how to teach descriptive essay writing

Descriptive Writing: How to Teach Students to Add More Exciting Details

You would think descriptive writing would be simple to teach, but it’s much more complex. Students often think that just adding extra words presents more detail in their work. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips for how to teach descriptive writing practices that will help your students become better writers and create a concrete image for their readers.

Differentiating Between Narratives and Descriptive Writing

Narrative Writing and Descriptive Writing can get confused because teachers often tell their students to add plenty of detail to their narratives. Of course, they want all the details of the road trip they took or the fictional story they are writing. The reader wants to be present in the story.

A descriptive text, however, is not always a narrative. Descriptive writing can apply to all forms of writing. Students should be adding descriptors to their text to draw the reader in.

Try explaining it to your students like this:

• A book is a narration that tells a story.
• The packaging on a box of crackers described the contents, but doesn’t tell a story.

A venn diagram is an effective way to show students the similarities and differences between narrative and descriptive writing. Breaking it down helped me learn how to teach descriptive writing better and help my students more.

Model Finding and Using Descriptive Texts

There are tons of different descriptive texts that you can use to show students how to add description to their writing. Not sure where to find them? Head to ANY store and you will find product after product with descriptive text.

Go to the grocery store and pick up a box of cereal. The back of the box will explain how delicious and nutritious the cereal tastes. It will describe the crunch and the flavor, as well as the appearance.

Head into your local sporting goods store and pick up a rain jacket. The tag will explain how durable the jacket is as well as how water repellent it is for any type of downpour.

As a fun activity, have your students bring in a product that still has the packaging or tag. Let them gather in groups as they discuss the descriptive words they find on their items. Do this for a few days with different items to let them get an idea of how to describe different things. They will be able to apply this to their writer and really get into the reader’s mind as the put ideas to paper.

Once they begin writing, encourage them to use descriptive words that appeal to the senses. When talking about clothing, tell them to use words like breathable, warm, soft, and cozy. If they are describing food, remind them to use words that will appeal to the reader. These words might be crunchy, flavorful, cheesy, or savory.

Use Figurative Language to Teach Descriptive Writing

One great way to get students to write with descriptive writing elements is to use figurative language. Explain to them what similes, metaphors, and personification are. Let them use these descriptive writing elements to create a clear picture when they take pen to paper. If you have forgotten, here’s a review:

• Metaphor: Comparing two unrelated things. You could say “Her fur is a soft blanket”.
• Simile: Comparing two things using “like” or “as”. An example would be “The car lit up like the fourth of July”.
• Hyperbole: Using exaggerated verbiage to describe something. “The suitcase weighed a million pounds”.
• Personification: The use of human traits to describe something that isn’t alive. “The hail scratched at my windows, trying to get in”.

The use of figurative language is a fun way to add a detailed description to descriptive essay topics.

Using Mentor Texts as Descriptive Writing How To Models

Using a mentor text as a descriptive writing tool on how to model is a great way to introduce and practice this skill. I do suggest that if you use mentor texts for different types of writing simultaneously, you separate the narrative writing texts from the descriptive writing texts. This will just avoid any confusion among your students.

The product labels and tags also serve as amazing mentor texts that students can provide. Both of these options make the writing process fun!

Practice Makes Perfect: A Quick Descriptive Writing How To

Use no verbs.

As a practice activity, have students write a descriptive paragraph using NO verbs. They have to use other descriptive details to explain what is happening in their sentences. This is a creative way to get them thinking outside the box while writing their sentences. They have to pay close attention to what they are writing and it forces them to reframe specific details in a fun way.

Disgust Me!

Another great activity to use as a descriptive writing how to model is to ask students to write a short paragraph that grosses them out. They have to use vivid details to construct sentences that will make the reader feel disgusted. If possible, give out a prize for the most disgusting descriptive essay!

Oh, I forgot to mention, this activity works better if you tell them they have to write about a real-life gross event. They can’t write about zombies or the boogeyman. Tell them to think of something they have experienced or heard about and describe it in as much detail as possible.

Help Me Visualize

Creating a mental picture is the perfect way to model how to write a descriptive essay. The primary purpose of descriptive writing is to use interesting words to grab your reader’s attention. The use of adjectives isn’t the only way to do this. Remind students to use their senses so they can create a vivid picture for the reader. Tell them to take their reader to wherever it is they are writing about. Write about the smell of the building or park, detail the sounds they might hear, write down anything they touch, taste, or smell.

Use Weekly Descriptive Writing Prompts

My Weekly Descriptive Writing Prompts are a great way to practice using effective descriptive writing. Students use descriptive language to take their writing to a deeper level. The activities help students with their word choice as their write about their own experience as well as fictional topics.

These activities are also available in Digital Form ! Have students use them during independent center time, writing block, or as an assignment at home.

Learn more about descriptive writing by reading 3 Ways to Improve Paragraph Writing Using Descriptive Writing .

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Awesome Descriptive Writing Checklist and Cheat Sheet for Students

What is descriptive writing? The real question is this: How do student writers use descriptive writing effectively in real writing? When teachers can answer this question, they know how to use their time wisely to teach descriptive writing.

I mention this because the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) uses three text types: 1) Argument/Opinion, 2) Informational/Explanatory, and 3) Narrative. And another thing to consider is this: When is the last time you wrote or read an entire descriptive essay?

While the CCSS does not include description as a main text type, it does mention description throughout the standards using these terms:

!   description, descriptive details, descriptions of actions, narrative descriptions, and write precise enough descriptions of the step-by-step procedures.

In short, the CCSS emphasizes two types of descriptive writing:

1.   Descriptive writing as a tool in narrative, expository, and argument writing.

2.   Expository Descriptive Writing: This kind of description is really expository writing. Sometimes it’s called General Description or Scientific Description.

