DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

Descriptive language is a technique

used to add depth to a piece of writing.
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TRAITS
Key Elements of a Descriptive Essay:
o sense details (more than just sight)
o arranged spatially (it means that objects or
elements are organized in relation to each
other based on their physical or geometric
properties in space)
o to support a Dominant Impression
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Senses, impressions, and dominant impressions are all

related to the perception and interpretation of sensory
information.

Senses Impressions
o The senses refer to the o Impressions are the
physiological abilities subjective
of living beings to interpretations or
perceive the world perceptions that
around them through individuals form based
sensory organs.  on their sensory
experiences. 
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Senses, impressions, and dominant impressions are all

related to the perception and interpretation of sensory
information.

Dominant Impression
o It represents the primary feeling, idea, or
image that emerges from a particular
experience or encounter. The dominant
impression often influences how we
remember or describe an event or person, as it
encapsulates the most significant or striking
aspect of the experience.
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INTRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION
FUNNEL EFFECT
1. Generalize 1st
o Introduce your topic
2. Narrow your focus
3. Focus on you
4. End with Thesis Statement
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GENERALIZE 1st
- Introduce your topic

NARROW your FOCUS

FOCUS on YOU

THESIS
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INTRODUCTION
FUNNEL EFFECT: EXAMPLES

Most people have a place to go to feel refreshed

when life gets too tough. A place where the chaos of the
outside world dissolves, and tranquility takes
precedence. It could be a car, a place in nature, or a
room at home. For me it is my bedroom. Welcome to the
sanctuary of my personal haven. Nestled within those
four walls is a realm that encapsulates my identity,
encapsulating my passions, dreams, and memories.
From the delicate interplay of colors and textures to the
cherished possessions that adorn every corner, allow me
to guide you through the intimate details that make my
bedroom a sanctuary for the soul.
The previous paragraph is an
example of an introductory
paragraph for a descriptive
essay. Let’s analyze it!
1. What is that paragraph describing?
2. Is there an implied or stated thesis statement?
3. Does this paragraph follow the funnel effect
structure?
4. Is there a clearly stated Dominant Impression?
What I wanted to make you recognize with the previous introductory
paragraph was the dominant impression of my descriptive essay. For
example, I wanted to describe the peace and serenity that I feel in that
heavenly place for me. The dominant impression, in this case, is
calmness, that primary feeling that emerges when I am in my bedroom.
Did you recognize it? Was it evident? Was that the image I created in your
mind?
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Thesis Statement
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INTRODUCTION
THESIS STATEMENT

o Comes at the end of the first paragraph (as

shown in slide #7 “Funnel Effect”)

TOPIC + MAIN IDEA + SUPPORT

Remember: the thesis statement should

encapsulate the main idea or central focus of
your descriptive essay and provide a clear
direction for your writing.
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INTRODUCTION
THESIS STATEMENT

o Examples for Descriptive Essay:

- “The bustling market in the heart of the city is a vibrant kaleidoscope of

colors, scents, and sounds, evoking a sensory feast for the senses.”

- “The old oak tree in my grandmother's backyard stands as a majestic

symbol of strength, resilience, and the passage of time.”

o Contains the Dominant Impression and the 3

aspects/parts of your object that support it.
TOPIC: the market
D.I.: the market is described as lively, dynamic, and
engaging to the senses, emphasizing the sensory
experience it offers.
SUPPORT: (1) colors, (2) scents, (3) sounds
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Dominant Impression
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INTRODUCTION
DOMINANT IMPRESSION

*CHARACTERISTICS of a Dominant
Impression:

o *ADJECTIVE or NOUN*
o Declared in thesis statement
o Unifying or controlling aspect; ambiance; this will
link all of your sense details.
o Without this, your details are like marbles without a
jar.
o The first adjective that comes to mind when you
think of the place, person or object being described.
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INTRODUCTION
DOMINANT IMPRESSION

*HOW TO CREATE a Dominant Impression:

o Write the 5 senses on a blank sheet of paper

with room beneath each to write;
o Then, list as many details that appeal to a
particular sense under its name;
o Then, see which details are related to each
other, that paint a similar picture of the
object, and group them together;
o What these details relate to will be your
Dominant Impression.
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INTRODUCTION
DOMINANT IMPRESSION: EXAMPLES

