Descriptive Essay
writing which describes, or brings to life for readers specific people, places, things and
events.
Description involves carefully observing a person, object or scene and relating what has
been observed to the reader.
There are two kinds of description:
1. literal / technical / objective:
deals with facts and avoids references to
feelings; it paints an exact picture.
2. subjective / emotive:
attempts to reveal the feelings that the
person, object or scene evokes in the
reader.
Note: Subjective writing reveals far more about a writer’s personality, thoughts, and feelings
about a topic than does objective writing.
Characteristics of description include the following:
Description ...

relies on all five senses - imagery - not only on sight

uses vivid, specific details and comparisons to bring the subject to life

uses figurative language - simile, metaphor, and personification

creates a strong dominant impression, mood or atmosphere

depends on careful word choice - diction - to create images

is affected by the author’s choice of both physical point of view (physical
location) and psychological point of view (mindset)
Note: usually no type of essay exists alone. Narrative essays will have descriptive
sections, and a descriptive essay can very easily tell a story but use rich description in
doing so