The following list focuses on the first type of descriptive writing.

========================================================

Descriptive Writing Tips, Checklist, and Cheat Sheet

1.   The writer creates vivid pictures of people, places, things, and events in the mind of the reader using description and sensory details.

2.   The writer vividly describes experiences and events bringing them to life.

3.   The writer effectively describes processes in detail.

4.   The writer’s description follows a logical pattern of organization: e.g., general outline or impression to specific details.

5.   The writer creates powerful descriptions using sensory details and imagery. The writer’s language appeals to the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

6.   The writer’s description contains an effective use of figurative language: simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, etc.

7.   The writer skillfully uses description with purpose. The writer describes things that help the reader visualize and understand. The writer describes things that the reader needs to visualize in order to understand.

8.   The writer skillfully chooses things that need description:

a.   The writer chooses nouns (people, places, things, ideas) that need description. b.   The writer chooses events (things that happen) that need description. c.   The writer chooses processes (actions and steps that outline how things happen) that need description.

9.   The writer describes things that are noticeable, memorable, important, or interesting. The writer avoids describing things that are trivial or unimportant.

10.   The writer avoids purple-prose descriptive writing. The writer avoids descriptive writing that distracts from and breaks the flow of the composition’s main purpose and main message. The descriptive writing is not too elaborate, too extravagant, or too flowery. Furthermore, the writer does not provide too much description.

11.   Without the writer’s descriptions, the piece of writing would be bland and lacking. The word pictures that the writer paints are necessary and fascinating.

12.   The writer skillfully and appropriately navigates between using descriptive details, descriptive passages, and descriptive paragraphs. If the piece of writing is a descriptive whole composition (i.e., a descriptive essay), the writer’s purpose is clear.

13.   The writer skillfully uses adjectives, adverbs, and figurative language (similes, metaphors, etc.) to bring the description to life. The writer does not underuse them or overuse them.

14.   The writer finds interesting and novel ways to include description:

a.   The writer combines description with action. b.   The writer uses dialogue as a tool for description. c.   The writer uses quotes to describe.

15.   The writer uses description as an effective tool that is appropriate for the genre:

a.   Main Genre: 1) argument, 2) expository, 3) narrative, 4) descriptive. b.   Narrative-Story Genre: mystery, personal narrative, action-adventure story, tale (folktale, fairy tale, tall tale, etc.), historical fiction, etc. c.   Format Genre: essay, story, report, article, letter, advertisement, daily school work, etc.

16.   The writer uses description to “Show, Don’t Tell.” As Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) famously said, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

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• How to write a descriptive essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Descriptive Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 30, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 14, 2023.

A descriptive essay gives a vivid, detailed description of something—generally a place or object, but possibly something more abstract like an emotion. This type of essay , like the narrative essay , is more creative than most academic writing .

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Table of contents

Descriptive essay topics, tips for writing descriptively, descriptive essay example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about descriptive essays.

When you are assigned a descriptive essay, you’ll normally be given a specific prompt or choice of prompts. They will often ask you to describe something from your own experience.

• Describe a place you love to spend time in.
• Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.

You might also be asked to describe something outside your own experience, in which case you’ll have to use your imagination.

• Describe the experience of a soldier in the trenches of World War I.
• Describe what it might be like to live on another planet.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to describe something more abstract, like an emotion.

If you’re not given a specific prompt, try to think of something you feel confident describing in detail. Think of objects and places you know well, that provoke specific feelings or sensations, and that you can describe in an interesting way.

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The key to writing an effective descriptive essay is to find ways of bringing your subject to life for the reader. You’re not limited to providing a literal description as you would be in more formal essay types.

Make use of figurative language, sensory details, and strong word choices to create a memorable description.

Use figurative language

Figurative language consists of devices like metaphor and simile that use words in non-literal ways to create a memorable effect. This is essential in a descriptive essay; it’s what gives your writing its creative edge and makes your description unique.

Take the following description of a park.

This tells us something about the place, but it’s a bit too literal and not likely to be memorable.

If we want to make the description more likely to stick in the reader’s mind, we can use some figurative language.

Here we have used a simile to compare the park to a face and the trees to facial hair. This is memorable because it’s not what the reader expects; it makes them look at the park from a different angle.

You don’t have to fill every sentence with figurative language, but using these devices in an original way at various points throughout your essay will keep the reader engaged and convey your unique perspective on your subject.

Use your senses

Another key aspect of descriptive writing is the use of sensory details. This means referring not only to what something looks like, but also to smell, sound, touch, and taste.

Obviously not all senses will apply to every subject, but it’s always a good idea to explore what’s interesting about your subject beyond just what it looks like.

Even when your subject is more abstract, you might find a way to incorporate the senses more metaphorically, as in this descriptive essay about fear.

Choose the right words

Writing descriptively involves choosing your words carefully. The use of effective adjectives is important, but so is your choice of adverbs , verbs , and even nouns.

It’s easy to end up using clichéd phrases—“cold as ice,” “free as a bird”—but try to reflect further and make more precise, original word choices. Clichés provide conventional ways of describing things, but they don’t tell the reader anything about your unique perspective on what you’re describing.

Try looking over your sentences to find places where a different word would convey your impression more precisely or vividly. Using a thesaurus can help you find alternative word choices.

• My cat runs across the garden quickly and jumps onto the fence to watch it from above.
• My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above.

However, exercise care in your choices; don’t just look for the most impressive-looking synonym you can find for every word. Overuse of a thesaurus can result in ridiculous sentences like this one:

• My feline perambulates the allotment proficiently and capers atop the palisade to regard it from aloft.

An example of a short descriptive essay, written in response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how a descriptive essay works.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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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.

