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 a 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>.

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