adminCharles Dube
FOREMOST, we need to understand description. Experts tell us that our senses enable us to experience the world around. We can see a beautiful scenery or hear a crashing sound from a collision of two vehicles. We can smell the fresh floor polish that has been applied on the lounge floor.
Description is also described in the following terms: it is writing through which we also share these sensations. Effective description includes: sensory details that convey sights, sounds, smells, tastes and physical sensations, vivid language that brings a subject into focus and figurative language that compares the subject with other objects. There are various types of descriptive writing. Purely descriptive writings include the following:
In the hands of a good writer, descriptive essays create a vivid picture of a person, place or a thing. Unlike a narrative essay, which reveals meaning through a personal story, the purpose of a descriptive essay is to reveal the meaning of a subject through detailed sensory observation. The description of a person, place, or thing, may focus on the physical appearance or the significance of the subject. A description of an idea uses concrete images to show an abstract complicated, or otherwise intangible concept.
An observation objectively describes an event that the writer has witnessed. A remembrance of a person, place, or thing uses vivid details to capture a memorable part of the writer’s past. A descriptive essay should create a vivid (clear) picture of the topic in the reader’s mind. Use strong description in this type of writing. Steps to writing a descriptive essay are: choose a topic, create a statement, and get the senses right, create an outline and write the conclusion.
The most important watchword of writing a descriptive essay is show, do not tell. One of the best ways to show involves all the senses — not just sight, but also hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Write so that the reader will see the sunrise, hear a melodious song from the school choir, taste the freshly baked scones, or feel the touch of a hand. Use descriptive and figurative language, as well as concrete images to describe the subject. Similes and metaphors work well in descriptions.
Possible options you can use to practice writing descriptive essays: choose a person to describe. One option for a topic is to describe a person that you know well. This could be a friend, a family member like your sister, brother, your mother or father. The bottom line is choose a person that you have a lot to write about so you have enough material for the essay. You will not get stuck in the middle of the essay resulting in incoherent work. You could also choose a fictional person to write about, such as a character in a book, a story, or a play.
You could pick a place or object to describe. Focus on a specific place or object that you have strong feelings about. This could be a place like your childhood home, your primary or high school. Another take on this option is to write about a made up place or object, such as the fantastical school in your favourite book. Select an emotion to describe. Some descriptive essays are about an emotion, which you connect to or relate to. You may choose a strong emotion using your own experience with it.
In descriptive essays if readers get the feeling that they have really met the person, have gone to a particular place or held a certain object, the writer has done a good job. If readers also feel an emotional connection and deep appreciation for the subject, the writer has done a great job. Let us move on to argumentative essays. Argumentative essays deal with facts only. Some learners might be asking themselves a question like: “What is an argumentative essay?
Among all the essays done up to O-level, this one is the most challenging. Wise learners avoid answering it in the public examinations. However, I am not suggesting that it cannot be done as some learners feel at home when they answer argumentative essays. Learners have to understand that an argumentative essay deals with facts only.
It is a piece of writing where you get to give your opinions on an issue. It is not a piece of writing where you get to go into an emotional tirade. It is a piece of writing where you get to present facts that support your opinion. It is not a piece of writing where you just spout out your opinions and expect others to simply accept them. It is a piece of writing where you have to give the opposing side’s argument too. It is not a piece of writing where you can just dismiss the opposing side with insults and attacks.
In an argumentative essay, you take a stand on a controversial issue, and you write an essay that proves your opinion is the stronger one. If you do not do this right, you stand to defeat your argument and the other side wins. Show no emotions on your part. But, this does not mean that you cannot stir some emotions in your readers, but do it subtly, by presenting facts that will make them respond emotionally. Make sure you have facts that do exactly that.
You are advised not to slam the other side with disrespectful terms such as “stupid”, “uninformed”, “evil” or “crazy”. You may be able to show this with your evidence, but do not call it out, let the readers come to those conclusions.
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