Descriptive Essay

Writing Patterns and Styles

Objectives

• Use description appropriately in writing based on purpose and intended audience
• List guidelines for using description
• Use narration appropriately in writing based on purpose and intended audience
• List guidelines for using narration

Assignment Overview

In this writing assignment, you explore different writing styles.

Deliverables

A two-page (500-word) essay in APA format.

Step 1  Select a description assignment topic. 

• Describe a problem you are having at work
• Describe a goal you plan to achieve
• Describe an event that influenced you
• Describe the elements that create a satisfying shopping experience, game day, or vacation

Step 2  Write a descriptive paragraph 

Write a descriptive paragraph based on the topic you selected.

Step 3  Write a narrative essay. 

Incorporate your descriptive paragraph into a two-page (500-word) narrative essay. In your essay, refer to the following tips for constructing a successful story:

• Emphasize details vital to your point
• Relate events in chronological order
• Include dialogue
• Show, don't tell