you expand your vocabulary.

Create an Outline 

It's essential to create an outline for your topic and stick to it. Creating an outline for your essay involves understanding the topic entirely and planning the few points to proceed with writing your essay. For this, you must have a clear understanding of the topic of your essay.

How to Write a Descriptive Essay Introduction

To begin the introduction of a descriptive essay, try understanding the topic clearly first. The introduction or precisely the first paragraph of the descriptive essay should be exceedingly catchy. If you remember any popular quote, try beginning the essay with that quote (only if it is related to the topic you are writing about). If you are writing about a story, begin with a glimpse of the climax so that it makes the reader more intrigued.

How to Conclude a Descriptive Essay

To write the conclusion of the descriptive essay, try to provide the general idea behind the title of the descriptive essay. The conclusion should always discuss the main points and the overall satisfactory picture of the whole essay. The title of the essay should justify the main idea and the conclusion should end with a sense of completion. This is how you should always conclude your descriptive essay.

Review Your Essay

After writing your descriptive essay, it's always necessary to review it. Reviewing involves reading the whole essay with a keen eye to look for mistakes. Do not skip this step. While reading, you may realize some of your mistakes and rectify them. There might also be an error in your delivery, or you might get a new idea and add it to your essay to make it look more creative.

Vedantu emphasis is always on revision as you can get some pointers while revising that you were not going to include or want to omit from your essay. With the help of a review, you can find the words that you can choose wrongly, there might be grammar errors that you committed, there might be a line that still needs to be completed or more. Therefore, giving it a review after writing is always a thoughtful idea.

This small article discussed every aspect of descriptive essay writing - introduction, body, and conclusion. This article briefs about what is descriptive writing and how to write a good descriptive essay using some simple yet useful tips as given above. Practice writing descriptive essays following the above rules in daily life to excel in it.

Thus, did you like the description by Vedantu for writing a descriptive essay? Well, if you still need to clear anything, you are free to go along with the support of the Vedantu team or join us with a few steps today!

FAQs on How to Write a Good Descriptive Essay

1. How to best define a descriptive essay?

To define a descriptive essay in the best possible way is that you need to stick to its genre. You might be asked to describe something that may comprise place, object, person, situation, emotion, experience, etc. With this genre, a student is encouraged to exhibit his potential to create a written document covering all the aspects of this genre. Mind it, this will not be all about describing but it is more to do with how it is going to bind the readers with the magic of its words.

2. What are the main steps to be followed for writing a descriptive essay?

Writing an essay is not all about writing anything. You need to describe it in detail with a complete comprehension of the provided topic. It is essential to use your entire knowledge so that it appears to be appealing while reading. You do not need to confine yourself only to sharing facts but it will be great if you can fill it with real-life experiences and emotions. Other than the subject matter, you have to be really careful regarding the right language and selection of words. The essay should comprise the title, introduction, body, and conclusion.

3. Is it necessary to have a conclusion in a descriptive essay?

Yes, having a conclusion is essential to writing a descriptive essay. This is a gist of sharing the main motive of the title and it is all about prime pointers. Overall, a descriptive essay offers a satisfactory picture of the entire essay that you have written. Your conclusion must be plotted in a manner that reflects and justifies the idea of the essay and you are ending it with the best completion. Thus, this is crucial to conclude a descriptive essay.

4. Will there be a specific word count for writing a good descriptive essay?

There are two cases regarding the word count. Sometimes, it is there in your examination and you have a total word count within which you are supposed to deliver the message in the form of a good descriptive essay. And, there might be a second instance, where you are not having a word limit but yes you are assigned some specific sections to describe. In both cases, you must be so artful that you can describe the entire topic in the most satisfactory manner by conveying the best message within a given word count and time limit.

Descriptive Essay

Descriptive Essay Examples

Last updated on: Nov 20, 2023

Descriptive Essay Examples - 8 Examples To Help You Write Better

By: Cathy A.

10 min read

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Dec 31, 2019

Do you need some good descriptive essay samples to understand how these essays work? We are here to help you write a descriptive essay with remarkable success!

So stay with us to learn the basics with the help of some great descriptive essay examples.

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What is a Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay describes and gives sensory details about a person, place, event, or thing in an in-depth and detailed manner. It is different from writing a narrative essay.

The aim of descriptive essay writing is to make the reader feel and see a certain thing, place, or person from your perspective. Your readers may have different points of view about the topic, your job is to make them see what you feel and believe.

These types of descriptions are often found in the literature; novels and dramas, where the writer constricts the whole scene through his or her words. 

