Narrative vs. Descriptive Writing

In the essays "The Miss Dennis School of Writing," by Alice Steinbach, and "No Wonder They Call me a Bitch," by Ann Hodgman, both authors use description to get across the points they wish to make. The authors’ purpose for both of these essays are to catch the reader’s attention as well as to provide the readers with life lessons through descriptive writing. In “The Miss Dennis School of Writing,” Steinbach is trying to teach people about descriptive writing from her own experiences through her teacher Miss Dennis. In “No Wonder They Call me a Bitch”, the author Hodgman is trying to point out that advertisements made by the manufactures of dog food can be misleading.

Learning about the different type of writing styles and steps of writing was the most interesting. Descriptive essays are my favorite to read and write. If I was to write about a person, I would select a dominant impression of the person using details to convey that impression. I would also choose details to support the topic sentence. Descriptive essays help give readers vivid image in their mind. When I write descriptive essays, I use 4 steps ; I select a subject, Select details that support my

A good story is always structured with details that are easy to follow while intriguing readers with reality and emotions. Edwidge Danticat’s memoir has proven her ability to use descriptions that allows the text and the readers to connect. Through her writing, she is able to get the reader involved in her situation, so that it is as if they are experiencing it too. Adding on, Danticat cleverly writes each type of description in a way that makes them distinct from each other. This connects the two which adds to her message. Descriptions bring life to her story and stresses the real events that happened to her and her family which displays her message effectively. That being said, without objective and subjective descriptions, any piece

When I first read the assignment, It took me a while to think of someone that I consider being a great writer. Then it hit me, Chief of police Steve Woodall, is a great writer and would be honored for me to interview him. When I set down with Chief Woodall I gave him a brief outline of what the assignment was about. I first ask the Chief to tell me what type of writing he does. He stated that he does several different types of writing. However, he said the main type of writing he does on a daily basis is descriptive writing. The Chief stated that descriptive writing allowed the reader to understand what he is trying to get them to see because it recreate a place or action that the reader can picture in his or her mind.

There are many different style to write in. Along with the different style there are also different perspectives. First, second, and third person are the types most people think about. The reality is that there are many more types out there. When a person writes it is hard for them to be able to stop thinking of what they were told when growing up. In the article Ten Ways To Think About Writing: Metaphoric Musings for College Writing Student by E. Shelley Reid, it is said that while rules are important in writing the rules can cause more of a problem then a guideline. Instead focus on writing in a way the completely describe what is trying to be said. The details in the story are what need to be focused on. The more detail that are used the

One of the talents necessary for great fiction is the ability to use descriptive language to captivate the audience and to allow them to visualize characters and scenery.  By using specific words and phrases, writers focus attention and stoke the imagination, to enable the reader to create in his/her own mind a unique and detailed setting. A striking way to illuminate the importance of this ability is to juxtapose an authors original text with less colorful wording.  For example, one can take certain exemplary samples from two different stories, John Updike’s “A & P” and Anton Chekhov’s “The Lady with the Dog” and dull down the language, to state it in a more factual manner, completely taking away any scenery the author so brilliantly

Description is a key component in writing an essay. In the book, King tells us that creating a good writer out of a decent writer is all possible as long as the writer practices fundamentals and a huge fundamental is being able to be descriptive. Staring an essay you must be able to use words that can grab the readers attention and make them want to read more. Using strong adjectives as in humungous, majestic, and extravagant are a big way to grab attention to the audience. King teaches us practicing being descriptive will help us become an overall better

The differences between a narrative and a descriptive essay determine the way in which the reader receives the story. The purpose of each is still very clear, to connect to the reader using story telling. In order for the reader to receive the story as intended, the author must create a clear picture of; events, settings, and purpose. In both pieces that I read, “Fish Cheeks” and “Caged Bird”, both writers were able to do this- each in their own way.

Each style has a distinctive purpose: some tell a story, some describes and others may persuade a viewpoint. I learned that descriptive essays have text which generally describes something in great detail. Whatever is being defined requires a broad research of trustworthy sources. The thing I liked most was researching and finding out new information on my topic. However, my greatest trouble was involving the reader’s emotion into my essays or writings. Nonetheless I realize that by involving the reader's emotions my writing gives a more vivid detail that makes the reader feel like he or she is actually there.

Writers utilize descriptive writing to create a clear depiction of people, objects or events by emphasizing important

In my narrative writing, my focus is not entirely there. I repeat a lot of details, and the essay as a whole is not engaging throughout. But in my memoir essay, I never repeat details and stay focused on what is happening the entire time. Another important growth between the two essays is my characterization. In my narrative essay, the only other character I mention, besides myself, is Miss Flower, even though there were multiple people there. Even though she is mentioned, I do not go into much detail about who she is and how she is as a person. However, in my memoir essay, I go into full detail describing all the characters in the story. I mention everyone involved, my grandmother’s parents, brother, and the tour guide. I describe all of these characters and use dialogue throughout to give the reader a great understanding of everyone in the

This excerpt comes from The Bee Tree by Kenneth Fenter. Bill is in his home making breakfast for himself before his son comes out his room. This paragraph is descriptive writing in the way that it shows action. It shows actions as it follows chronological order. He makes his coffee and then cooks his eggs. It is descriptive writing because it includes sensory details. The coffee is “hot” (touch) and “strong” (taste). The cast iron is describes as “heavy” and the butter is “soft”. It also describes the eggs as they cook around the edges (sight).

The sounds of the city at night mix with the laughter of my friends. Taxis honking, subways rushing under your feet, and buses rumbling, all carrying their cargo of dead-tired, empty-minded passengers, following the daily routine until they reach their doorstep. For once, I 'm not one of them, not riding my train after a long day at school, brain set to automatic. Today, I am wide awake, soaring a thousand miles high.

The story “The Flowers” by Alice Walker was the best example of description. The author gives really good detail and makes it easy to picture the story in your head. An example of a point where she used good detail is in the first paragraph when she said, “... made each day a golden surprise that caused excited little tremors to run up her jaws.” the author could have just said that harvesting made her excited but she made us feel how excited she was. Another point where she used good detail was in the third paragraph when she described when she saw the water rising up and going down stream as “... tiny white bubbles disrupt the thin black scale of soil…”. Also another point that caught my attention where she used great description was when

Flateby (p 190) argues that critical and creative writers must use descriptive words. I am now able to utilize descriptive words in my writings that are capable of creating a scenic imagination to the reader. I am also able to write a reported speech. These are writing skills that I gained after writing the paper on Obama’s acceptance speech. I believe that these are very critical skills that will help me throughout my entire course and even after my studies.