descriptive essay: structure and organization

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Descriptive Essay Structure & Organization

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Page 1: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

Descriptive Essay

Structure & Organization

Page 2: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

• Definition• A descriptive essay describes a certain object, situation,

experienced emotion or a place he has been to or even an imaginary place. • An important thing for a descriptive essay is the usage of

sensory details: sight, sound, touch, smell and taste to create for the reader the same picture that you have in your mind. • Instead of using ambiguous, general words, the sensory

language should be precise. Descriptive essays also demands varying of sentence structure and use of comparisons.

Page 3: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

• If there's one thing you should remember as you write your descriptive essay, it's the famous saying: show don't tell. But what's the difference between showing and telling? Consider these two simple examples:

I grew tired after dinner.

As I leaned back and rested my head against the top of the chair, my eyelids began to feel heavy, and the edges of the empty plate in front of me blurred with the white tablecloth.

Page 4: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

• A good descriptive essay has to:Give a vivid description of the subject of description;

Include all the smallest and  important details;

Demonstrate the author’s emotional response caused by the subject;

Exclude every single irrelevant detail;

Page 5: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

Structuring a Descriptive Essay

1)Introduction: • The author represents the reasons why he describes a

person, object or situation. • It should start with a strong opening, for example, a

quotation that grabs the reader’s attention. • A thesis statement that should be related to the subject

of description and reveals the reason he describes it.

Page 6: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

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.

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2) Body: In the body there are three paragraphs:

• 2.1. Paragraph № 1 – The object itself: Here the author provides a vivid description of the object. He includes all the observed details that are important for making a vivid portrait and uses metaphors and comparison.

• 2.2. Paragraph № 2 – The surroundings: The author describes the atmosphere and surroundings of an object, person, or situation. The reader should feel involved in this environment. Metaphors and comparison are used in this paragraph.

• 2.3. Paragraph № 3 – Sensual and emotional description: The writer uses his senses of taste, touch, smell, sound, sight and emotional description in order to make the experience “alive”. In other words here the author needs to “replay” the object, person or situation to the reader. Metaphors and comparison are also used here.

Page 8: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

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.

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3) Conclusion: Restate the meaning and idea of this

experience for the writer; the importance of the described things; the reason he actually describes it to the

reader; reframe the thesis statementsummarize the emotional and physical

attitude of the writer.

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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.

Page 11: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

Quick Tips for Writing Your Descriptive Essay

a) Planning your descriptive essay:What or who do you want to describe?What is your reason for writing your

description?What are the particular qualities that

you want to focus on?

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b) Drafting your descriptive essay:What sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and

textures are important for developing your description?

Which details can you include to ensure that your readers gain a vivid impression imbued with your emotion or perspective?

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c) Revising your descriptive essay:Have you provided enough details and descriptions

to enable your readers to gain a complete perception?

Have you left out any minor but important details?Have you used words that convey your emotion or

perspective?Are there any unnecessary details in your

description?Does each paragraph of your essay focus on one

aspect of your description?Are your paragraphs ordered in the most effective

way?

Page 14: Descriptive Essay: structure and organization

Write a descriptive essay about a topic of your choice (object, situation, experience, experienced emotion or a place ).

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Thank you for your attention.