Ever noticed how you feel like actually seeing the character from a novel in your mind? Or a place? This is the power of a descriptive narrative.

What is the Aim of Descriptive Writing? 

The sole aim of a descriptive essay writer is to draw a realistic and actual picture in front of the reader. These essays are a part of high school and college level and students. 

Teachers give this type of descriptive writing task to students for developing the students’ skills of describing and explaining something in a detailed manner.

This skill is quite helpful in professional life as the students will know how to analyze something in detail and by considering its different angles.

While writing a descriptive essay can be a fun and enriching experience. Describing your emotions and feelings and dealing with a sensitive topic can be a challenging and daunting task. However, with practice, you can do it successfully.

Good Descriptive Essay Examples

It is not an easy task to write a descriptive essay at first attempt. This is why many students turn to the examples of a descriptive essay to understand its structure and content.

Samples and examples are great to help the students understand how to write certain types of essays. Every essay and assignment is different and, therefore, to score well, you need to be mindful of the content that you add to them.

Effective descriptive essay writing is more about describing different aspects and traits of the chosen subject and the type of feelings they inspire. Commonly, these types of essays describe a particular person, an event, a place, or an emotion with the aim to make the reader feel your way.

Descriptive essay example for grade 6

Descriptive essay example college

Descriptive essay example for university

Don’t give up! Continue reading to explore more amazing examples

Descriptive Essay Example about a Person

Writing about a person is probably the first choice of many students. They like to describe their parents, especially siblings, best friends, and teachers in their essays. However, when you choose to write about a person, it is better that you write about someone who you know.

Descriptive Essay Example about a Person (PDF)

Descriptive Essay Example about an Event

As humans, we come across a number of events and happenings. From casual friends get together to very formal weddings and parties, each one of us has something to talk about.

The descriptive essays about events describe the event, how the writer felt about it along the surrounding details.

Just like we say, a descriptive essay ‘describes’ the topic. In the case of descriptive essay examples about an event, the details will include the kind of event, the level of excitement of the writer, the surroundings, and an overall feeling.

Descriptive Essay Example about an Event (PDF)

Descriptive Essay Example About a Place

Describing a place that you visited in your summer holidays is quite an enjoyable experience. It is like you are visiting the same place again and having the same feelings.

When describing your favorite place in an essay, use vivid language. You can describe the details like the weather of the place, the main place that you visited, the kind of feeling you had.

Descriptive Essay Example about a Place (PDF)

Descriptive Essay Example about Emotions

Describing emotions and feelings is difficult.

Memories, emotions, and feelings are abstract and, therefore, explaining them is not easy. They cannot be explained independently, as you can explain a place or event.

A descriptive essay about emotions includes an event and the feelings associated with it. These could be feelings of sadness, anxiousness, confusion, surprise, and happiness.

Whatever emotions you describe, you can use related adjectives and adverbs to describe them.

Descriptive Essay Example about Emotions (PDF)

Descriptive Essay Example About a Visit

A visit to a doctor, a visit to a zoo, and your first visit to a museum, all make excellent descriptive essay topics.

If you go somewhere for the first time, it is natural to have a plethora of feelings and emotions. These could be feelings of joy and even fear.

Descriptive Essay Example about a Visit (PDF)

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Descriptive Essay Outline

Like every essay sample, a descriptive essay has an outline and format. The essay follows the traditional essay structure and includes:

1. An Introductory Paragraph

The first paragraph of an essay is the introduction and it usually sets the mood for the entire essay.

A good descriptive essay has a strong opening. It introduces the reader to the main topic and what the essay will be about. However, these details are brief and introduce the main topic only.

Some students think that adding more details in this section will add value to their work. Wrong. It will only minimize their chances of expanding the topic in the main paragraphs and leave them with fewer details.

2. Thesis Statement

A thesis statement tells the reader about the thesis question, based on the topic, and the writer’s claim and main argument. It is written after the introduction and before the main paragraphs.

A thesis statement is written at the end of the introduction, it is mainly a single sentence that describes the essay objective.

3. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs take more than half of the entire essay and include all the main claims and arguments of the essay. Generally, it has three paragraphs but depends on the topic and its scope. Some topics may not have much to write about while others may have a wide scope and material.

However, if you feel that your topic does not have much room for expansion, do not try to drag it. It will only ruin its essence and overall feel.

4. Conclusion

A solid closing means a solid essay.

