How To Write A Descriptive Essay | Types and Format of A Descriptive Essay

How To Write A Descriptive Essay: What Is A Descriptive Essay? Descriptive essays are a type of composition paper. It is used to describe something or someone. It can describe anything ranging from an object, person, fact, process or event. The purpose of this kind of format is to create a vivid image of the subject at hand for readers. Descriptive essays are used to describe a topic with as much accuracy as possible so that the readers get a wholesome picture.

1. Descriptive essays generally use the five senses to paint a comprehensive picture. The five senses are taste, touch, smell sound, and sight.
2. Appealing to the senses of the readers is always an excellent technique found in standard descriptive articles.
3. It is best if you had a purpose while writing. Your purpose is to make the readers experience something they might never have experienced through your writing. Explain the topic with minute details. It would be best if you preferably experienced what you are describing. If you are describing an object, include a story to make the description more colourful.
4. While moving from one feature to the next, use strong transition words like 'on the other hand', 'at the opposing side', 'even though', etc.
5. Use opposing senses side by side to create a contrast and highlight the stark differences between the two senses; this creates a colourful and bright image of your subject.
6. If a subject is not provided to you, you can select anything you are interested in. You should select an issue that you want to address.
7. You can select something you admire or a recent event that is very controversial, and you can describe the issue to people to state its importance and spread awareness.

You can also find more Essay Writing articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more

Types Of Descriptive Essay

Descriptive writing can be classified into two types based on their approaches. The descriptive writings given in schools are of the latter kind. The type of descriptive writing you want to create is entirely dependent on the type asked from you. The types of descriptive essay are-

Personal Essay: In a personal descriptive kind of paper, you need to describe a personal incident or occurrence which has had an enormous impact on you. This kind of writing's purpose is to awake empathy or feelings in your readers.

• An excellent descriptive essay focuses on the emotional aspect of the issue.
• Focus on expressing your complete view of the subject using your emotions.
• You should not shy away from using personal, vivid imageries to make your piece more relatable such that it tugs at the heartstrings of your readers.
• A few examples of a descriptive piece may be- birthday experiences, swimming events, competitions, your favourite movie and its impact on you, etc.
• Personal essays are used to create a warm and comfortable ambience for your readers.

Formal Description: A formal descriptive type of essay is distinctly different from a personal one.

• Formal description mimics an argumentative article to some extent. Your primary purpose as a descriptive writer is to communicate the significant points of a subject with as much structural detail as possible.
• There is no need to mention any emotional experience in this kind of writing.
• Formal descriptive writings are standard in school curriculums. Rather than focusing on your experiences, you need to provide your readers with as much detail as possible.
• It would help if you had cold, hard facts to fill your essay here.
• You should mention every minute piece of information to communicate your idea of the subject to your readers thoroughly.
• You should maintain a formal tone while writing this piece, but try not to make it too dull by sounding overly formal.
• Some examples of a formal topic may be cited like a news summary, climate change, pollution, importance of renewable energy and other informative subjects are the topics for a formal descriptive essay.

Steps Of Writing A Descriptive Essay

Select a Topic: The first step in writing a descriptive essay is selecting a topic. There are limitless options when it comes to selecting a topic.

• Select a topic according to the category of descriptive writing. For example, if you want to write some personal descriptive topics, select something which interests you.
• For example, you can choose topics like a person you are fond of or admire your favourite movie, favourite sports, etc.
• Regardless of what topic you select, make sure that you know enough about them to fill the essay.
• If you are not familiar with the context, consider selecting something different.
• If you aim to write a formal essay, describe an event, an occurrence, an incident that is of significance to all people regardless of their social standing.
• You can select subjects like pollution, global warming, political issues, etc.

Do Research: The next step that comes after selecting your issue is researching it.

• Your work quality will be reflected in the amount of time and effort you have put into it.
• Please select the most vital facts and place each of them in a new paragraph.
• Arrange little known facts and unique information at regular intervals throughout the article to make it informative and attractive to your readers.
• Think about what information will appeal to the reader. Include as many sensory images as possible.
• Think from a reader's point of view and choose the information accordingly.
• Select the facts which the readers will want to know by reading your article.
• Give them something that will intrigue them and encourage them to go through the entire essay willingly.
• Try to find unique facts that can lighten up the serious mood of the essay.

Create an Outline: Creating an outline is key to writing a perfect descriptive essay. Creating an outline helps to organize your thoughts. It also helps you to arrange your essay in such a way that your essay has a smooth flow or rhythm to it. While drawing the outline, try to answer questions such as

• What answers to question do your readers want from your article?
• What questions should you answer?
• What are the essential points that you need to highlight?

These questions will guide you to frame your article in a simplified manner.

Descriptive Essay Writing Format

A descriptive essay has to follow the format given below for structural reasons. They are:

Introduction: Begin your essay by introducing your readers to the selected topic.

• Even if it is a common topic, do not assume that your audience is familiar with it. You should describe it from the necessary points. Give a basic structural idea about the issue.
• There is no need to describe in-depth about the subject just yet. Give an outline of the topic.
• To hook your audience into your article, you can begin with a hook sentence which grabs your readers' attention from the very beginning. Next, give a brief context of your paper.
• Then you have to prepare a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a short and concise sentence about the article as a whole. It should include the purpose or necessity of describing your chosen terms.

Body Paragraphs: There should be a minimum of three paragraphs in a descriptive paper.

• Use each paragraph to paint a different picture of the same topic by appealing to the readers' five senses.
• You should begin the essay with a basic acknowledgement of your concern. You can then move on the further indulgences in the following paragraphs.
• Use prominent transition terms like even though, similarly, on the other hand, etc. You should finish a paragraph by introducing the next.
• The use of this technique makes your article smooth. Please provide details about how your matter looks, how it appeals to you, etc.
• Include small details to paint a vivid picture for your readers. Add transition statements in between them to create immersion.
• It won't seem as if you are writing dull facts with this tactic.

Conclusion: At the end of your write up, reflect on the initial points mentioned to refresh the memory of your readers.

• Highlight all the essential facts at the end. You can add why the subject has an influence on you, or why you decided to write about this particular theme in the first place.
• Mention why and how it has a personal impact on you to add a personal touch. Add a clincher statement in the conclusion.
• The clincher statement will ensure that your audience will not forget about the purpose of your essay any time soon.
• It helps to retain the memory for your audiences right after they finish reading it.

FAQ's on How To Write A Descriptive Essay

Question 1.
What is the difference between a descriptive essay and a description?

Answer:
A description is a simple explanation in the form of a paragraph which briefly describes a given context. A descriptive essay, on the other hand, is a form of writing in which writers have to describe something based on a particular format of essay writing. Furthermore, the former can be divided into two types- formal and personal.

Question 2.
What is the format for a formal descriptive essay?

Answer:
The Format that is to be followed in a formal descriptive essay is-

• Introduction: Hook statement Background details, Basic context Thesis statement.
• Body Paragraphs: Topic outline (1st paragraph) sensory details (second paragraph) Factual details (3rd paragraph) importance in contemporary society (optional, in the following paragraph).
• Conclusion: Summary of the crucial headings Recapitulation of the essay Clincher Statement.

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