The Descriptive Essay English 1201 and 3201

The Descriptive Essay A type of essay that presents sensory details about a person, place or object. We use the perceptions of our five senses to describe

The Descriptive Essay Uses details to create an impression or paint a picture Can be a technical description – concrete description, facts like height, weight, color. Reproduces an exact picture in the reader’s mind without using emotion or personal feelings Uses more literal language – ex: literally black is a color or shade

Descriptive Essay May be an emotive description: reveals feelings. Attempts to make the reader see. Words and details to create a dominant impression Uses a lot of figurative language: Creates the desired emotion in the reader simile, metaphor and personification ex: figuratively – what can the word black represent? Uses only enough details to create a dominant impression Ex: the writer may use figurative language and vivid diction to create an impression such as loneliness, confusion, or excitement

Descriptive Essay Objective – unbiased Subjective – biased/impressionistic of the author

Descriptive Essay Spatial order is important in developing description Could be side to side, back to front, top to bottom, foreground to background, and so on.

Descriptive Essay Could involve use of concrete words (things you experience through senses, e.g. smoke, mist, a shout) or abstract words (names qualities, e.g. justice, beauty, truth)

Descriptive Essay The point of view is the vantage point from with the writer describes. This may include the physical point of view - ex: from a mountain top Or a psychological point of view – think of rap music described by your grandparents vs. described by a teenager. Likely different points of view.

Sample Essay: The Empire State Building (excerpt) The United States was the first country to build skyscrapers. The amazing technology used to raise buildings that seemed to touch the sky has developed and improved, and now incredible skyscrapers of all shapes and configurations are one of America’s visit cards. However, there is one iconic building which, despite that it was built almost a century ago, still remains one of America’s symbols. This is the Empire State Building. Built in 1931, this skyscraper counts 102 floors, and its height is 1454 feet. Located in Manhattan, it occupies an area around 208,879 m². Surprisingly, but considering its size, the Empire State Building was raised only in 410 days, with the effort of approximately 3,400 construction workers. What is even more surprising, the skyscraper did not cost much (in relative prices); including the price of land, the estimated price of the project was $40,948,000 – not too much for such a gigantic building even at those times, with the cost of the building itself only being $24,718,000. (Academichelp.net)

Sample Essay The Empire State Building Uses concrete description – 102 floors, 1454 feet

Sample Descriptive Essay Have You Ever Seen an Oarfish? (excerpt) An oarfish is a gigantic and extremely elongated sea creature; its length can reach about 17 meters long. Presumably, they have earned their name due to their length and a slightly compressed body shape. However, its Latin (and scientific) name, which sounds like Regalicidae, is translated as “royal” which makes this species a “king” of other fish. Anyways, it does not mean that all the exemplars of the oarfish are that long; in most cases, their length varies between 2-4 meters (New World Encyclopedia). Oarfish usually inhabit the tropics, though they also can be seen in other regions of the world ocean. (Academichelp.net)

Sample Essay: Have You Ever Seen an Oarfish? Again, uses objective, technical language and facts to create an accurate picture Gigantic, length varies 2-4 meters, etc.

Skateboard Heaven Engl 1201 We will read the descriptive essay together As I read – look for examples that appeal to the five senses (underline or highlight) Read again – look for figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification)

Sample Answer The author of “Skateboard Heaven” uses figurative language effectively to describe his experience. He uses metaphors like comparing the skate-park to a “concrete beast” and the image of the skate park being “burned” into his subconscious to help the reader image his favorite place and his feelings about it. He says he cannot “ride this place like a machine” to impress upon the reader the fluidness of the place and to emphasize the energy it has.

A Favorite Place by Rex Murphy Engl 3201 A descriptive essay exercise listening exercise I will read this selection twice As I do so, try to visualize the places described by the author Make a note of sentences or phrases that are successful in allowing you to see, hear, taste, touch and emotionally experience places

Your Favorite Place Create a list of jot notes on a place or your choice Use sensory language (imagery), spacial order and adjectives to create a dominant impression Include concrete and abstract words use great adjectives (describing words) Add some figurative language This will be submitted as part of a portfolio of work on Essays and an option to develop further.