CHAPTER FIVE
DESC
RIPTI
VE
ESSAY
Definition :
The descritive essay is the type of essay which draws a picture in
the mind of the reader of a scenes ; object or idea by using mostly
words that appeal to the senes. It requires keen observation powers
related to our senes – WORD PICTURES which bring to life what you
are describing. In describing either a scene or an object, we normally
begin from the general features and proceed to the specific and
smallest details of feeling, mood, manner and distance, place and
shape, sense of touch, taste, smell, colour and background
information. The weapons of this type of essay are captivating topic
sentences and the use of picture-creating words.
A descriptive always has a purpose and it is through the purpose
that you can choose between what type of descriptive, to write.
Descriptive can be technical. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION requires you
giving an objective account of whatever you are describing without
creating your own impressions. The purpose of technical description
is to inform the reader of what you are describing which he/she does
not know and is expected to get a true picture of it from yours
description. This may entail the description of town, person and
animal to a friend who has not had the opportunity of seeing what
you are describing. This type of description is rare and in the
examination, since you did not get into the hall with a person, object
or scene in your mind, you may not indulge in writing it.