Some students think that because it is a closing paragraph, it requires less focus and is less important. But it is not the case. A clumsy conclusion will leave a bad impression and all your hard work may go to waste.

But, a conclusion is also not a place for new ideas. Stay brief and to the point.

To learn more about descriptive essay structure, you can watch this helpful video

Now that you know the basic outline, you can learn how to write a descriptive essay by visiting our blog and working with those tips and tricks.

Create captivating essays effortlessly!

Descriptive Essay Topics 

Got inspired by the examples and looking to write your own essay? So select the topic of your choice from the list below and write a tempting essay…

• The street I love to walk around  in
•  Exploring the beauty of nature
• The pleasing sounds of rain 
• The most meaningful experience I had in college
• Exploring a hidden gem in my hometown 
• My favorite book character 
• A day spent in my dream destination 
• Memories of various festivals I have celebrated  
• My favorite food that always brings back memories
• These are some
• The beauty of the rising sun in winter

Choosing a Topic for your Essay

Choosing a topic for your descriptive essay can be difficult and challenging. The reason is there are so many things to write about like

• Relationships
• Favorite place
• Experiences
• Things 
• Scenarios and many more.

All of these subjects make great descriptive essay topics. Some quick tips to help you choose a great descriptive essay topic include:

• Choose a topic that interests you
• Choose a topic with a good scope
• Choose something that inspires you emotionally
• Choose a topic that appeals to all five or at least one to two senses
• Choose the topic according to your audience
• Choose a topic that is interesting and will keep your readers glued and engaged

For interesting essay topics and ideas, visit our blog and get 100+ descriptive essay topics to choose from.

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Elements of a Great Descriptive Essay

Great essays are based on elements relevant to the main topic and explain it in detail. Just like other types of essays, descriptive essays are specifically based on describing the main topic. You can do this by using figurative language and words that appeal to the five senses like touch, taste, sight, etc. of the readers.

Some core elements include:

• Choosing a specific subject:

Choosing the right and appealing subject is essential for a good descriptive essay. Research and make a list of the topics that interest you and see which one you could use for your essay. make sure that you know how to work on that topic before finalizing it.

• Select the Details:

You cannot write about everything. No matter how many details there are, you have to choose the most dominant ones and stick to them closely.

• Organize the Details:

Once you have chosen the details and organize them in chronological order. This step is especially important if you are talking about an event because then you have to add details related to the event.

• Use Descriptive Language:

Descriptive and figurative language is a must if you want to draw a clear picture in front of your readers. Adjectives and adverbs, similes and metaphors, and comparisons are some techniques that you could use to compose your descriptive essay.

• Use Appropriate Language:

Relevant language will help you in presenting the information in a coherent and simple manner. The topic of your essay will decide the kind of language that you will use in your essay.

• Do Not Drag the Essay:

Dragging the essay will do no good for your essay. Writing an engaging essay is essential for successful descriptive essay writing. Coherent, relevant, and engaging facts will add credibility and a natural flair to your essay.

Not sure if you could write an impressive and engaging descriptive essay? 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many paragraphs are in a descriptive essay.

Like any other essay, a descriptive essay also must have at least five paragraphs. The number of paragraphs could increase, based on the scope and need of the topic.

How can I write a good descriptive essay?

Writing a good descriptive essay requires vivid and detailed descriptions, creating an experience for the reader. To do this, it’s important to use clear language that creates images in the reader’s mind. 

Additionally, using sensory details can help engage the reader and make them feel as if they are partaking in the experience described. 

What are some examples of things you could describe in a descriptive essay?

Examples of things you could describe in a descriptive essay include a location, person, object, or event. Each of these should be explored in detail to help the reader form an accurate mental image.

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Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

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WTO / Education / How to Write a Descriptive Essay (12 Best Examples)

How to Write a Descriptive Essay (12 Best Examples)

 A Descriptive Essay is a category that describes something such as a place, object, experience, situation or emotion, etc, in a detailed and vivid manner.

It requires the writer to use his/her creative writing ability to paint a picture in the reader’s mind by providing a comprehensive account of the experience. This essay is often assigned to students in high school and in composition classes.

The writer of a descriptive essay has the creative freedom to use precise language to describe his/her subject/topic.

12 Best Descriptive Essay Examples

Purpose of Writing a Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay enables writers to immerse their audience in their words with sensory details . It also enables writers to capture and share events with their audience vividly. The figurative language used in these essays helps the reader understand the writer’s story through visualisation, making the content more interesting to write or read. These essays also give writers almost unrestricted freedom of choosing the meaning of expressions through their sentence composition.

