1. Descriptive Writing
Prentice Hall Chapter 3

2. Two Types of Descripting Writing
Descriptive writing uses sensory detail to describe a person, a place, a thing, or an event.
Sensory detail is detail about what something or someone looks, smells, sounds, tastes, or feels like.
These details give the reader a clear picture of the thing or person you are describing.
Narrative writing is focused on telling a story in chronological order.
Descriptive writing is focused on allowing your audience to experience something through sensory details.
Two Types of Descripting Writing

3. The purpose of objective descriptions is to inform readers by accurately reporting factual details WITHOUT personal opinionated statements.
Goal: to provide information required to make an evaluation or decision.
The purpose of subjective description is to create a personalized impression through sensory details and imagery. Instead of stark realism, subjective description paints scenes, creates moods, or generates emotional responses.
Goal: to convey a particular mood or feeling to the audience; to share a personal emotional experience.
Purpose:

4. Structure: Narrative Paragraph: 1. Topic Sentence (Contention)
2. Event #1
3. Event #2
4. Event #3 etc …
5. Resummarizing Statement
Description Paragraph:
1. Topic Sentence (Contention)
2. Detail #1
3. Detail #2
4. Detail #3 etc…
5. Resummarizing Statement
Structure:

5. There are two formats for organizing a descriptive essay:

6. Chronological Organization:
Description of a place, thing, or event using a definite starting point in time until an ending point in time.
The Apartment at Ploschad' Muzhestvo
Introduction: Make general statement about apartment and how I remember it
Talk about moving in after transfer with Sister W., first impressions of rooms and furnishings
"The Golden Days"--describe memories of things that happened in the different rooms
Sister P's arrival, describe how the apartment changed, memories of things that happened during this time
Sister W.'s arrival, describe how the apartment changed, memories of things that happened during this time
Sister N's arrival to make a threesome, describe how the apartment changed, memories of things that happened during this time
Moving out suddenly because of renovation notice
Conclusion: Describe overall impressions and feelings about apartment
Chronological Organization:

7. Spatial-Order Organization
Show the reader where things are located from your perspective. Start from near to far, top to bottom, room to room.
The Apartment at Ploschad' Muzhestvo
Introduction: Tell story of one of my last days in the apartment--walk in building, up stairs/elevator
Describe entryway; tell memory of Sister W. on phone at night, phone problems
Move into kitchen, describe in detail; tell memory of chocolate frosting, dust and cockroaches when moving in, "escaping" to the chair
Move into bathroom, describe in detail; tell about memories of different companions based on what items they had in the bathroom
Move into bedroom/living room, describe in detail; tell about being crowded with 3, making "hearts" with Sister W., Sister P's "corner"
Conclusion: Leave apartment, talk about feelings and impressions
Spatial-Order Organization