Function of Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay presents a person, place, or thing, in a way that readers

feel as if it is in front of their eyes, or that they are tasting it, or that they can
hear it, or that they can smell it. Writers use sensory information to
describe object. The object of the writer is to present a picture of something as
honestly as he can.

Definition of Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay describes something to make readers feel, smell, see, taste,
or hear what is described.

A descriptive essay, as the name implies, is a form of essay that describe

objects, things, places, experiences, persons, and situations. The students use
sensory information to enable readers to use their five senses of touch, taste,
smell, hearing, and sight to understand the topic of the essay.

Qualities of a Descriptive Essay

 Clear and Concise

 Use of Images
 Use of Five Senses

As far as clear and concise language is concerned, it is necessary to describe

things precisely. Imagery is used to make things seem real and remarkable. The
use of the five senses creates the imagery, or a mental picture, for each reader.

Characteristics of descriptive writing

1. Good descriptive writing includes many vivid sensory details that paint a
picture and appeal to all of the reader's senses of sight, hearing, touch,
smell and taste where appropriate. Descriptive writing may also paint
pictures of the feelings the person, place or thing invokes in the writer.

2. Good descriptive writing often makes use of figurative language such as

analogies, similes and metaphors to help paint the picture in the reader's
mind.
3. Good descriptive writing uses precise language. General adjectives, nouns,
and passive verbs do not have a place in good descriptive writing. Use specific
adjectives and nouns and strong action verbs to give life to the picture you are
painting in the reader's mind.

4. Good descriptive writing is organized. Some ways to organize descriptive

writing include: chronological (time), spatial (location), and order of
importance. When describing a person, you might begin with a physical
description, followed by how that person thinks, feels and acts.

The issues that could be described in your Composition

A person. In this paper, you can talk about a person. It can range from simply
writing about their appearance to more complex descriptions like actions,
behaviours, mood, and qualities of your chosen individual.

A place. The main thing you should do when describing a place in your work is
to describe it interestingly and originally. Your reader(s) should feel, for
example, the beauty of your chosen cities—perhaps New York or Rome.

An event. Here you need to describe the story of what happened. It can be
your last vacation, concert, wedding, anniversary, summer music festival,
graduation day, or so on.

An animal. In this type, you need to describe the animal. It may be its
appearance, behaviour, or biology.

An occupation. Here you need to write about a job or occupation.

A behaviour. This is the type of descriptive writing you should go for if you
would like to write about someone’s behaviour. Perhaps you want to describe
the strange behaviour of your friend, or highlight how certain people act under
different conditions.
TOPIC: Describe the Hostel area at St
Dominic’s School during the weekend
An introduction

 State name of school and location

 All girls schools----girls hostels
 Hostel area is situated …….
 Prefects monitoring charges

…………………………………………
……………………………………………..

Body paragraphs

PARAGRAPH 1

 Activities going on in the hostels area during the weekends

 Sleeping area…mention the names like Thornhill
 …………………….

Topic sentence

PARAGRAPH 2

 Sensory details
 Actual details…..strong smell from the ablution, smell of fresh chips
 Noises…..singing, dancing, eating,
 Touch, smell, sight, hearing………..taste

PARAGRAPH 3

 Sensory details/ descriptions

A conclusion

Summary of all main points

Closing statement