If you’re not given a specific prompt for your descriptive essay , think about places and objects you know well, that you can think of interesting ways to describe, or that have strong personal significance for you.

The best kind of object for a descriptive essay is one specific enough that you can describe its particular features in detail—don’t choose something too vague or general.

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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.

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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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Descriptive writing lesson plan for differentiated learning

by Divya Pandanda | 11 Jan 2016

This detailed lesson plan provides teachers with an introductory lesson to the unit on developing descriptive writing skills. it takes into account the fact that different learners learn differently, thus incorporating Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences. It also includes the resources that one could use the classroom, at the same time allowing teachers the flexibility to tweak it to cater to the needs of their students.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

Audience: Secondary

Audience Language Proficiency: Intermediate

Duration: 2 x 40 mins

• iTunes audio of sea waves
• Extract from Roald Dahl's, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
• Pictures of a haunted house, market scene, garden, zoo.
• Projector, A4 sheets and coloured pens
• Descriptive writing toolkit

By the end of the lesson/s the students will be able to:

• Identify 2-3 types of imagery as used to describe some scene/person/object
• Comment on the imagery/word choice in terms of the effect created
• Focus on and analyze the effect of the word choice made by an author in a given passage
• Use language acquired or by referring to the toolkit to create a short piece.

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to realize the importance of appropriate word choice to create a certain effect- one of the key tenets to creating effective descriptive pieces. They will recognize how a simple word change can create a different effect. Through discussions with one another, they will also see that a certain word or image may have different connotations for different people depending on their experience and learning style. The idea is to make them feel empowered about the word choices they make individually.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/descriptive-writing-experience

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/directions-writing-descriptive-essay-middle-school-9294.html

http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/922   30 ideas to teach writing

http://www.ehow.com/how_2197270_descriptive-writing-middle-school-students.html

https://prezi.com/a-akkjpgnn9p/descriptive-writing-for-middle-school-students/

Supporting Files: Descriptive Writing Lesson Plan For Differentiated Learning 01.pdf Descriptive Writing Lesson Plan For Differentiated Learning 02.pdf Descriptive Writing Lesson Plan For Differentiated Learning 03.pdf Descriptive Writing Lesson Plan For Differentiated Learning 04.pdf Descriptive Writing Lesson Plan For Differentiated Learning 05.pdf

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an Upper Elementary Blog

Teaching Descriptive Writing in the Upper Elementary Grades

Descriptive writing is one of my favorite units to teach. I love that it gives students lots of room for creativity while also getting them to think critically about a topic or story event. And it reinforces the idea that when we write, we write for the reader – we want to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

Learning how to “show, not tell” isn’t just important in writing workshop. It also helps students in science (when recording observations) and social studies (when explaining about important people, places, and events).

Teaching Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing won’t be new to your 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders, but it’s still something they need to practice. We don’t want them to write a list of adjective-heavy sentences. We want them to engage the reader while describing in detail a topic or moment in a story. Lots of modeling, practice, and student-made anchor charts are great to use in these lessons.

Some minilessons you might teach include sensory details , figurative language, using specific vocabulary (i.e., vivid verbs, choosing synonyms for overused words, etc.), and varying sentence length and structur e.

Revising is also important since we want students to make sure their writing is cohesive and on topic. Students often think more = better when it comes to descriptive writing, but that’s not always the case. Having opportunities to read their writing aloud and get partner feedback is really helpful.

Use Mentor Texts

Descriptive writing mentor texts are a great way to share concrete examples of “show, not tell”. Owl Moon is a classic go-to, but here are some of my favorite books that may be new to your students!

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I love how Elisha Cooper takes a simple topic and describes it in such detail! Beach , Train , and Farm are great for modeling how to do a deep dive on a topic.

Ten Ways to Hear Snow is one of my new favorite picture books! You can use this charming story to model descriptive and narrative writing and, in particular, sensory language . It’d be great to have students write their own versions on other nature topics.

Another nice mentor text to use is The Night Box . It includes personification, onomatopoeia, similes, and metaphors that add detail to the story. And I love the tie-in to day and night if you want to fit in a quick science review!

Roller Coaster is one more tried-and-true read-aloud to model descriptive details. I like how it’s not just a description of how a coaster looks or how quickly it moves, but also what the people riding it experience.

Come On, Rain works well for teaching sensory language as well as how to write a small moment story. I love how Hesse uses vivid vocabulary to make the reader really feel the heat and the rain!

The Wild Robot is a must-have chapter book for upper elementary classrooms! You can read the whole book or an excerpt to model how sensory language and specific word choice help the reader to easily visualize the setting.

And don’t forget poetry! The Great Frog Race , The Best Part of Me , and collections of haikus and concrete poetry are awesome to use during this unit, too!

Revise Boring Sentences

This one’s so easy, but it works! Have students compare a short sentence with a much more descriptive one. Which one is more interesting/helpful, and why?

Then you can practice taking a short sentence and revising it to make it more descriptive and appealing to the reader. This is a great whole-class kick-off before students write on their own.

Use Picture Prompts

I love using pictures for writing prompts in this unit! Funny photos, landscape pics, photos of food and animals, and even famous paintings are fun to use. I like to use a mix of busy and simple images.

Bring in Media Messages

A descriptive writing unit is an easy place to tie in media messages . You can have students analyze radio commercials, print ads, real estate and catalog listings, etc., to see how the author used descriptive language. And then have them create their own media messages describing favorite products they want people to buy! They LOVE this activity!

I’ve also had students write travel brochures for places we’ve studied (like Virginia’s regions and bodies of water). That’s a perfect way to hit social studies during your writing workshop!

