Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay is an essay that describes anything from an object to a vacation. Descriptive essays are filled with vivid details to help the reader visualize and resonate with what is being described.

Descriptive vs. Narrative Essay

Although a descriptive essay is quite similar to a narrative essay because of the use of vivid language, there’s one main difference. A descriptive essay focuses on one key subject whereas a narrative essay tells a full story.

For example, if you were to write a narrative story about the first track meet you won, you would mention the training, the struggles, the bonds created with your coaches or teammates, and the feelings you experienced during running your final race.

In a descriptive essay, you would choose one object, feeling, or place. The focus of your descriptive essay could be the track and field you ran at. You would describe the stadiums, how many people were there, the feel of the turf on your shoes, the noises you heard, or the lines drawn on the track.

 

Helpful Tips

​1. Keep your sentences clear and concise.

You can accomplish this by avoiding filler words like "very". Replace your filler words with powerful one-word adjectives. Here are some examples:

 

Instead of...
Use...
Instead of...Very old
Use...Ancient
Instead of...Very angry
Use...Infuriated
Instead of...Very smart
Use...Intelligent
Instead of...Very sad
Use...Devastating
 

2. Dissect the subject you're describing.

You can do this by creating a table of all the senses and using descriptive words or phrases that fit your subject. It’s okay if you do not fill in words for every sense, some senses may not make sense with the subject of your essay. Dissecting your subject will allow you to create a solid foundation to make into essay form.

Example Table | Descriptive Essay Table | Subject of Essay: Chirstmas Morning
Senses
Descriptive Words/Phrases
SensesTaste
Descriptive Words/PhrasesSweet cinnamon rolls

Cold cup of milk
SensesSmell
Descriptive Words/PhrasesFreshly baked cinnamon rolls

Pine

Gingerbread scented candle
SensesSight
Descriptive Words/PhrasesLED string lights on a tree

Cozy fireplace
SensesTouch
Descriptive Words/PhrasesShaking of the gifts under the tree

Velvet stocking
SensesHearing
Descriptive Words/PhrasesSoft tune of Christmas songs

Family talking around the kitchen table
 
Panoramic View of campus