FRESHMAN COMPOSITION, RHETORIC, GRAMMAR II

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INTRO. TO LITERARY RESEARCH & WRITING

INSTRUCTOR: James Maxfield

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Description Essay
 

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English 1010: James Maxfield, Instructor

Tips for Writing—The Descriptive Mode

The rhetorical mode of description, like all good writing, is used in virtually all forms of writing to some extent. Description is "a way of picturing images verbally in speech or writing and of arranging those images in some kind of logical or associational pattern" (D"Angelo 129). When we describe things or events vividly and imaginatively, the reader will more easily remember them and associate their own feelings with your main point. Such description is frequently used as a supporting strategy. But it can also be your main essay strategy. And like narration, description is often based on personal experience or observation.

For Descriptive Essay writing:

Use lots of sensory details (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell)

(sight is often considered the strongest sense)

Use both objective and subjective description

Objective: To describe objectively (like a news reporter), keep your own feelings and opinions out of it

Subjective: You will focus primarily on how things or events make you feel or react

(most often) You will use spatial organization to clarify relationships for the reader and to help

them visualize the scene you are writing about

You can arrange your description in 4 basic ways (per D’Angelo):

Vertical Order (top to bottom or bottom to top)—like describing your ascent or descent on a mountain

Horizontal order (left to right or right to left)—like a movie camera taking in a panoramic view from side to side

Depth order (looking inside out or outside in)—like exploring a cave or scuba-diving in the ocean

Circular Order (clockwise or counterclockwise)—like a series of trips where you end up back where you started or a 360 degree movie shot

Possible Essay Model using Description with a vertical arrangement

Introduction: Establish time, place, events, who is acting the events, begin the action, state your

main point and purpose in writing

Body:

Describe element # 1 (starting with the upper or lower part of the object or scene)

Describe element # 2 (the middle part of the object or scene)

Describe element # 3 (focus on the remaining part of the object or scene) (Note: You can have more than 3 elements)

Conclusion: Summarize the object or scene; add a relevant or surprise comment that reflects back on your main point or thesis statement in the introduction.

 

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Last modified: 04/30/06