Type of Topics in a Descriptive Essay

These types of essays are a powerful way for writers to communicate their experiences. However, they must first decide what they are going to write about. The topics writers explore will help them plan out how they will write the essay.

Writers can therefore consider the following types of topics in a descriptive essay:

Personal descriptive essay

These essays detail a writer’s personal experience . The writer may describe an event, person, place, or object they love or care for. They provide a first-hand account of their experiences, making it a descriptive narrative that relies more on their memory than research.

It was past midnight, and I was sound asleep when I heard it, a subtle crackle of my living room floor. I sat up on my bed, opened my eyes to the pitch-black darkness of my room, my back open to the relative cold, I waited, hoping that it was nothing, but then I heard it again. My heart was pounding, but I had to find out who or what that was. So I slowly, carefully, and quietly tiptoed my way to my bed.

Imaginative descriptive essay

An imaginative descriptive essay details a fictional, historical, or fantastical situation. It can discuss anything from travel to civil rights.This essay is based on fiction, requiring the writers to depend on their creative ability to bring the essay to life.

The sky was still empty, not a single star, nothing but the bright shimmering light of the moon. The only reason it shone so bright was that it was inching ever so close. They walked along the river bed surrounded by a thick wilderness of trees, exhausted, but they couldn’t stop; they could feel it haunting them, slowly preying on them in the thick trees waiting for one of them to drop their guard.

Conceptual descriptive essay

This essay details a writer’s exploration of ideas and emotions. The writer is expected to carefully explore the concept and formulate a concise, exciting thesis. The sole purpose of the ideas explored in a conceptual descriptive essay is to provide a clear definition explanation.

Depression, it’s an empty, isolating, and hopeless feeling. Some days the heart is in a weightless existence, and then there are those days. Days when there is nothing but an overwhelming feeling of pain. It entraps you in your own body, and some say it as if they walk around with an open wound on their chest.

How to Write a Descriptive Essay

Writing this essay requires a writer to be creative and expressive. Therefore, the writer must follow a step-by-step process to ensure that the content is effectively conveyed.

Writers should consider adhering to the following process when writing a descriptive essay:

Select a specific topic

When writing a descriptive essay, writers should first select a topic that enables them to use colourful language and provides them with creative freedom. Writers must also consider who their readers are to ensure the topic aligns with their reader’s interests. The writer can then decide on a topic and write a thesis statement that will summarise their concept.

Collect information

Secondly, writers should collect information concerning the topic. Collecting information for essays can help writers find details that can be used during the writing process. Therefore, writers can provide vivid details concerning how an event occurred or the characteristics of the person, place, or object.  The information also helps strengthen the essay’s contents by enabling the writer to provide names and dates.

Make an outline

Thirdly, an outline of the main points should be made. Outlining enables the writer to categories the information collected into individual paragraphs ahead of writing. This enables writers to plan and manage their writing time and identify what they cover. It also ensures that writers can focus on the main points covered in the essay’s body paragraphs.

Write an introductory paragraph 

Next, such an essay must have an introductory paragraph. The thesis statement should be a part of the introductory paragraph. A good introductory paragraph should capture the reader’s interest in the descriptive essay.

Writers can use rhetorical questions or bold statements in the introductory paragraph to hook their readers. Using rhetorical questions in the introduction adds creative flair to the essay, while a bold statement draws extra attention to the provided information.

Write body paragraphs

The writer must then ensure that each paragraph of the main body of the essay has a topic sentence. The topic sentence spotlights the main idea of the paragraph, therefore, informing the reader of what it is about. A topic sentence also unifies the contents of the paragraph, therefore, ensuring a coherent order of sentences.

Concluding paragraph

The final paragraph of an essay should be an overall summary, drawing all the points together. Writers should use the final paragraph to reaffirm the essay thesis, indicating to their readers that they have achieved the essay’s goal. This paragraph is also the writer’s last chance to impress the reader.

Proofread your essay

Finally, once the writing is complete, writers must read the first draft of the descriptive essay to ensure its error-free. Proofreading also helps ensure that writers have properly conveyed their ideas, ensuring that the essay is of high quality.

Descriptive Essay Example

Descriptive essay about “a place i love”.

I have always been fascinated with the great outdoors. A place like the Amazon rainforest, a vast tropical wilderness of trees with relatively small inclusions of vegetation like the savanna, grasslands, swamps, bamboos, and palm trees. This beautiful, luscious forest can be enormous, gentle, and sometimes scary.