Play a Game

This activity is so simple and it’s always a hit! Have them write a short descriptive paragraph or poem about a food, toy, sport, instrument, place in your community, etc. Display them on desks or make a bulletin board, and then have students try to guess what each describes.

A modified version of “I Spy” is also good practice! You can have students zoom in on tiny details to make it more challenging.

Descriptive Writing Practice

Looking for a resource to use to teach this unit? My forms of writing digital activities walk students through descriptive writing with a sample text, guided practice, editable word lists, checklists, rubrics, and more.

I hope you and your students enjoy your descriptive writing lessons! What other favorite activities do you have to model and teach this form of writing?

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4 Ways to Teach Descriptive Writing to Your Students

Writing descriptively doesn’t just happen… it is a writing behavior that has to be learned and taught. I love descriptive writing and often post about it on Instagram and this topic of discussion ends up being one of my most popular posts! In a moment, we will take a deep dive into descriptive writing and I will be giving you 4 ways to include this within your school day and interactions with students. This will be helpful in giving them the necessary exposure which will transfer over into their writing!

Writing descriptively is hard enough so this is something that has to be practiced. An easy way to get this daily practice in is to use it. Try adding it to your everyday language and follow it up by asking students what your words meant. To do this, you can:

• be intentional with the words you use; try to use figurative language and give opportunities for kids to experience those phrases with you
• encourage students to use it as well; if they say something that can lend itself to being said in a more descriptive way, help them with that – replace their sentence with the new language
• utilize class videos; listen for when people are using the expressions and pause the video to talk about it – take any moment where someone is speaking and using descriptive words and language to show kids they can use it, too

Let me give you some examples of what encouraging students to use it could sound like:

“I heard you say you were tired ; did it feel like you haven’t slept in a month ?”

“I heard you say you were hungry ; does it feel like you could eat an entire elephant right now ?”

“I heard you say you were happy ; does it feel like your smile is stretching a mile wide ?”

This is actually a very engaging way to teach language. The easiest way to incorporate this into your class is to give students an emotion and let them play charades; you can draw attention to their facial expressions and body movements putting words to those actions. Like all things, you will want to model this at first and then you can allow them to have a try.

• Simply write an emotion or feeling on a piece of paper, sticky note, or index card and allow them to begin acting out. This does not need to be fancy. For example, you would hand out the word “embarrassed” and have a child act it out. When someone guesses, they will share how they came to that conclusion… was it the hand gestures being made, the eyes looking down, being bashful, legs moving inward… get your students using the language to explain!
• You can have all kids act out the word you say and call out what you see kids doing. This will help to plant the language that could turn into descriptors when they are writing. This is also great to help them generate any words and phrases to support the 5 senses: what are you seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting?
• You, yourself, can act it out. Don’t use any words and act out how you are feeling. Have kids explain what they saw. Write it down on chart paper. Ask them, “How is Miss Polk feeling? “How do you know?” This is a powerful modeled approach.

Be intentional with your read aloud and mentor texts that you are using in your teaching instruction. You will want to focus on highlighting the descriptive words seen or adding the phrase to a classroom poster that kids can refer back to. The practice and action of finding where this language exists in text is key!

I want to be upfront and admit – this requires planning. If you want to be intentional, you will have to scan your texts ahead of time to find these examples within the words you are reading. Look for those opportunities where kids can see what authors have written and discuss why it was written that way.

Another common place to find this language is in your guided reading texts. Use texts that children are already going to be exploring and add on the descriptive language component.

You may find that going on a hunt will be exciting for your students. A figurative language hunt is a great idea because figurative language IS descriptive writing! Have kids add what they find to a sticky note and keep a chart somewhere. This exposure is purposeful and also helps in assisting with reading comprehension, too!

Give your students anchor charts or resources that can scaffold their practice with descriptive writing skills. This is going to help tremendously when you are wanting students to produce descriptive writing on their own – they need to be shown scaffolds and examples that they can borrow or draw from. Try:

• Adding charts to a descriptive writing wall; you can print charts mini and add a binder ring to allow them to move portably around the room
• Adding a descriptive language binder to your writing center resources – fill it with actual student examples in writing, examples found in mentor texts, read alouds, and guided reading texts, or heard from people or videos
• Giving students their own mini version of these supports to keep in their notebooks; kids can reference them at any time and kids can be held accountable versus asking you

The 4 ways you can teach descriptive writing to your students are to use it in your everyday language and encourage them to use it; show it with your actions and let kids act it out as well, find it in texts that you read and places where kids will interact with words and language, and the final way is to give it to your students by way of reference charts for quick access – this can be anchor charts – printing mini so students have access at their fingertips.

If you need additional support for descriptive writing techniques like show dont tell , figurative language , better word choice synonyms for common words, or creative ways to begin and end your writing ( writing hooks and conclusions ), I have a bundle you may want to check out ! It will support you and your students when it comes to writing.

Writing Made Simple

If you are looking for engaging and creative writing opportunities to incorporate into your classroon, Writing Made Simple is for you! These writing routines can be done in 10 minutes or less and will have your students eagerly wanting to write and always wanting to know what’s coming next! You can learn more about Writing Made Simple HERE .

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How to Write a Strong Descriptive Essay

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

Brainstorming Ideas for the Essay

Writing the essay, polishing the essay, outline for a descriptive essay, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,529,243 times.

A good descriptive essay creates a vivid picture of the topic in the reader’s mind. You may need to write a descriptive essay as a class assignment or you may decide to write one as a fun writing challenge. Start by brainstorming ideas for the essay. Then, outline and write the essay using vivid sensory details and strong descriptions. Always polish your essay and proofread it so it is at its best.

Best Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay

Outline the essay in sections and create a thesis statement to base the essay on. Then, write a strong introduction and describe the subject matter using creative and vivid adjectives. Use similes, metaphors, and your own emotions to help you bring the topic to life.