BEDROOM:
o oasis of peace,
o tranquil refuge,
o feminine/masculine,
o reflects personality (*you must briefly define
your personality; use the appropriate
adjective before the word “personality”:
creative personality, artistic temperament),
o reflects my musical tastes,
o disaster area.
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BODY
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BODY
3 Body paragraphs
(3 paragraphs = 3 parts of your object)
o TOPIC SENTENCE –
o starts each paragraph
o reiterates your thesis, Dominant Impression
o DESCRIPTION –
o sense details, figurative language
o that supports only your Dominant Impression
o CLINCHER SENTENCE –
o ends, wraps up the paragraph
o reiterates your Dominant Impression
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BODY: DO’s
Qualities of a Strong Descriptive Essay

1)*** DESCRIBE—DO NOT LIST!!

o Describe items found in your room;
o Lists do not describe; lists are more
exemplary than descriptive;
o This is a descriptive essay using sense
details, not an illustrative essay using
reasons;
o Show rather than tell
o Make us see, smell, taste, feel, hear it as
you want us to…to fit your Dominant
Impression
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BODY: DO’s
Qualities of a Strong Descriptive Essay

2) SENSE DETAILS only:

o Appeal to the 5 senses, not just sight
o Appeal to as many of the 5 that are relevant
o Consult your prewriting lists
 Relying solely on sight  leads to LISTS

o Number, size, shape, texture, material,

odor/scent, taste, sound
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BODY: DO’s
Qualities of a Strong Descriptive Essay

3) SIMILES & METAPHORS:

o use similes & metaphors to reinforce your D.I.
o A simile makes a comparison using the words “like”
or “as.”
"The scent of my bedroom is as comforting as a
bouquet of flowers.“

o A metaphor makes the comparison directly,

substituting one thing for another.
"The window in my bedroom is a portal to the world
outside, framing glimpses of nature's beauty."
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BODY: DO’s
Qualities of a Strong Descriptive Essay

4) Relate all SENSE DETAILS to your

DOMINANT IMPRESSION:
o all details should reinforce your D.I.
o if it does not, omit the detail
o all sense details and metaphors should
support a single impression
o this is NOT a “word picture” in which you
describe every aspect of your bedroom
o instead, focus your description on your D.I.
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BODY
Relate all SENSE DETAILS to your DOMINANT IMPRESSION

o Repeat THESIS:
o “Another aspect of my room that makes it a
pig sty is….”
o at the start of each paragraph

o ADJECTIVES and ADVERBS that are

synonymous with your Dominant Impression
o ADJ: busy = hectic, energetic, bustling,
crowded, swarming, packed, jammed,
overrun, popular, populous, active, lively
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BODY: DO’s
Qualities of a Strong Descriptive Essay

5) Use TRANSITIONS:
o between sentences (logically or spatially connect
details in each sentence) AND
o between paragraphs (repeat thesis)

6) Use proper PN REFERENCE:

o *especially when generalizing in Introduction
o Everyone has a place he/she could call his/her own.
o see how the use of “he/she” gets old fast
o so go plural: Most people have a place they could call
their own.
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BODY: DO’s
Qualities of a Strong Descriptive Essay

7) DICTION:—use creative, selective, and

pointed details & words (employ
concrete/specific word choice)

8) Have a CAREFUL SELECTION of DETAILS

o only those that support your DI

9) Maintain a consistent point-of-view (POV)

o no second person POV “you”
o your room, your car, your impression, your
details  your POV (speak from the “I”)
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BODY
TAKE THE HINT

o SENSE DETAILS ONLY

o ONLY THOSE SENSE DETAILS THAT

SUPPORT YOUR DOMINANT IMPRESSION

o IF ANY DETAIL DOES NOT SUPPORT YOUR

DOMINANT IMPRESSION—NO MATTER HOW
“COOL” OR INTERESTING IT MAY BE—OMIT

IT FROM THIS ESSAY

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BODY: DON’Ts
1) Do NOT describe emotions, feelings,
personality (these are not sense details)

2) Do NOT use pat expressions/clichés (rough

around the edges), contractions (I’ve, it’s),
poor diction (“things,” “a lot”), or
abbreviations (especially CD=compact disc)
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CONCLUSION
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CONCLUSION
PURPOSE of CONCLUDING PARAGRAPHS

o To stress the importance/relevance of your

thesis (SO WHAT?!)
o To repeat your purpose
o To repeat your thesis (moral, point, lesson,
Dominant Impression)
o To repeat your main ideas
o To give the essay a sense of
completeness/finality
o To leave the reader with a final impression
(*this is your last chance to convince/persuade the
reader, so make the most of it!)
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CONCLUSION
SUGGESTIONS

o End with a CLINCHER SENTENCE