I have enjoyed the beauty of nature since childhood; being in places like the Amazon has provided me with surreal experiences. However, to be in a vast forest that covers an area roughly the size of the USA, making it the largest rainforest on earth, is incredible. Walking through thick, moist vegetation and sometimes finding ourselves surrounded by an army of cutter ants hard at work with leaves on their backs as they march down the highway of trees was both scary and wonderful.

The warm climate of the amazon made wearing heavy clothing like jackets unnecessary and frankly impossible except at night when the temperature would drop dramatically. This warm climate makes the Amazon ideal for pesky tiny mosquitos; therefore, mosquito repellant is essential for anyone who visits. However, nothing could beat the fresh air filled with the smell of palm trees and wood.

When I first visited the Amazon, the paths weren’t defined; therefore, we had to use machetes to make our way through different jungle parts. However, one of the most incredible breathtaking moments was watching the sunset in an iron-made tower about 37 meters high where we could see the treetops.

To summarize my visit to the Amazon, the experience can only be fully described as wild, unforgettable, and sometimes even emotional. In the Amazon, nature meets beauty making the experience an inseparable part of the self.

Writers should consider going through descriptive essay examples before writing. Descriptive essay examples help writers understand how they can write certain types of essays. They also expose writers to good ideas, writing styles, and essay structure. Writers can also note down mistakes made by other authors , therefore, enabling them to improve the contents of their essays.

Writing Tips for a Descriptive Essay

When writing such an essay, writers should ensure they have a goal in mind. The goals set will help them assess if communication was effective or not. Setting goals will also help them form their thesis statement enabling them to establish their argument.

Writers should therefore consider the following tips when writing a descriptive essay:

Spend some time brainstorming

Once a topic for the descriptive essay has been selected, the writer should brainstorm by writing down some ideas about it. The writer can write down a few points breaking down the topic or key information about an experience that he/she wants to include in the essay. Brainstorming will help inspire creativity and enable the writer to compile a descriptive list for each word/piece of information.

Use of clear and concise language

This essay should be written in clear and concise language. This ensures that the content remains to the point. It also helps ensure that the writer sustains the reader’s attention. Using clear and concise language leaves no room for interpretation due to efficient communication by the writer.

Use of figurative and vivid language

This essay should enable the reader to visualize the contents on the page; this makes it necessary for the writer to use figurative and vivid language. Figurative language enables writers to use phrases that go beyond the literal meaning by using devices such as similes and metaphors.

This helps make the essay memorable, especially when the devices are used in an original manner. The use of vivid language such as a stroll in place of a walk can serve a distinct purpose of forming a firm image of the action in the reader’s mind.

Use your senses

The use of the writer’s senses during writing brings the content to life. Sensory details like sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch helps the writer form an image or evoke an emotion in the reader’s mind. It also helps the writer engage with readers’ human experiences, making them feel a part of the story.

Choose the right words

Each word used in an essay makes an impression on the reader; therefore, writers should carefully choose their words. The words used by the writer help the reader emotionally connect with the writer’s experience. The right words also help give credibility to the writing because readers can discern content written in clarity.

Relate the essay to what you were thinking

The contents of a descriptive essay should relate the thoughts of the writer with that of the reader. This helps create a connection between the two parties. Emotionally connecting with readers keeps them hooked to the essay and helps ensure effective communication of content.

Make a long-lasting an impression

A writer should strive to make a long-lasting and clear impression on the reader because the experience was effectively communicated. Writers are also able to evoke reader’s interest in their other essays. The impression writers make using this essay also enables them to impact the reader’s opinions.

If a writer’s essay describes a horrible experience with dolphins, readers are likely to fear encountering one.

Be organised

A descriptive essay should be organised to make it easier for the reader to understand the writer’s thesis. The organisation also makes it easier for the writer to put the essay together. Being organised ensures the flow of information between the writer and the reader; therefore, the essay’s goal is reached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Writers can select a descriptive essay by first deciding on a topic that they would like to cover. The topic can be chosen by thinking of a specific place, situation, experience, person, or emotion that the writer can interestingly describe. The topic may also have personal significance to the writer. When selecting a topic, the writer should ensure that he/she can provide a detailed description using particular features. If the topic is general or vague, it may disinterest the reader.

A descriptive essay has an introduction that must contain a thesis statement at the end, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The body paragraph of an essay provides more details, while the conclusion reaffirms the essay thesis.

The key to writing a descriptive essay is a vivid description that enables readers to form a comprehensive picture of the events on the page. In addition, the description used enables the writer to appeal to the emotions of the reader. 

