Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

For your first essay, you will write a five-paragraph MLA formatted essay on a descriptive or narrative topic. You choose the topic.

The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks the student to describe something—object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc. This genre encourages the student’s ability to create a written account of a particular experience. What is more, this genre allows for a great deal of artistic freedom (the goal of which is to paint an image that is vivid and moving in the mind of the reader).

Here are some guidelines for writing a descriptive essay:

Take time to brainstorm
If your instructor asks you to describe your favorite food, make sure that you jot down some ideas before you begin describing it. For instance, if you choose pizza, you might start by writing down a few words: sauce, cheese, crust, pepperoni, sausage, spices, hot, melted, etc. Once you have written down some words, you can begin by compiling descriptive lists for each one.

Use clear and concise language.
This means that words are chosen carefully, particularly for their relevancy in relation to that which you are intending to describe.

Choose vivid language.
Why use horse when you can choose stallion? Why not use tempestuous instead of violent? Or why not miserly in place of cheap? Such choices form a firmer image in the mind of the reader and often times offer nuanced meanings that serve better one’s purpose.

Use your senses!
Remember, if you are describing something, you need to be appealing to the senses of the reader. Explain how the thing smelled, felt, sounded, tasted, or looked. Embellish the moment with senses.

What were you thinking?!
If you can describe emotions or feelings related to your topic, you will connect with the reader on a deeper level. Many have felt crushing loss in their lives, or ecstatic joy, or mild complacency. Tap into this emotional reservoir in order to achieve your full descriptive potential.

Leave the reader with a clear impression.
One of your goals is to evoke a strong sense of familiarity and appreciation in the reader. If your reader can walk away from the essay craving the very pizza you just described, you are on your way to writing effective descriptive essays.

Be organized!
It is easy to fall into an incoherent rambling of emotions and senses when writing a descriptive essay. However, you must strive to present an organized and logical description if the reader is to come away from the essay with a cogent sense of what it is you are attempting to describe.

Some possible topics: 

-The best/worst day of your life

-An individual that has a significant impact on your life

-A favorite vacation

-Your favorite memory

-A keepsake with a significant meaning

You want to choose a topic that you can describe in detail using sensory details and figurative language techniques. The goal is to create a visual image in the reader's mind. 

***Use the MLA template to type your rough draft MLA template- click here

This Includes: 

A heading

header (last name and pg # in right-hand corner)

double spaced

12" font (only Arial of Times New Roman)

Indent each paragraph

Capitalize title (all words except for articles and prepositions in the middle)

***Your essay should be a total of 5 paragraphs. It should be a minimum of 800 words.

The following outline may help you: 

Paragraph I) Introduction

    A) Hook

    B) Definition and Description (general background info)

    C) Thesis Statement

Body- 3 Paragraphs

    A) First Topic Sentence

        1) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

        2) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

        3) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

Transition:

          B) Second Topic Sentence

              1) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

              2) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

              3) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

Transition:

          C) Third Topic Sentence

              1) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

              2) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

              3) Supporting Detail, Reason, or Example:

Transition:

Paragraph III) Conclusion

    A) Restate Thesis Statement

    B) Summarize Main Points/Make a Prediction/Add an Evaluation, Opinion, or Solution

    C) Final Thought