1. Characteristics of Descriptive Essays
from Seeing the Pattern

2. Uses Sensory Details Sight Sound Smell Taste Touch
Try to use a variety of senses in your writing.

3. Sentences Come Alive Active Verbs
Examples
Use active verbs rather than adverbs to create “striking and lasting impressions” (148). What is the effect of the revision on the reader’s understanding of the event?
The team captain proudly accepted the award.
The team captain marched to the podium, grasped the trophy, and gestured toward his teammates.

4. Dominant Impression
Overall attitude, mood, or feeling about the subject
Implied thesis of the descriptive essay
This is your point—define it clearly

5. Connotative Language Words have subtle variations in meaning
Select words that strengthen your dominant impression.
Skinny
Svelte
Slim
Scrawny
Cellar
Basement

6. Uses Comparison Simile Metaphor
Biting into a tabasco pepper is like aiming a flame-thrower at your parted lips
Eating chili peppers is a descent into a fiery hell.

7. Uses Comparison Personification
The television screen stared back at me.

8. “Eating Chili Peppers” pp. 144-146
Read the sample carefully.
What is the dominant impression?
What method of organization does the author use?
Look at the sentence from the essay that you received.
Is the author using sensory details, comparison, or both?
BONUS: Is it a special type of comparison?
How does this specific sentence help to develop the dominant impression?
Consider the connotative meanings of words and images as you think of this question.

9. Methods of Organization
Spatial
Chronological
Front
Back
Middle
Behind
Between
To the left
Next to
Above
Below
Near
Far away
North
South
East
West
First
Next
Then
Before
After
Later

10. Methods of Organization
Least to Most
Most to Least

11. Vantage Point
The vantage point is like your perspective in the piece. Think of it as a camera for the reader.
Fixed: Stays in one place.
Moving: Moves from place to place.
Choose a vantage point that feels appropriate to your purpose.
What vantage point(s) will give your reader the most useful information?
From which vantage point(s) can you provide the most revealing or striking details?

12. p. 151