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Descriptive Essay Writing

Descriptive Essay Examples

Amazing Descriptive Essay Examples for Your Help

Published on: Jun 21, 2023

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

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Descriptive Essay: Definition, Tips & Examples

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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. 

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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. 

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

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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. 

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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.

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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

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 by our professional descriptive essay writers. 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! 

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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.

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Explanatory Essay: Definition, Outline, Writing Steps & Samples

An explanatory essay informs readers about a specific topic or idea. It gives clear information without trying to change anyone's mind. This article will help you create a good explanatory essay. We'll cover what it is, how to plan it, and how to write your ideas clearly.

What Is an Explanatory Essay: Definition

An explanatory thesis is the main idea of this type of writing. It's a sentence that tells the reader what the essay is about. Explanatory essays need to present facts, not opinions. They use evidence and logic to explain things.

For example, if you're writing about climate change, your explanatory thesis might say: "Climate change is influenced by both natural events and human activities, and it affects the planet's ecosystems in many ways."

How to Start an Explanatory Essay: Important Steps

Knowing how to start an explanatory essay is important to get readers interested. Here's what to do:

• Pick an interesting topic
• Conduct thorough research
• Develop a clear thesis statement
• Create an outline

When choosing a topic, think about what your readers might like and what information you can find. For instance, if you're writing about clean energy, you could focus on new ways to use sunlight for power.

After you gather information, write your thesis statement. It should be specific and give a clear roadmap for your essay. For example: "Solar technology is changing how we produce and use energy around the world, offering both environmental and economic benefits."

Explanatory Essay Outline

A great outline helps you organize your thoughts and make your essay easy to follow. Here's a basic informational essay format:

1. Introduction

• A catchy hook
• Background information
• Thesis statement (Main idea)

2. Body Paragraphs (usually 3-5 sentences)

• Topic sentence
• Facts that support your idea
• Explanation
• Transition to the next point

3. Conclusion

• Restate main idea
• Sum up the main points
• Final thoughts

This structure helps keep your essay clear. Remember, each paragraph should focus on one main point that supports your main idea.

How to Write an Explanatory Essay

Now that you know the structure, let's talk about how to write explanatory essay well.

• Introduction: Start with something interesting—a surprising fact, a question, or a short story. Give some background on your topic and end with your main idea.
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should talk about one part of your topic. Use reliable sources to support your points, and explain how this information relates to your main idea. For example, when writing about solar energy, you might have paragraphs about how it helps the environment, how much it costs, and new ways to use it.
• Conclusion: How to write a conclusion for an explanatory essay: Sum up your main points and say your main idea again in a different way. Share some final thoughts about why your topic matters.

Throughout your essay, use words that help connect your ideas. This keeps readers interested and shows how your points are related.

Remember, the goal of an explanatory essay is to inform, not to argue. Stick to the facts, present them clearly, and let the information speak for itself.

Explanatory Essay Conclusion

How to write a conclusion for an explanatory essay is important to make your readers remember what you wrote. Your conclusion should:

• Restate your main idea but in a fresh way
• Go over the main points you talked about in your essay
• Give a final thought or suggest what to do next

For example, if you wrote about clean energy, you might end by stating the importance of continued research and investment in these technologies for a sustainable future.

Explanatory Essay Example

Here's a short example about artificial intelligence in healthcare:

Introduction: 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bringing significant changes to various fields, with healthcare being a notable beneficiary. From diagnosis to treatment planning, AI is enhancing the capabilities of medical professionals and improving patient care outcomes.

Body Paragraph (example): 

One significant application of AI in healthcare is in medical imaging analysis. AI algorithms can now detect abnormalities in X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans with accuracy comparable to experienced radiologists. A 2020 study demonstrated that an AI system outperformed human experts in breast cancer detection, reducing false positives by 5.7% and false negatives by 9.4%. This technology not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also potentially reduces the workload on healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus on complex cases and patient care.

Conclusion: 

As AI technology advances, its integration into healthcare promises to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline treatment plans, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of AI in medicine underscore the importance of continued research and responsible implementation in this field.

Concluding Words

Writing a well-structured, informative, and explanatory essay requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the topic you are writing about. If you follow the tips in this guide and practice regularly, you'll get better at writing exceptional explanatory essays about any topic.

For writers looking to simplify their essay-writing process, Aithor can provide valuable assistance in organizing ideas, suggesting relevant information, and ensuring clear, coherent prose. While the core of your essay should always come from your own understanding and research, such tools can enhance your writing efficiency and effectiveness.