• You could also choose a fictional person to write about, such as a character in a book, a story, or a play. You could write about a character on your favorite TV show or video game.

• Another take on this option is to write about a made-up place or object, such as the fantastical school in your favorite book or the magic wand from your favorite TV show.

• You could also choose a more specific emotion, such as brotherly love or self-hatred. These emotions can make for powerful descriptive essays.

• For example, if you were writing about a person like your mother, you may write down under “sound” : “soft voice at night, clack of her shoes on the floor tiles, bang of the spoon when she cooks.”

• If you are writing the essay for a class, your instructor should specify if they want a five paragraph essay or if you have the freedom to use sections instead.

• For example, if you were writing a descriptive essay about your mother, you may have a thesis statement like: “In many ways, my mother is the reigning queen of our house, full of contradictions that we are too afraid to question.”

• For example, if you were writing the essay about your mom, you may start with: “My mother is not like other mothers. She is a fierce protector and a mysterious woman to my sisters and I.”
• If you were writing an essay about an object, you may start with: "Try as I might, I had a hard time keeping my pet rock alive."

• You can also use adjectives that connect to the senses, such “rotting,” “bright,” “hefty,” “rough,” and “pungent.”
• For example, you may describe your mother as "bright," "tough," and "scented with jasmine."

• You can also use similes, where you use “like” or “as” to compare one thing to another. For example, you may write, “My mother is like a fierce warrior in battle, if the battlefield were PTA meetings and the checkout line at the grocery store.”

• For example, you may write about your complicated feelings about your mother. You may note that you feel sadness about your mother’s sacrifices for the family and joy for the privileges you have in your life because of her.

• For example, you may end a descriptive essay about your mother by noting, “In all that she has sacrificed for us, I see her strength, courage, and fierce love for her family, traits I hope to emulate in my own life.”

• You can also read the essay aloud to others to get their feedback. Ask them to let you know if there are any unclear or vague sentences in the essay.

• Be open to constructive criticism and feedback from others. This will only make your essay stronger.

• If you have a word count requirement for the essay, make sure you meet it. Add more detail to the paper or take unnecessary content out to reach the word count.

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• ↑ https://www.writeexpress.com/descriptive-essay.html
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
• ↑ https://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/organization-and-structure/descriptive-writing.html
• ↑ https://spcollege.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=10168248
• ↑ https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/descriptive_essay.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/descriptive_essays.html

About This Article

To write a descriptive essay, start by choosing a topic, like a person, place, or specific emotion. Next, write down a list of sensory details about the topic, like how it sounds, smells, and feels. After this brainstorming session, outline the essay, dividing it into an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Open with a vivid introduction that uses sensory details, then introduce your thesis statement, which the rest of your essay should support. Strengthen your essay further by using metaphors and similes to describe your topic, and the emotions it evokes. To learn how to put the finishing touches on your essay, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Descriptive Writing: The BEST Way to Teach It

Filed Under: ELA , writing

Descriptive writing is one of my favorite types of writing to teach. If you pick the right topic, it can be completely relatable to your students. They can get excited about the lesson, which in turn keeps them engaged throughout the unit. Talking about things they love is one of their favorite things to do. So. today I’m sharing the BEST way to teach descriptive writing in your classroom.

What is Descriptive Writing?

Descriptive writing is a type of writing where the author uses details that will paint a picture using their words. Writers will have a detailed visual image of certain places, people, things, or events. Using our 5 senses: taste, sight, hearing, touch, and sound will elevate the entire experience for the reader.

Descriptive Writing in the Classroom

Over the years, I have found one descriptive writing lesson that stands out above the rest. It is super effective because it teaches the skill while peaking my students’ interests. This activity allows them to use their imaginations, so they stay engaged throughout the entire unit. Involving others (their parents and another class of students) in the lesson helps to raise the bar and push my students to want to be even more successful. Plus, it involves monsters. What more could you ask for?

Monsters & More

Every child has had some type of interaction with a “monster.” It may be the one living under their bed, the one who hides out in the closet, the one in their favorite bedtime story, or the one who visits them when they’re lonely. Regardless of how they know their monster, they’ll be ready to tell you and their friends all about him/her. And . . . if for some reason they don’t personally know a monster, they won’t have any trouble imagining one up on the fly.

Describe Your Monster

This Descriptive Writing Monster Unit is perfect for grades 3 through 6. If you teach third graders, be prepared to provide additional support as this will be a new concept for them. Older students will have already been introduced to the concept of descriptive writing so they can work on honing their skills.

In this unit, students will draw their own monster and then complete a descriptive writing activity based on their creation. The goal is to write with such a good description that someone else can accurately draw the monster without seeing it.

Let’s break down the BEST way to teach descriptive writing.

Day 1: Descriptive Writing Mini-Lesson

Begin your descriptive writing unit with a mini-lesson. I like to teach this using a PowerPoint describing what exactly descriptive writing is and why it is important. We discuss how descriptive writing creates a picture in the reader’s mind using the 5 senses.

Then, we go through short interactive paragraphs which use descriptive words of each of the senses.

Students take turns coming to the board to identify what they can hear, taste, touch, smell, etc. We end day 1 with an activity where students come up with as many adjectives as they can for each of the 5 senses.

Day 2: Drawing & Listening

On day 2 of the unit, I provide them with a sample monster writing activity. They read through it and draw the monster as they read. Another option is to read the sample aloud to them. You may need to read it several times. This makes a great listening comprehension activity.

This activity helps experience finding details in the writing and converting them into a picture. After they draw the monster from the description, I let students compare it to the original monster drawing created by the author. It’s also fun to compare with classmates too. I like to have them complete a Venn Diagram noting the similarities and differences between their drawing and the authors.

