Descriptive Essays

This handout (not from me) has some great advice.

Here are some pointers.

• • Painting a picture with words.

In a lot of ways, descriptive writing is unlike any other essay you will ever compose. These essays can still speak volumes, but they are subtle. You do not make claims and defend them. Instead, you paint a picture and let it speak for itself. 

That being said, keep in mind that descriptive writing is not narrative writing. Though there are overlaps in technique, a descriptive essays takes us into a sensory experience without telling us a story. The experience itself does all the talking. 

• • Appeal to as many of the five senses as possible.

In class, one of the first things we do to help narrow down these topics is brainstorm a list of possible options. These topics can be any person, place, or thing (nouns?) which means something to you. Anything school appropriate (Upchurch appropriate) is permissible. HOWEVER, to describe something well, you need to know the topic well. Therefore, it is important to pick something near and dear.

After compiling this list, identify the 5 topics you know most about and do the following:

1- Make a “5-Senses” list for each one. (i.e. Sight- forrest green, prickly, pine cones, ribbed, brown, red berries, tan cloth...etc) Don't leave anything else. Write everything you can possible think of for each topic. However, feel free to write N/A when necessary (not all things should be tasted).

2- Then, try to describe each one using these types of figurative language:

After doing this, you should have a pretty good idea of which topic is going to produce the fullest description.

• • Have a purpose.

Nonetheless, your essay still needs a direction. Your thesis will be implied, but no less present. To get to this point, consider the following two questions:

• • • How/What do you feel about this topic?

    • What impression are you trying to make?

Here's the deal: this topic should mean something to you. If not, you'll probably want to pick another topic. The point of a descriptive piece is not only show your readers something, but to let them experience it like you do. Anyone can walk up to my Grandma's dilapidated house. They can see the sagging roof and black trash-bag windows. They can run their hands along the splinter plywood siding. BUT, they don't get the lump-in-the-chest, tears-in-the-eyes, smile-on-their-face feeling I do. Why? Because they haven't experienced it like me. If I want them to, it is my job to convey this message with my words.

Be deliberate with your diction. If your topic makes you angry, write with angst. If your topic brings you joy, chose words that make me smile. Whatever you feel when you experience this, use your vocabulary of choice to try and make me feel the same.

• • Showing. Not telling.

In creative writing fields, this is the mantra. As a struggling (and likely terrible) creative writer myself, I embrace this creed. Nonetheless, it does not come naturally to most of us because we are so used to being direct--making claims and defending them. Yet, creative forms of writing do this indirectly. There are a plethora of detailed break-downs of this online. Just google "How to show not tell" and you will find plenty (Here's a pretty decent one). However, I'll just show... not tell.

• • • Not: The house was abandoned.

    • Instead: The cobwebs seemed to form a door of their own, barring entry while also holding the collapsing windows in place--to the dismay of the glass which appeared to have shattered in protest.

• • Follow a logical pattern

Lastly, how you choose to develop this description needs to make sense. Your reader needs to follow you. I have two recommendations.

1. Use a spatial structure. These descriptions are largely physical, which means they're tied to space. Use this. If you're describing a house. Start with the top and work your way down (bottom to top works just as well). If it's a person, don't go from hands, to eyes, to toes. However you decide to do it, just make sure it's a logical flow which helps clarify the experience for your reader.

2. But save the best for last. What are you trying to say? Remember that purpose, that feeling you're trying to convey? What about this topics embodies this best? Bring your reader to that last. Let your final "point" (description) carry your purpose home.

THE ASSIGNMENT:

• • Essay #1: Descriptive Essay

30 Points

Read Chapter 3 from The Longman Reader in preparation.

Compose an essay describing an important person, place, or object in your life. What does this mean to you (impression)?  How does he/she/it look, taste, feel, smell, sound (not all are applicable, of course, to all topics… :P)? After reading your essay, the reader must be able to visualize your subject clearly and learn the significance of he/she/it in your life.

Essay Specific Guidelines:

• 1. Length: This will be the shortest essay of the class. It does not need to exceed 2 pages, but cannot be less than a page and a half.

  2. Although anyone or anything can be your topic, choose someone or something you know well – your parent, teacher, coach, friend, sibling; your house, room, favorite place; your first car, favorite childhood toy...etc

  3. Write either in first person or third person (I prefer 3rd).

  4. Use descriptive details, dialogue, and, if needed, scenes for vividness.  

  5. As part of your description, you must use the following three types of figurative language at least once each:

     1. Simile: comparison of two things by using “like” or “as” (must be in italics so I know they were on purpose)

  6. Metaphor: comparison of two things without using “like” or “as” (put in bold so I know they were on purpose)

  7. Personification: attributing human characteristics to non-living things ( must be underlined)

1. Furthermore, you must appeal to at least 3 of the 5 senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, sound. You do not need to identify these, but need to be prepared to defend their presence if asked. In your prewriting, be sure and brainstorm “senses” from the very beginning.

   1. Include Self-Grade

Why you are writing this paper:  This will help you sharpen your descriptive skills and vocabulary usage, as well as help you notice details and feed your narrative skills while enhancing your ability to express your own feelings and values. Likewise, strong description can become an invaluable skill when composing expository hooks.