Looking For A Good Example Of A Descriptive Essay: 4 Places To Check
The descriptive essay is a writing form that emphasizes the description of something- this can be anything from a particular experience to a specific place. This genre of writing simply asks the author to recount an experience for the readers, focusing on elements of the objects, people, experiences, and emotions that were present. The goal of the descriptive essay is to appease to the reader’s senses. These types of pieces focus on sensory detail, paying attention to sights, sounds, smells, and tastes, allowing the reader to feel as though they were there.
Developing a topic is often the most challenging task for any writer. The topic you write about is completely up to you- as long as you’re able to describe it in great detail. Topics include the descriptions and narratives surrounding things like, a dream, living in another country, a life altering event or experience, your job as a freelance writer, falling in love, or even something simple like sitting in traffic.
When looking for quality examples of descriptive essays, there are a few options.
- Search by theme. If you already know the theme you plan to write about, conduct your research based on your theme or your topic. A simple Google search will instantly provide thousands of samples. The key is to figure out what each essay does well and what each one doesn’t do so well. Then use that as a guide for creating your own piece.
- Search by the author. Is there an author whose work you admire? Try looking at some of their pieces and pay attention to how it relates to what you hope to achieve in your own work. The use of figurative language is extremely prevalent in descriptive pieces. Focus on authors that are known for their use of creative imagery. Pay close attention to the use of similes, metaphors, and personification.
- Ask a librarian. Whether it’s a simple homework assignment or for your dissertation, librarians are often one of the most underutilized resources when it comes to research. Ask your school or local librarian if there are any authors, essays, or anthologies that they would recommend to help you prepare.
- Use academic sources. Many colleges and universities have writing centers. Many of these writing centers have extremely helpful content and guides online for the public to use. Web sites like Purdue OWL offer really great resources that all students and writers will find useful.