Now it’s time for the fun! Students get to draw their very own monster. I remind them that they can create their monster however they would like, but they will be describing their monster in writing in the days to come. I love seeing what they come up with.

Day 3: Descriptive Writing

Let the writing begin! Students will write their rough drafts today. I usually provide them with a template to follow. This gives them specific instructions and direction so they can spend less time worrying about what to do and more time focusing on their descriptive writing.

This also helps to ensure that they include all the necessary details in their writing to describe their monster.

Day 4: Rough Drafts & Editing

Begin the day by wrapping up their descriptive writing rough drafts, and begin the peer editing process.

If you don’t usually peer edit in your classroom, I highly recommend it. It is a great way to truly see their understanding levels. You’ll get to see some students shine as they explain the process to their partners.

I also love to use this time as an opportunity to get parents involved. One night of homework will be to take their rough draft home and have their parents read it and create the monster from their writing. This is a great way for students to see how their descriptions are and to make any changes or additions to their writing.

Day 5: Final Drafts

It’s time to wrap up the editing process and begin the final drafts. By this point, students are focusing on those details and making sure that every part of their monster has been properly described.

If you have time, send it home one more time for parents to read and draw the monster.

Have students make any final changes and edits to the monster descriptive writing. Then they will complete their final draft.

Day 6: Test it Out

This is probably the favorite day of this unit. This is when students will get the writing of another student and a blank piece of paper. They will read the description and then draw the monster.

It is so much fun to pass out your student’s descriptive writing work and have another student draw their monsters. You can trade with students in your class, or if you have multiple classes completing the activity – it is always fun to trade with another class.

My students always love getting to see their work come to life. And . . . it definitely raises the stakes and pushes them to succeed when they know that their writing will be used for this purpose.

Day 7: Descriptive Collaborations

The fun doesn’t stop after the big draw. In fact, a lot of the learning happens here when you hand back your students’ original monster drawings and the drawing of their peers. Have students compare the two. What is the same? What is different? If you can, have the students meet up to discuss their drawings.

This is such a crucial part of the unit. I provide them with a peer discussion guide to be sure they stay on track and have guided, meaningful discussions.

Challenge your students to see if they can find the areas where they could add some description to their writing to get those final details to be properly described.

Day 8: Wrap it Up With a Poster

Students will create a monster poster. It will display their descriptive writing, their monster drawing, and their peer’s drawing. It is essentially a “mine” and “yours” poster.

Finally, they will fill out a monster writing reflection page to end the unit.

Want All of the Monster Descriptive Writing Fun in One Spot?

Grab the Descriptive Writing Monster Unit so you will have everything you need to get started. I know you and your students will love this comprehension unit. It truly is the BEST way to teach descriptive writing.

You’ll get:

• A day-by-day pacing guide (8 days total)
• A descriptive writing mini-lesson via PPT (29 slides- with student interactive worksheet)
• A teacher example (writing and drawing)
• A fun monster activities art project built into the writing unit
• Descriptive writing guide for students
• Reflection Guide
• Peer Evaluation
• Bulletin Board banner
• Descriptive writing anchor chart
• Compare/contrast worksheets

This unit will allow you to avoid the trickiness of teaching descriptive writing to elementary students. It is such a fun and interactive activity that will keep them completely engaged. They’ll be begging for more.

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Be sure to save this idea to your favorite ELA Pinterest board. You’ll be all set and ready to go with the BEST way to teach descriptive writing.

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How to Teach Descriptive Writing

Jan 7, 2022

How to teach descriptive writing when students don’t understand “show, don’t tell” is probably one of the hardest things for students to grasp, but these 3 small things can improve their “meh” writing in BIG ways. Also, it only takes a few minutes to practice!

Why descriptive writing is difficult to teach:

Kids know a good story when they read or hear or watch one, but they can’t necessarily pinpoint why. If the story has a lot of action or has awesome, relatable characters, then they like it.  They just know it happens, and that they are hooked by a good story told well. However, when they try to write their own stories, they often gloss over the details or don’t notice how an author uses description in a piece of literature. 

It takes a lot of practice over and over again. Of course, this takes time, and you have tons of standards to make sure your writers understand. So, the real reason descriptive writing is so difficult to teach is that it takes time. However, in just a few minutes a couple of times per week, you can practice these 3 ideas to get students writing with more specific detail. Additionally, they will notice those specific details more when they read as well. This will help them find the support they need for responses to literature and essays.

Trust me, it’s time well-spent!\\

Step 1: How to Teach Descriptive Writing: Mind Map

The first way to get students to improve description is to get them to mind map their description.

I always start off with a bell ringer for students to list down something to describe specifically, like favorite places or food. Then, the writer chooses ONE item from their list to describe. 

For this example, I’m going to use a favorite place. For students, I demonstrate how I would mind map a place.

Then, I give students a mind map to follow that includes questions, like where? When (day or night?) (how long ago the experience was), what the place looked like, sounded like, felt like?

These first mind maps will usually be pretty superficial, with details of objects in a place, but not any action or sensory details for the most part. Therefore, that brings me to the next step to teaching descriptive writing.

Step 2: How to Teach Descriptive Writing: Use Sensory Detail Word Lists

Another way I get students to improve description is by showing them how to use a sensory word list to add sensory details.

For example, I give students the sensory details list I’ve developed that breaks all the senses down and gives them hundreds of words to describe things using the 5 senses. 

First, I show students how the sensory word list is organized, and then I demonstrate how I use the list to add details to my mind map of a place.

Then, my writers add 2 sensory words to each object on their mind maps. 

From there, I show students how I would organize my mind map and where I would start my writing, numbering off each potential sentence. They do the same.

