A descriptive essay should give the reader a clear picture of a person, object, place or event. In addition, it should contain a detailed story full of vivid details capable of giving a well-rounded sensory experience. It is likely that the teacher assigned you this task, or you have decided to try this form of writing as a pastime yourself. To bring a descriptive essay to life, start by gathering your ideas and outlining the structure of the text. Then, create an effective introduction to grab the reader's attention and engage them in your story.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Collect Ideas for the Essay Topic
Step 1. Choose a person
One of the subjects on which to base a descriptive essay could be a person you feel very attached to, such as a mentor, friend, parent or figure of reference. Maybe it's someone who has been really close to you and who has seen you grow up, like your mother. Alternatively it could be someone you don't know well, but who possesses qualities you value or wish to have, such as your favorite footballer.
If you need to come up with a descriptive essay to enter a university selection, you can choose a mentor or a person who has been a source of inspiration for you. By describing it, you will have the opportunity to motivate its importance in your life and indicate everything you have learned thanks to its contribution
Step 2. Describe an object
Another possible choice for a descriptive essay is an object that conveys a particular meaning or importance to you. It could be from your childhood or your teenage years - maybe it's something you adored or hated as a child. Perhaps it retains an emotional value or a profound meaning.
For example, you can choose your favorite toy as a child, describe it, and underline what it means to you today as you are grown up
Step 3. Choose a place
Identify an important place and start describing it. It could be your city, your bedroom or your favorite corner of the school. Also consider an ideal place or where you would go if you could choose from all destinations in the world.
For example, you can decide to talk about the most beautiful place you have ever seen, focusing on the experiences you have lived in that context, and explain how you felt
Step 4. Choose an event or memory
Think of a significant episode in your life and use it as the topic of your essay. Regardless of whether it has happened recently or in the past, the important thing is that it has taught you something or that it has changed your view of the world.
For example, you might describe the first time you had your period or the first time you went to visit a relative in the hospital
Part 2 of 3: Creating the Essay Framework
Step 1. Establish a timeline
To structure a descriptive essay, you should use a chronological scheme, in order to follow a certain order of time. The story will move from one scene to another, describing the events or moments as they unfold. This is a great option if you need to report an episode or memory. You can articulate the structure as follows:
- Paragraph 1: introduction.
- Paragraph 2: first scene.
- Paragraph 3: second scene.
- Paragraph 4: third scene.
- Paragraph 5: conclusion.
- If you base yourself on this pattern, you will get five paragraphs. Alternatively, consider splitting each scene further.
Step 2. Use a spatial scheme
With this type of structure the drafting is segmented according to the places. In other words, it moves like a movie camera, providing the details of each place. It is a great choice if you have to describe a place or a territory. So, you could follow this breakdown:
- Paragraph 1: introduction.
- Paragraph 2: first place.
- Paragraph 3: second place.
- Paragraph 4: third place.
- Paragraph 5: conclusion.
Step 3. Try a growing pattern
This type of structure arranges the parts of the story according to an order of importance, that is, from the least significant to the most relevant. This way you can insert the main passage or moment at the end of the essay. You can use this pattern for almost any topic: people, objects, places, or events. The structure is structured as follows:
- Paragraph 1: introduction.
- Paragraph 2: first step or least important detail.
- Paragraph 3: second step or less important detail.
- Paragraph 4: fundamental passage or detail.
- Paragraph 5: conclusion.
Step 4. Make the narrative line known
Regardless of the scheme or structure you choose, you should state your narrative line in the introduction and reiterate it in the conclusion. If you articulate the article in an incisive way, you will suggest to the reader what the main idea is, which is the theme of the essay. Its function is to offer him a guide or a map so that he can orient himself as he goes.
For example, if the essay revolves around a description of a person who has represented a point of reference in your life, you could indicate your narrative line by writing: "That day at school thanks to his behavior I learned to overcome adversity and to trust. in my artistic skills since the sixth grade"
Part 3 of 3: Creating a Captivating Introduction
Step 1. Start with a sentence that captures the reader
Get his attention by starting with a sentence that can throw him center stage. You could start by vividly describing an event, place, object, or person. You can also tell about the first time you lived an experience, visited a place, used an object or interacted with a person. Capture the reader's interest right away so that they feel engaged and encouraged to continue.
For example, you could describe the first time you picked up an important object: "When I had my first Barbie in my hands, with her porcelain skin and deep blue eyes, I swore to myself to protect her. for the rest of my life"
Step 2. Build the context and background
Engage the reader by providing a brief background story. Offer him enough information to know the value represented by the object, place, event, or memory you are describing. The context should completely envelop him in order to encourage him to enter the essay.
For example, you might briefly explain why a certain object was so important at a time in your life in relation to age experiences or awareness. Try it this way: "I had never owned a doll until then, and while the other girls flaunted their favorites on the playground, it wasn't until my fifth birthday that I got my favorite as a gift."
Step 3. Leverage sensory details
To develop an excellent descriptive essay it is essential to introduce an infinity of details that recall smells, tastes, physical sensations, visual perceptions and noises. Enrich the introductory paragraph like this: describe what you hear or taste during a scene, indicate how an object is to the touch or what smells it emanates, recognize the noises and the panorama of a place.
For example, instead of writing "The doll was beautiful", try to describe the details that stimulate the perception of the senses: "In my hands the doll was soft and cold. It smelled of flowers and baby powder. was empty when I pressed it against my chest."
Step 4. Expose, instead of telling
To effectively introduce a descriptive essay, focus on showing the reader the scene rather than telling him or her. Do not poorly report a sequence of events or the action of a scene. Rather, leverage sensory details and create vivid and sophisticated descriptions in order to place the reader at the center of a place, event, moment or memory.
- For example, try to describe the feelings related to the house where you spent your childhood: "The best memories of my childhood home lie in its walls, in the strokes, scratches and marks left by me and mine. brothers when we fought or ran to catch each other ".
- If you are introducing a person, give some examples of their behavior in order to chisel a portrait of the character, rather than telling the reader what to think.
- For example, you could write: "Mrs. Rosa did not hesitate to show me her understanding by always finding time to help me after school. I sat in the small wooden chair next to her desk, pencil in hand, while she explained how to conjugate the verbs. 'I am, you are, he is', he said in a patient but firm voice ".