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How to Write a Personal Narrative: A Step-by-Step Guide

“As I sat down to write this article, memories flooded back, each one a brushstroke in the painting of my past…”

That could be the beginning of your personal narrative. Writing it lets you turn your memories and experiences into stories that click with others. This type of writing goes beyond school assignments or essays for college applications; it’s a chance to get really good at sharing your life's events in ways that matter. 

In this article, we're going to explore what personal narratives are all about and guide you through a simple seven-step process to create your own. You’ll learn how to pull out moments that make your story stand out and how to tweak your writing until it’s just right. We’ve got practical examples for you to follow along, making sure you have everything you need to tell your story. 

What is a Personal Narrative?

A personal narrative is a way to tell your own story. It's a style of writing that puts your experiences front and center, inviting readers into your world. Teachers often assign personal narratives to encourage free, expressive writing. 

The personal narrative definition is wider than academic settings, though. . These narratives can also show potential employers who you are beyond your resume. At its core, writing a personal narrative is a form of storytelling, using a first-person perspective to bring real-life tales to life. Whether it's for a grade, a job, or just for fun, it's about getting your story out there.

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How to Write a Personal Narrative: Steps

In this section, we'll break down the process into manageable steps, starting with how to zero in on the right topic that speaks about who you are.

Step 1. Choosing a Personal Narrative Topic

The first step in crafting your personal narrative is picking the perfect topic. It should be something meaningful to you, something that has not just happened, but also shaped who you are or has a significant story behind it. Here’s how to frame your personal narrative ideas:

• Story Arc : Your narrative is like a mini-movie. Start with setting the scene, build up to the main event, and wrap up with a reflection. For example, if you’re writing about your first solo travel experience, begin with your initial feelings, describe the challenges you faced, and end with what you learned about yourself.
• Thematic Focus : Instead of moving through time, center your narrative around a central theme. Maybe it’s about resilience, and you could link different times you had to be resilient, ending with a major life challenge.
• A Day to Remember : Sometimes a single day can tell a lot about you. Pick a day that was particularly memorable and unpack it from start to finish. Maybe it was a seemingly ordinary day that brought unexpected lessons or joys.

Step 2. Working on Your Personal Narrative Outline

When putting together your personal narrative, starting with a solid outline can help keep your story on track. Here's how you can lay it all out:

• Introduction: Kick things off with a hook that grabs attention, like an intriguing question or a vivid snapshot of a key moment. Set the scene and introduce the main theme.
• Setting and Characters : Give a good sense of where your story is unfolding and who's involved. Paint a clear picture of the backdrop and the key people.
• Plot Development : Lay out the events in the order they happened, or group them around major themes. Build up to your main event, adding conflicts or challenges as you go.
• Climax : This is the high point of your story, where everything comes to a head. Make it a moment that has the most impact.
• Resolution : Wrap up the main storyline, showing how things settled down after the climax.
• Reflection : Spend some time reflecting on what happened. Share what you learned or how you changed because of the experience.

If you're looking for help crafting your personal narrative, consider checking out some legit essay writing services to get professional guidance.

Step 3. Writing the First Draft of Your Personal Narrative

Now let’s move on to the fun part! Don't worry about getting everything perfect right away — the first draft’s goal is to let your story flow naturally:

• Start with Your Hook: Revisit the introduction you outlined and flesh it out. Begin with the attention-grabbing sentence that will make readers want to continue.
• Let the Story Unfold: Follow your outline, but allow yourself some flexibility. As you write, new memories or details may come to mind. Embrace them! Think about what you saw, heard, and felt during these moments. Were you sitting in a sunlit room, listening to the hum of a busy street outside? Maybe you felt the chill of an autumn breeze? 
• Stay True to Your Voice: This is your story, so let your unique voice shine through. Whether you're humorous, reflective, or serious, maintain a consistent tone that feels authentically you. Keep the tone conversational and straightforward, as if you’re telling this story to a friend. 

Once the first personal narrative draft is done, set it aside for a bit before revisiting it with fresh eyes.

