What is a Descriptive Essay? It is a type of essay that requires you to describe something – an object, person, place, situation, etc. Your goal is to paint an image that is vivid and moving in the mind of the reader. You have a great deal of artistic freedom. However, remember that giving your readers a clear impression is your ultimate goal.

Take time to Brainstorm Jot down some ideas before you start writing. For example, if the topic is “your favorite food” and you choose “noodles”, write down a few words that will help you with your description: Hot, cold, hand-pulled, thick / thin noodles, in soup, with sauce, chicken, spices, vegetables, texture, aroma.

Give the reader a clear, Dominant Impression. The Dominant Impression is the feeling you are trying to convey, condensed into a single word or phrase. It may not always be stated explicitly at the beginning of your essay, but is developed throughout it. In any case, consider the Dominant Impression to have the same purpose as a Topic Sentence or Thesis Statement.

Give the reader a clear, Dominant Impression. Whenever I eat a bowl of chicken noodle soup, I feel a sense of warmth – not in my stomach, but rather in my heart. It reminds me of my mother’s home-cooking and her love for our family.

Give the reader a clear, Dominant Impression. One of your goals is to evoke in the reader a strong sense of familiarity with and appreciation for whatever you are describing. If your reader can walk away from the essay craving the very noodles you just described, you are on your way to writing effective descriptive essays!

Use Clear and Concise Language This means that you must choose your words carefully. Make sure your words are relevant to what you are trying to describe.

Choose Vivid Language Vivid language forms a firmer image in the mind of the reader. It can offer nuanced meanings (subtle differences or shades of meaning) that will serve your purposes better.

Thesaurus Word Finder / Synonym Dictionary A thesaurus is a device for finding specific words or phrases for general ideas. No pronunciation, definitions, or origins are given.

Thesaurus Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Author: Barbara Ann Kipfer

If you can’t find (or afford) a thesaurus in book form, consider using a free online thesaurus. Type “online thesaurus” into a search engine to find some possible web sites. thesaurus.com thesaurus.net freethesaurus.net

Use Your Senses! Remember, when 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.

Connect with the Reader If you can describe emotions or feelings related to your topic, you will connect with the reader on a deeper level. Most people have felt ecstatic joy in their lives, and perhaps some have felt crushing loss. Reach your audience on an emotional level in order to achieve your full descriptive potential.

Be Organized You must strive to present an organized and logical description if the reader is to come away from the essay with a good sense of what you are trying to describe.