What is a Descriptive Essay?
Descriptive essays elaborate on a subject in colorful detail. This subject of choice could be concrete – such as a person, an event, or an object – or an abstract one – such as a feeling or emotion.
These essays are relatively less formal than most other types of academic writing, and the use of creative language is encouraged when writing them. The finished essay should provide readers with a vivid picture of the subject. Hence, sensory details are a required element in descriptive essays.
Sections of a Descriptive Essay
The content in descriptive essays is arranged in the following manner:
- Introduction: One of the main functions the introduction performs in descriptive essays is to attract the reader’s interest. This can be accomplished by incorporating a hook within the opening of the introductory paragraph.
The introduction should also provide the reader with information that contextualizes the descriptive writing that will follow. A concise definition of what the essay is about is also contained in the thesis statement that usually brings the introduction to an end.
Thesis statement: A key part of every essay, the thesis statement is imperative to writing a descriptive one as well. Formulating the thesis is among the first steps of the essay writing process and determines the shape it will take. After the general context provided by the introduction, the thesis statement narrows down the focus, spelling out the scope of the essay.
- Body: The body of the essay is devoted to the description of the chosen subject. It is divided into multiple paragraphs with each one recounting a specific aspect of the subject.
The writer should include as many sensory details as possible to evoke a multidimensional image of what they are writing about. Descriptive language such as adjectives and adverbs must be used, but the selection of the right words should be kept in mind.
Having to write in such rich detail, the writer may run the risk of having a tedious essay with strings of adjectives. This issue can be avoided with the use of figurative language that allows the writer to paint vivid pictures in a creative manner. Such language helps the reader visualize, recognize as well as empathize with the description.
- Conclusion: The final paragraph of the essay concludes it with a quick summary of the main points. The significance of describing the essay’s subject (which could be personal or universal) may be mentioned here. The conclusion can also circle back to the essay’s thesis, using it to tie up the essay.
Outline for Descriptive Essays
- Introduction:
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- A creative hook is used in the opening sentences to attract the reader’s attention.
- Necessary context to the essay is provided.
- The subject of the essay is captured in the thesis statement.
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- Body:
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- The description of the subject is laid out across multiple paragraphs.
- Each paragraph opens with a topic sentence that delineates the focus of the paragraph.
- The rest of the paragraph delves into the details of the aspect mentioned in the topic sentence.
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- Conclusion:
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- The thesis is recalled in light of the description that has been set forth in the essay.
- The significance of the description may also be stated.
Example of a Descriptive Essay
The following essay where the writer describes their family gathering during Thanksgiving is a great example of a descriptive essay.
- Introduction:
With the opening line, the scene is instantly set for a cheerful Thanksgiving meal.
“The comfortable environment of friends and family, delicious smells, and valued conversations make Thanksgiving one of the most enjoyable moments of the year. For as long as I can remember, I have cherished the memories of Thanksgiving with my family. There are comforting sounds of laughter and lively movement throughout the house.”
The paragraph ends with the thesis. The rest of the essay, through description, will prove it to the reader.
“With my whole family gathered nearby, I have no choice but to feel grateful.”
- Body:
The topic sentence lets the reader know what to expect from the first paragraph.
“The delightful smell of the fresh, smoked ham fills the house.”
The house and food are then elaborated upon.
“My grandpa and grandma’s house is small in size and has limited space for thirty people. She has a cramped island where the Thanksgiving meal is laid out for everyone to fill their plates from. We have different varieties of food to choose from for family gatherings because there are so many in my family. When the oven has been running all day, the crowded house feels like a stuffy dark closet with no fresh air. But it is all worth it when the pumpkin pie, ham, and sweet corn aroma hits my nose. Once the range of dishes is cooked and served, my whole family indulges in the feast. Every Thanksgiving, I promise myself to not eat as much as last year, but it never works.”
The second paragraph talks about the writer’s family.
“I love the collection of personalities in my family.”
Having established that the family is a big one with different kinds of people, the consequences are then recounted.
“Our conversations during dinner are full of hilarious jokes and stories that make me wish I had been there to witness the events. With thirty of us, space for seating everyone together is in short supply. There is no one fixed table for all of us. We simply pile food on our plates at the island and then sit wherever we please. Some may sit at the dining table, some may settle in rocking chairs, on the couch and even on the stairs, while others may simply opt to stand. We do not mind where we are, as long as we are able to feed ourselves without spilling. There are seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and fifteen adults crammed into one house during Thanksgiving. I am one of the youngest of the grandchildren.”
In the third paragraph, the writer talks about the temperature in their grandparents’ house.
“During this time, the temperature in my grandparents’ house feels like a sauna, and I could melt like butter in a microwave.”
The paragraph then gives the readers the reason for it and adds to the scene.
“I usually sit with my cousins, most of whom are boys, and that is a story in itself. We usually sit in the living room, and I watch my rowdy cousins pick on their younger siblings as they bicker back and forth about whose truck runs better. We all wait patiently for the dessert to be served. Once everyone has a piece of dessert, there is a hush. When I take the first bite of the pumpkin pie, it melts in my mouth and it is the best thing I have eaten all night. I can tell when everyone finishes their delicious dessert because the house becomes exceptionally loud again. My family gatherings last for four hours and then it is all over in a flash.”
- Conclusion:
The joy of the moment and the writer’s thankfulness is reiterated. The personal significance of what has been described is revealed to the readers.
“The long hours of preparing the food are always worth the time we get to spend with each other during Thanksgiving. With everyone telling stories, laughing, and the orneriness, it is impossible to not have a tremendous time. Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday behind Christmas because everyone is easygoing and unique in their own way. There are never any arguments or disagreements; everyone enjoys each other’s company. It’s a nice time to get away from stress and just sit back and have fun. I will always remember time spent with my family as one of my fondest memories.”
