Descriptive Essays Writing

What is a descriptive essay?• It is a written assignment intended to

describe the subject matter to the readers so that they get a complete understanding of the subject based on your description. It is a creative, personal, or simply artistic essay. Descriptive essay aims at creating a deeply involved and vivid experience for the reader. It is achieved not through facts and statistics as research paper but using detailed observations and descriptions.

How to start a descriptive essay?

• First of all, identify exactly what you want to describe. Often a descriptive essay focuses on describing people, places/ buildings, objects, events, memory. Describing a person essay or any other kind of essay means to present a collection of opinions. That is why you can try to write and describe anything you want as well as you can. When you start writing a descriptive essay about a place, you should think about your descriptive essay topic and a place, event or a process you are going to describe.

What is a structure …• Descriptive essay about a place or

describing a person essay which are the most popular should be brief and informative. The thesis statement you are writing should be in a form of a question the answer to which you give in the body part of your essay.

• Descriptive essay introduction should present the general idea of the topic.

• The main body describes places, events or people as vividly as possible so that the reader can easily form a clear picture of the whole story.

• Descriptive essay conclusion summarizes the entire paper, points out the main ideas of the work.

• Note: Sometimes it is obligatory to add table of contents, paper outline or summary.

Here are some tips …1.Use abstract and

concrete images and ideas;

Here are some tips …• Try to use a variety of adverbs and adjectives in your paper. Do not use too many metaphors and adjectives.

Here are some tips …• Focus on 5 senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, smell) to show a vivid experience to your readers.

Here are some tips …• Include all details available

to ensure that your reader gain a vivid impression of your emotion or perspective in a descriptive essay on a person.

Here are some tips …• Let each paragraph of your essay focus on one aspect of your description.

Here are some tips …• Focus on descriptive details of a situation, activity or a personality (depending on the type of an essay).

Things to Consider as You Write Your Descriptive Essay• Think of a place that you want to

describe. • Why is this particular instance

important? • Why is this place important? • Is there anything specific that stands out

in your mind? • Where were objects located? • How did the surroundings remind you of

other places you have been?

Things to Consider as You Write Your Descriptive Essay• What sights, smells, sounds, and tastes were in

the air? • Did the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes

remind you of anything? • What feelings do you feel in this place? • Has there been an instance in which you have

felt this way before? • What do you want the reader to feel after

reading the paper? • What types of words and images can convey

this feeling?

Things to Consider as You Write Your Descriptive Essay• Is there enough detail

in your essay to create a mental image for the reader?

The assignment …

Follow the writing process to Write a Descriptive Essay About Your Favorite Place

1. Write an essay that focuses on an inviting subject(YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD),contains a variety of supporting information (sensory details, memory details, and so on), informs and entertains the reader.

2. When writing, organize in a logical way. Include an engaging beginning, strong development, and an effective ending. The essay should form a meaningful whole, moving smoothly from one main point to the next.

3. Write with an Engaging Voice. Voice is personality, shine through what you say and how you say it! Displays a thorough knowledge of the subject, and speaks with an appropriate ACADEMIC voice.

4. When choosing words, be Original. Use contains specific nouns, vivid verbs, and colorful modifiers. Capture the subject’s ideas and feeling in dialogue.

5. Be stylish. Sentences should flow smoothly from one idea to the next. Usevariation in sentence structure.

6. Formatting and Grammar are important. Correct, Accurate Copy. Adhere toThe basic rules of writing. Follow the appropriate format for citing sources (MLA).

Traits 1 (each box =10 pts) 2(each box =12 pts) 3(each box =13 pts) 4(each box =14 pts)

Focus &Details

The topic and main ideas are not clear.

There is one topic. Main ideas are somewhat clear.

There is one clear, well focused topic. Main ideas are clear but are not well supported by detailed information.

There is one clear, well focused topic. Main ideas are clear and are well supported by detailed and accurate information.

OrganizationThere is no clearintroduction, structure,or conclusion.

The introduction statesthe main topic. Aconclusion is included.

The introduction statesthe main topic andprovides an overviewof the paper. A conclusion is included.

The introduction is inviting, states the main topic, and provides an overview of the paper. Information is relevant and presented in a logical order. The conclusion is strong.

Voice The author’s purpose of writing is unclear.

The author’s purpose of writing is somewhat clear, and there is evidence of attention to audience. The author’s knowledge and/or experience with the topic is/are limited.

The author’s purpose of writing is somewhat clear, and there is some evidence of attention to audience. The author’s knowledge and/or experience with the topic is/are evident.

The author’s purpose of writing is very clear, and there is strong evidence of attention to audience. The author’s extensive knowledge and/or experience with the topic is/are evident.

Word Choice The writer uses a limited vocabulary. Jargon or clichés may be present and detract from the meaning.

The author uses words that communicate clearly, but the writing lacks variety.

The author uses vivid words and phrases. The choice and placement of words is inaccurate at times and/or seems overdone.

The author uses vivid words and phrases. The choice and placement of words seems accurate, natural, and not forced.

SentenceStructure,Grammar,Mechanics, &Spelling

Sentences sound awkward, are distractingly repetitive, or are difficult to understand. The author makes 6 or more errors in grammar, mechanics, and/or spelling that interfere with understanding.

Most sentences are well constructed, but have a similar structure and/or length. The author makes 4 – 5 errors in grammar, mechanics, and/or spelling that interfere with understanding.

Most sentences are well constructed and have varied structure and length. The author makes a 1 -3 errors in grammar, mechanics, and/or spelling, but they do not interfere with understanding.

All sentences are well constructed and have varied structure and length. The author makes no errors in grammar, mechanics, and/or spelling.

Format 6 or more mistakes in MLA 4-5 mistakes in MLA formatting 1-3 mistakes in MLA formatting No mistakes in MLA formatting:typed, Times New Roman, size 12 font, double spaced, standard margins, and title and headings and citations are correct.

The Writing Process

Only 1 step in the process Only 2 steps in the process Only 3 steps in the process At least 4 steps in the process: Planning, legible Rough Draft, Revised Work, Edited, and Rubric.

On time? 2 points -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: ________________________________ Date: __________ P# _______ E25.3 Rubric: Description of Place

1) LIST the Places you Have been.

2) Colors and other details

3) When you are there what do you ….. SeeHearTasteSmellTouch “FEEL” – with the heart

4) When you are there – what

you do, what you see, and what you think ……

5) Compare it To ……

….an animal ….. Inanimate object …. A natural disaster

6) Why is it your favorite …

7 Bumper Sticker Saying • What saying – truism – would you say about this place …..

Assessment Checklist for Descriptive Essays Stimulating Ideas The writing . . . ____focuses on an inviting subject. ____contains a variety of supporting information (sensory details, memory details, and so on). ____informs and entertains the reader

Logical Organization ____includes an engaging beginning, strong development, and an effective ending. ____forms a meaningful whole, moving smoothly from one main point to the next.

Engaging Voice ____displays a thorough knowledge of the subject. ____ speaks with an appropriate voice.

Original Word Choice ____contains specific nouns, vivid verbs, and colorful modifiers. ____captures the subject’s ideas and feeling in dialogue.

Effective Sentence Style ____flows smoothly from one idea to the next. ____shows variation in sentence structure.

Correct, Accurate Copy ____adheres to the basic rules of writing ____follows the appropriate format for citing sources (MLA).