Descriptive Essay

Purpose
• The purpose of a
descriptive essay is to
describe a person,
place, or thing in such
vivid detail that the
reader can easily form
a precise mental
picture of what is
being written about..
 How

• The author may

accomplish this by
using imaginative
language, interesting
comparisons, and
images that appeal to
the senses.
Example of a descriptive essay describing thing.
• I have always been fascinated by carnival
rides. It amazes me that average, ordinary
people eagerly trade in the serenity of the
ground for the chance to be tossed through
the air like vegetables in a food processor. It
amazes me that at some time in history
someone thought that people would enjoy
this, and that person invented what must have
been the first of these terrifying machines. For
me, it is precisely the thrill and excitement of
having survived the ride that keeps me coming
back for more.
• My first experience with a carnival ride was a
Ferris wheel at a local fair. Looking at that
looming monstrosity spinning the life out of its
sardine-caged occupants, I was dumbstruck. It
was huge, smoky, noisy and not a little
intimidating. Ever since that initial impression
became fossilized in my imagination many years
ago, these rides have reminded me of mythical
beasts, amazing dinosaurs carrying off their
screaming passengers like sacrificial virgins. Even
the droning sound of their engines brings to mind
the great roar of a fire-breathing dragon with
smoke spewing from its exhaust-pipe nostrils.
• The first ride on one of these fantastic beasts
gave me an instant rush of adrenaline. As the
death-defying ride started, a lump in my throat
pulsed like a dislodged heart ready to walk the
plank. As the ride gained speed, the resistance to
gravity built up against my body until I was
unable to move. An almost imperceptible pause
as the wheel reached the top of its climb allowed
my body to relax in a brief state of normalcy.
Then there was an assault of stomach-turning
weightlessness as the machine continued its
rotation and I descended back toward the earth.
A cymbal-like crash vibrated through the air as
the wheel reached bottom, and much to my
surprise I began to rise again.
• Each new rotation gave me more confidence
in the churning machine. Every ascent left me
elated that I had survived the previous death-
defying fall. When another nerve-wracking
climb failed to follow the last exhilarating
descent and the ride was over, I knew I was
hooked. Physically and emotionally drained, I
followed my fellow passengers down the
clanging metal steps to reach the safety of my
former footing. I had been spared, but only to
have the opportunity to ride again.
• My fascination with these fantastic flights is
deeply engrained in my soul. A trip on the
wonderful Ferris wheel never fails to thrill me.
Although I am becoming older and have less
time, or less inclination, to play, the child-like
thrill I have on a Ferris wheel continues with
each and every ride.
• The subject of the sample essay is fairly
ordinary—a ride on a Ferris wheel.
• The author makes it interesting, however, by
comparing the Ferris wheel to a monstrous
creature.
• The author makes good use of fresh and
varied vocabulary. For example, in the first
paragraph alone, she uses verbs that create
excitement like "fascinate," "amaze," and
"terrify." In the second paragraph she uses a
variety of terms to describe the machine such
as "monstrosity," "mythical beast," "amazing
dinosaur," "fire-breathing dragon."
• The author
uses her senses
to describe the
scene—how
the ride looks,
sounds, smells,
and feels.
• The ride is "huge,
smoky, noisy" and its
engines "drone" like the
roar of a dragon. On the
ride, she gets a "rush of
adrenaline" and a "lump
in her throat," she feels
immobile and then
weightless.
 The essay is well organized.

Introduction
• The introduction begins with a general
statement, "I have always been fascinated by
carnival rides," and ends with a more specific
statement of what the essay will be about,
"the thrill and excitement of a carnival ride
keeps me coming back for more."
 Body

• The body of the essay is

composed of several
paragraphs that describe
the Ferris wheel, the way it
seems from the ground
and the way it feels to ride
on one.
 Conclusion
• The conclusion restates the main idea of the
essay, that the author continues to find
carnival rides thrilling and exciting.
 Describe a Place
• Types of places:
• the country, the country-side, outdoors, the
seaside, a beauty spot, a tourist spot,
a tourist’s paradise/attraction, the beach, a
historic monument , a ruined place, a world
famous sight, the site of battle

(sight = view; site = place)

 Adjectives for Places
• remote, imposing, superb, easily accessible,
inaccessible, peaceful, interesting,
memorable, awe-inspiring, world-famous, off
the beaten track, little/much visited, tourist-
ridden, beautiful, picturesque, isolated,
breath-taking, pretty, bustling sleepy, lively,
sparsely populated
When describing places you may want
to include
• Location
• Physical characteristics, atmosphere
• Special attractions
• The culture and people in the place
• Historical details
• Your personal impression / opinion
 Describe a Person
• Someone you admire, a famous person,
someone who impacted your life, an
interesting person you met.
 Adjectives to use
• interesting, shy, diffident, pushing, overbearing ,
talented, lonely, sociable, likeable, a pest,
intelligent, introvert, extrovert, approachable,
unapproachable, businesslike, humble, timid,
practical, impractical, a good mixer, a good
conversationalist, anti-social, retiring, a sport, a
snob, a bore, a know-all, difficult, arrogant,
shrewd energetic, conceited, modest, brash, self-
confident, lazy, ambitious, easy-going, strict,
cunning.
When describing people you may want
to include
• Physical appearance
• Personality, character
• Attitudes, behavior
• Interests, hobbies, profession
• Your personal impression / opinion
Describing Objects
When describing things you may want
to include
• Physical appearance
• Origin (where it was made)
• Use
• Your personal impression / opinion
Describing Events / experiences /
thoughts
When describing events you may want
to include
• The setting – where and when it happened
– PAST TENSES
• What happened – in chronological order
• Your impression or opinion about it
 Things to Consider as You Write Your
Descriptive Essay

• Think of an instance that you want to

describe.
• Why is this particular instance important?
• What were you doing?
• What other things were happening around
you? Is there anything specific that stands out
in your mind?
• Where were objects located in relation to where
you were?
• How did the surroundings remind you of other
places you have been?
• What sights, smells, sounds, and tastes were in
the air?
• Did the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes remind
you of anything?
• What were you feeling at that time?
• Has there been an instance in which you have felt
this way before?
• What do you want the reader to feel after
reading the paper?
• What types of words and images can convey
this feeling?
• Can you think of another situation that was
similar to the one you are writing about? How
can it help explain what you are writing
about?
• Is there enough detail in your essay to create a
mental image for the reader?
 Citations
• MLA Citation:
"Free Descriptive Essays - Carnival Rides." 123HelpMe.com. 04 Sep 2010
<http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=15606>.

• Eslprintables : pirchy: Descriptive Essay worksheet