DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY - General Guidelines

1. The purpose of writing is to describe the details of a specific event.
2. Since you have no notes to fall back on (not like in Directed Writing), you need to come up with your own details.
3. You can use your senses to help you give the details :
 What do you see?
 What do you hear?
 What do you taste?
 What do you feel?
 What do you think?
4. When describing an event, you can think of :
 the purpose of the event
 the date, time and venue
 the people/audience/participants/guests involved
 the sequence of events – the highs and the lows, incidents, etc.
 everything you see, hear, taste, feel or think
 other people’s views
 a good introduction and a good conclusion

They are three (3) types of descriptive essays. They are:
a) Describing a scene/event
b) Describing a place
c) Describing a person

A) DESCRIBING AN EVENT / A SCENE
When describing a scene or event, you are required to write in some details about the people
and activities going on.

Guidelines in writing descriptions of scenes/events
 Be clear about what scene/event you are describing
 Description must be lively and interesting
 Describe activities in details
 Activities are arranged in order
 Highlight person involved & what are they doing
 Capture the mood of the scene (noise, lights & colours)

B) DESCRIBING A PLACE
When describing a place, you are required to describe the place in detail. In your description,
include the people and activities going on.

Guidelines in writing descriptions of places
 Give an introduction to the place
 Give a physical description of the place (from outside moving to inside)
 Describe what you see and hear
 Describe in details the activities and attractions
 Can include your personal feelings about the place

C. DESCRIBING A PERSON
When describing a person/a group of people, you should give enough details about the
person/people. Include their lifestyle, contributions if any and daily activities.

Guidelines in writing descriptions of people
 Be clear about who you are describing
 If he/she is a famous person, mention why is he/she famous
 If it is about a group, some knowledge about them is vital
 Your description must be interesting
 Mention the special features why that person is outstanding
 Use present tense if the person is still alive