What is a Descriptive Essay?

Length: 900-1500 words

Sources: none 

 

Assignment Guidelines

For your Descriptive Essay, you will answer the question “What does it mean to live in a diverse society?”  In your Narrative Essay, you addressed your values, but here you will examine why your core values are different from others.  This is not an easy question and will take some time to think of the best way to approach this.  

In our examination of Identity & Worldview this term, you are asked to connect your thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions with those of others: What do others value?  Why are their values different from yours?  How can we have respect for others’ values living in a diverse society? Read through y for an explanation of the types of diversity.  You’ll choose an aspect of diversity in your thesis, then divide this into 3+ smaller components addressing why in your body paragraphs; from here, use personal experiences to support each body paragraph. 

Aspects of a diverse society: ethnicity, cultural background, educational background, geography, socioeconomic background, gender roles, age, sexual orientation, religion, political views, physical ability, and extracurricular abilities. 

 

What does the Writing Process look like for a Descriptive Essay?

 

Pre-Writing

Review “What does the Writing Process look like?” found under “Where to Start.”

Read through the prompt and think about what you value.  Look through the list of suggestions to see which appeals to you.

Don’t jump into organization right away, but give yourself a few days to mull over this topic, talk to friends and family to see if they have any suggestions about what they see as your beliefs, and think critically about your experiences with this aspect of diversity.

 

Organization

Despite asking you to use personal examples for support rather than research, you still need a structured essay with an Introduction, 3+ Body Paragraphs, & Conclusion.  Start by writing a preliminary  that includes which aspect of a diverse society you will base your paper on.  From here, break down that thesis into 3+ smaller ideas, which will become your body paragraphs.  These may be 3+ reasons why you think people have different perspectives or 3+ examples of the difference. Either using a formal outline structure or bulleted list, organize your thesis and 3+ smaller ideas.  With these, start filling in your list of personal information and examples to support the topic sentences.  What are examples from your life?  Use that to guide you. 

 

Drafting

Focus on structuring the . Build on your Outline by making those 3+ bulleted items into your topic sentences and adding details to your examples, speaking from an “I” perspective.  With your first draft, don’t concern yourself with being perfect–just get your ideas down on paper.  

Once you have a solid paragraph structure, write your preliminary  and  Paragraphs.

Remember that the Writing Process is recursive, so you will draft and revise many times before getting to the final project.

 

Revision

Look at the rubric, so you know how this Essay will be graded.  Empower yourself by knowing how you will earn points.

Read through your paper for thesis, structure, and support concerns, using “Revision” techniques found under “Where to Start.”

Begin your revision by looking at the “big point-value” items, moving on to the lesser point-value items.  I think it’s best to start with the thesis statement and topic sentences before moving on to the cohesion of paragraphs and clarity of ideas.  You can then work to have transitions between and within your paragraphs and access the effectiveness of support. 

Ask yourself if your paper answers the assignment question and fulfills the guidelines.

 

Editing

 Then, read through your paper looking for grammar and language concerns, using “Editing” techniques found under “Where to Start.”  It’s best to focus on major structural changes before concerning yourself with small concerns.  

 

Before submitting your Essay, make sure you have the following:

Attend our Virtual Class or post your 250-word summary/analysis of meeting content.  You must post this before submitting your Essay; if you post this afterwards, I cannot offer you credit.

Set-up your essay using , including heading, header, and Works Cited (if needed).  You were not asked to use sources in this paper, but if you chose to, cite these  and on your  using MLA. 

Your file name should include the Essay Name and your name, something like ACarlson_Essay 1.  Save your essay as Microsoft Word .docx or .rtf or a .gdoc through your ECC Google account.

 

Before submitting your Revision, make sure you have the following:

Attend an Instructor/Write Place meeting to discuss your paper.  While I prefer you complete this prior to posting your Essay, you must complete this prior to posting your Revision; if you attend a meeting afterward, I cannot offer you credit. 

Read through the in-line feedback I offer you in addition to the general commentary in the note and rubric grade determination.  If you have any questions about my commentary and/or would like additional feedback on your revision, request another meeting.

Revise the thesis, structure, and support to earn the most possible points and edit the grammar and language to reflect an academic paper.