Finally, students write their descriptions and share them with each other.

Step 3: How to Teach Descriptive Writing: Action Verb Activities

The third way that writers improve description is by using action verbs. Now, this takes some practice because middle school students forget what verbs are and how they function in a sentence.

Simple sentences illustrate the power of action verbs. Subject-action verb constructions create movement in a reader’s mind. Show students how easy it is to create these power sentences by using these simple activities:

Subject- Action Verb lists. I do this activity with my students several times throughout the school year. I learned the original activity from one of my very dear friends, Victoria. 

The activity is a simple list of subjects and action verbs that use the senses. She used “Fall is here” as the topic. She had students create a list of fall nouns and then showed them how to use action verbs to make these objects move, smell, taste, and sound. 

Then, her writers created a poem out of their lists. They could add other words after their action verbs to add more to their descriptive poems. 

The power of this activity is that students begin to see that inanimate objects can seem to move, make sounds, or create a fragrance or flavor. For example, “turkeys roast” conjures multiple appeals to the senses – smell, taste, heat, flavor. All of this from two simple words.

Next steps for teaching description

I have students practice activities, similar to this one, multiple times throughout the school year. I usually start with describing a beach because it is the beginning of August when we go back to school, and we live in Florida. My writers listed 10 things they see on a beach. Then, they listed action verbs for each of these things. 

Next, they wrote a description of a day at the beach. 

I used a similar activity this past week when my writers described a favorite activity. This time they listed the verbs first, then the nouns. For example, I used cooking. I wrote a boring example of cooking pizza. Then, I wrote down 10 cooking verbs. I showed them my revised paragraph, and we discussed why this one was better. 

As a result, students wrote their own activity paragraphs based on their 10 action verbs for their favorite activity with vibrant descriptive words.

Working on descriptive writing can be fun and rewarding…

All writers, even our middle school writers, can create powerful descriptions through planning, sensory details, and action verbs. The more they practice this in their own writing, the better. Also, you won’t be as bored with reading their “meh” descriptions that all start to sound the same after a while.

Also, by teaching students how writers capture a reader’s attention, their comprehension improves as they notice writers using these descriptive techniques over and over again.

If you’d like to know more about how to help your students improve their writing skills, teach them the 5 tricks to breaking writer’s block. You can pick up my free teacher’s guide by clicking on this link: www.teach2write.com/5tricks .

This guide comes with printable and digital student worksheets, videos that show you how I teach each of the 5 tricks, and a free subscription to my newsletter that gives you more techniques, tips and tricks for teaching writing in middle school.

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How to Teach Descriptive Writing in Upper Elementary

By Mary Montero

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If you’ve ever read your elementary students’ writing and felt that something was missing, it’s possible that your students are lacking descriptive writing! Before we teach descriptive writing to students, stories often feel flat and bare. But with the help of a few descriptive writing activities, your students can have truly engaging stories!

Here’s my process for turning students’ simple writing into descriptive writing.

Be sure your students are confident in basic sentence structure.

Before you dive in, you want to make sure your students are crystal clear on basic sentence structure and rules, such as what a complete sentence looks like. The reason for this is because descriptive writing adds another layer of complexity. If you students are struggling with writing complete sentences, then that struggle will only worsen with more detailed writing. I have an entire blog post here about how I teach complete sentences to my students ! 

Another tip, if you don’t already have an anchor chart in your classroom or in your students notebooks that review complete sentences, I highly recommend doing that. This will give your students a reference point as you move to more complex writing.

Introduce descriptive language with a mentor sentence (or two).

Before you explain what descriptive writing is, try this easy activity. Give students two different sentences. The first sentence should be really basic. For example: I ate dessert. Then, give students a descriptive sentence that deals with the same topic: I devoured a delicious cheesecake after dinner. Ask students what they notice about these two sentences. How are they different? Which one helps you picture the scene better? What makes it better?

After this introduction, it’s time to introduce more detailed writing. Explain to students that descriptive writing helps the reader visualize what is being written – like a mental picture! We can create that mental picture with specific words.

Look between the two example sentences again. Ask students which verb is more specific. Which sentence contains more detail? Which sentence gives more information? That is the descriptive sentence. You can continue this exercise with several mentor sentences.

At the end of the lesson, you want your students to grasp this knowledge: with descriptive writing, we want vivid verbs, specific nouns, and descriptive adjectives and adverbs. We also want to know the who, when, what or how. This creates the mental image.

Use descriptive writing prompts with students.

After modeling and examples, it’s time for the fun part – writing! With your students first writing practice, you probably want to give them a descriptive writing prompt. This can be a basic sentence to work with or an image. Then, challenge students with creating a descriptive sentence!

I personally find that using picture prompts works best for starting descriptive writing. I have fifteen descriptive writing picture prompts that you can use! These can be printed or used digitally. Each prompt has an image and guides students through selecting specific words to use in their descriptive sentence.

It’s normal for students to struggle at first with descriptive writing. If you notice that they are using some repetitive verbs or adjectives, create a chart with alternatives (ex. alternatives for the word “pretty”) or show students how to find synonyms.

If students are using over-the-top alternatives, such as replacing “pretty” for “prepossessing”, then you definitely want to talk with students about using words they know and feel comfortable using – not just random words from the thesaurus.

More Writing Tips

Writing can be a challenging subject to teach, which is why I’m here to help you along the way. If you want more writing tips , check out my other writing blog posts !

Mary Montero

I’m so glad you are here. I’m a current gifted and talented teacher in a small town in Colorado, and I’ve been in education since 2009. My passion (other than my family and cookies) is for making teachers’ lives easier and classrooms more engaging.