Step 4. Revising Your Personal Narrative

Once the first personal narrative draft is done, set it aside for a bit before revisiting it with fresh eyes:

• Tighten Up the Story : As you go through your draft, focus on making everything clear and to the point. If you’ve talked about how nervous you were before a big event more than once, try to combine those thoughts into one powerful sentence that really captures how you felt.
• Keep Your Tone Consistent : Make sure your voice stays the same throughout the story. If you start off with a casual, conversational tone, like saying, “I couldn’t shake the nerves before my big test,” stick with that style instead of suddenly becoming formal later on.
• Adjust the Pacing : Pay attention to how smoothly your story flows from one part to the next. When you’re describing a key moment, like meeting someone important or going through a major experience, give it the detail and time it deserves. Let those moments develop naturally without rushing.
• Enhance Your Descriptions : Make your imagery more vivid to help the reader visualize your story. For example, instead of just saying, “The room was noisy,” you could say, “The room buzzed with excited chatter.” These small tweaks can make your story feel more alive and engaging.

Step 5. Adding Personal Touches

As you polish your personal narrative, focus on making it uniquely yours. You can include personal reflections on your experiences. For example, if you’re writing about a challenging project, discuss not just the struggle but how it impacted you personally and professionally.

Besides, add unique details that only you can share. Instead of generic descriptions, use specific anecdotes or sensory details, like how the scent of freshly baked cookies from your grandmother's kitchen made you feel nostalgic.

Last but not least, incorporate dialogues or direct quotes from people involved in your story to add authenticity and depth. For instance, if your mentor gave you advice, include their exact words to capture the moment’s impact. This approach will help you understand how to write a personal narrative that is both engaging and deeply personal.

Not sure where to begin? You can always buy a narrative essay from experts who can help shape your story.

Step 6: Editing for Clarity and Style

When you’re editing your personal narratives, the goal is to make sure everything flows smoothly and makes sense. Here’s how to get it just right:

• Clarify Your Message: Check for any parts of your story that might be a bit confusing. If you talked about being excited about a project and then suddenly shifted to its challenges, make sure to connect these thoughts clearly. For instance, you might rephrase it as “I was excited about the project, but I soon faced some unexpected challenges, like tight deadlines.”
• Simplify Complex Sentences: Break down long or complicated sentences. Instead of saying, “My enthusiasm for the project, which was incredibly high despite the difficulties I faced, was the driving force behind my perseverance,” you could simplify it to, “Even though the project was tough, my excitement kept me going.”
• Smooth Transitions: Check how your paragraphs and sections flow together. If you jump from describing a problem to the solution without a clear link, add a transition. For example, “After struggling with the project’s challenges, I realized that asking my mentor for help was the key to overcoming the obstacles.”

Oh, and read your narrative out loud. This can help you spot any awkward phrases or spots where the story might be a bit choppy. It’s a great way to catch any issues and make those final tweaks to get everything just right.

Personal Narrative Prompts

Here are ten personal narrative prompts to get you thinking about different moments in your life:

Need more tips on how to get started? Check out this guide on how to start a narrative essay to kick off your writing with a strong opening.

Personal Narrative Examples

Here are a few personal narrative beginnings to spark your creativity. These snippets are designed to get you started and inspire your own storytelling.

Wrapping Up

As you finish up your story, think about how those moments shaped who you are today. It's not just about what happened, but how it changed you. When learning how to write a personal narrative, it’s important to focus on the moments that truly matter to you and tell them in your own voice. This way, your narrative can really connect with others. 

Remember, the best stories come straight from the heart, so trust yourself and let your experiences shine through!

If you're working on a personal statement, you might want to explore a personal statement service that can help you create a compelling narrative.

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How to Start a Personal Narrative?

Can a personal narrative be about anything, what is the format of a personal narrative.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• The New York Times. (2020, January 7). Personal Narrative Essay Winners. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/learning/personal-narrative-essay-winners.html

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• How to write a narrative essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal experience you had. This type of essay , along with the descriptive essay , allows you to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing .

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Table of contents

What is a narrative essay for, choosing a topic, interactive example of a narrative essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about narrative essays.

When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way you tell it.

A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace.

These skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance, in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.

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Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to work with.

• Write a story about your first day of school.
• Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.

You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.

• Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
• Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and how?

In these cases, you might have to think harder to decide what story you want to tell. The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to talk about a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

For example, a trip where everything went according to plan makes for a less interesting story than one where something unexpected happened that you then had to respond to. Choose an experience that might surprise the reader or teach them something.

Narrative essays in college applications

When applying for college , you might be asked to write a narrative essay that expresses something about your personal qualities.

For example, this application prompt from Common App requires you to respond with a narrative essay.

In this context, choose a story that is not only interesting but also expresses the qualities the prompt is looking for—here, resilience and the ability to learn from failure—and frame the story in a way that emphasizes these qualities.

An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

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If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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