Descriptive Narrative Essay As defined in the textbook chapter that you read about description, “The writer of description creates a word-picture of people, places, objects, and emotions, using a careful selection of details to make an impression on the reader” (Wyrick 323). For this writing assignment, you will be showing your reader a significant experience in your life by writing a story using descriptive writing. You will write a subjective narrative–a story from your particular point of view. The topic: This essay invites you to reflect on one significant event or experience that has retained a special place in your memory. Perhaps this moment shaped your identity or your feelings about your family; maybe this experience is still so vivid to you because it was a turning point in your life; or, maybe you just want to share a funny moment from your childhood because it’s an entertaining story. When deciding on the memory to share, be sure it’s one you can write about descriptively. The story you tell should not be a three-year account of junior high, or a long-winded analysis of your entire adolescence. Pinpoint one particular moment or experience. Close your eyes and try to relive it so that you can write a descriptive piece that is imaginable to the reader. Since this essay should only be 2-3 pages in length, please be sure you choose a memory that could be carefully and descriptively told with that page length in mind. Do some pre-writing: I suggest you write down some ideas of stories you can tell and how you would tell it. Try to freewrite before you begin the formal writing process. Most likely, you will be able to work some of the freewriting material into your essay. Organization of the story: Think of your story as having a beginning, middle, and ending. You need to set up the story so that your reader understands where/when the narrative is taking place; your middle portion should be the action or conflict within the story. For the essay’s closing section, you should include an appropriate and thorough “wrapping up” that creates a sense of closure and reflects the story’s significance to you. Do not end the story without giving the reader a reminder of the story’s message. Why is this story important to you? Why do you remember it? Descriptive writing: This essay should be from a first-person perspective. This is your experience, so capture it best by showing your reader what you saw, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted. Write descriptively, with a variety of verbs, adjectives, and with sensory details. Remember to show and not tell. Showing tantalizes the senses. Describe the smell of the moment with adjectives. Show your audience what you saw. Allow your readers to hear what you heard. Due dates: Sunday, May 24: Rough Draft Due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 31: Final Draft due by 11:59 p.m. Length & formatting: 2–3 pages double spaced with Times New Roman font, size 12 pt., with 1-inch margins An original (and interesting!) title