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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

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8 ESL Descriptive Writing Activities

These sentences get the point across: 

I could smell the peppers. It was dinner time. I washed my hands. 

But we can make them more detailed and engaging :

The sweet, burnt scent of roasting peppers hung in the air. I knew dinner was almost ready. I washed my hands, watching the dirt swirl around the sink and disappear. 

How do you get your ESL students from the first example to the second? By introducing them to the wonders of descriptive writing!

The descriptive writing activities listed in this post can be adapted for any age group and all levels of ESL learners. With a little guidance from you, your students will be writing wonderfully descriptive sentences in no time.

8 Activities for Introducing ESL Students to Descriptive Writing

1. transform non-descriptive sentences to descriptive, 2. describe a painting or picture, 3. describe an object, 4. describe a restaurant, 5. describe your best friend or family member, 6. describe a favorite food, 7. describe your favorite room at home, 8. describe your best or worst vacation, why teach descriptive writing to esl students, how to make students aware of descriptive writing, literary devices, the five senses, reading for imagery.

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Here are some descriptive writing activities that will encourage your students to get creative with the English language! You can even tweak any of them to focus on certain categories of vocabulary words, such as food or travel. 

Prepare a worksheet with sentences that are rather basic and lacking description. Students must transform these sentences into more descriptive sentences. Remind your students to use their five senses and literary devices.

For example:

It was cold.→The air was frigid and I couldn’t feel my ears.

The car was red and fast.→The car was apple-red and could easily go 120 miles per hour.

Students can work individually or in pairs. They should share their sentences at the end of class.

Print out a selection of images. You can use famous paintings or photographs.

Assign a different image to each student, then ask them to describe it using their five senses, literary device and adjectives.

Give them a sufficient amount of time to think about it. Then, collect the images again and display them in front of the classroom. Students will then read their descriptions, and the rest of the class will try to determine which image the student is describing.

Let students choose an object and write a description of it for 10 minutes. Set a word minimum or maximum limit as needed and encourage them to be as descriptive as possible.

You can implement different guidelines. For example, “you can’t use any color names” or “you must use all five senses” or “you must use one literary device.”

Once they’re ready with their descriptions, students take turns reading their descriptions. The rest of the class must try to guess the object their classmate describes.

For this activity, challenge your students to write their own descriptive paragraphs. 

Have them describe their favorite restaurant. In a restaurant, all your senses are turned on and sight may be overwhelmed by smells and sounds .

At the end of class, ask for students to volunteer to share their descriptions before you collect their work.

This activity is great for focusing on other types of descriptions. In addition to describing appearances, students may also describe things such as mannerisms, feelings and characteristics .

Students should share their descriptions with the class.

I like this activity because it’s easy for students to simply describe the taste or sight of their favorite food, but they should also work on describing the smell of the food as it is prepared and the  texture  of the food in their mouths.

You can introduce different vocabulary related to food such as: salty, bitter, sweet and spicy.

Again, make sure you save time at the end of class for students to share their descriptions.

Another nice activity that gets students thinking is describing their favorite room in their home.

Students should think about size, colors, the atmosphere and furniture, among other things. Make sure you ask them to say why it’s their favorite room.

Save time at the end of the lesson for them to share what they wrote if they want.

This activity encourages students to bring their reader into the vacation. They must describe the setting, order of events and the people who were with them.

If you have time, encourage them to write about both a great vacation and an awful vacation, which will make them work with descriptions and words of both positive and  negative connotation.

Descriptive writing can be summed up in one short statement: Show, don’t tell. 

Descriptive writing creates a clear image in the reader’s head. It describes something or someone accurately and in a way that makes it come alive for the reader.

For ESL learners, practicing descriptive writing can not only enhance their writing but also be a fun and creative way to practice English. After all, descriptive writing exposes them to some of the more subtle and beautiful aspects of the English language, such as diverse vocabulary and literary devices like similes and personification.

Begin with explaining some of the general ideas of descriptive writing. Before students can write descriptively, they must understand the basics of descriptive writing.

Aside from having a solid list of adjectives and adverbs at their fingertips, they should be familiar with the following concepts:

Descriptive writing is more than just using adjectives and adverbs. Literary devices can help writers write descriptively.

Here’s a sample list of useful literary devices. Choose what you want to introduce depending on the level of your students: 

• Alliteration: The repetition of a sound or letter in words close to each other.
• Imagery:  The visual description of something.
• Onomatopoeia: Words that sound like the sounds they describe.
• Personification: Giving inanimate objects living attributes.
• Simile: Comparing two things with the words “like” or “as.”

Practice using these devices by having students create individual sentences for each. Give students a chance to share their sentences with the whole class.

Another key element to good descriptive writing is using all five senses . Most of the time, students get into the habit of describing only what can be seen. However, it’s important to incorporate all of the senses: taste, touch, sight, smell and sound.

Write the five senses on the board, and list down relevant adjectives under each. Encourage students to share as many adjectives as they can think of.

Then ask your students to think of different ways to describe the classroom using different senses. What do they see? What do they hear? What does the classroom smell like? What does it feel like to sit in the classroom? Since the classroom has no taste (hopefully), for the taste column you can ask students to describe what they ate that morning.

Ask your students to write a few sentences individually and give them a chance to share with the class.

Another great way to introduce the idea of descriptive writing to your students is to have them read some examples. Read a descriptive passage (either your own or one you found online) and have students identify the literary devices and senses that are used.

Alternatively, you can give them two passages to compare and contrast, one that’s lacking descriptive language and one that describes the same thing, but more creatively.

Take it one step further by removing some of the descriptive language and asking students to use their own words to complete the passage.

These activities will really get your students thinking about writing and writing descriptively. And remember, get creative yourself! Descriptive writing can be applied to just about any topic.

Happy writing!

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