Avoid Vagueness:
- Refrain from using vague words or generalities such as "good," "nice," or "beautiful".
- Use specific nouns and active verbs to create a "dominant impression".
- Example:
- Vague: "I ate a good dinner."
- Descriptive: "I devoured a steaming hot, cheese-filled pepperoni pizza for dinner."
Engaging the Five Senses
Appeal to Imagination:
- A well-written description appeals to the reader's senses by detailing how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels.
Sight:
- Example: "The sun scattered tiny diamonds across dew-covered grass as it peeked out from beyond the horizon."
Sound:
- Avoid general descriptors such as "it was loud". Instead, describe the elements:
- Example: "honking horns" and "rumbling traffic".
Smell:
- Use specific aromas:
- Example: "the aroma of freshly brewed coffee".
Touch:
- Describe the texture:
- Example: "The texture of the adobe hut's walls resembled coarse sandpaper."
Taste:
- Engage taste through vivid descriptions:
- Example: "Giant goose bumps formed on my tongue when I accidentally bit into a sliver of lemon."
Organizing Your Examples
Matching Organization to Description:
- The way you organize your examples should match the subject you are describing to keep the mental picture clear for the reader.
Spatial Order (Best for Places):
- Describe a room from top to bottom or left to right.
- Example Thesis: "My bedroom is an ocean sanctuary."
- Transitions: Use words like "above," "behind," "next to," or "on top of".
Chronological Order (Best for Events):
- Arrange details based on time.
- Example Thesis: "The wooden roller coaster in Coney Island is a work of art."
- Transitions: Use words like "finally," "suddenly," "meanwhile," or "afterwards".
Order of Importance (Best for People/Objects):
- Start with the most striking detail or save the best for last.
- Transitions: Use phrases like "most importantly," "significantly," or "best of all".
Creating a Strong Thesis
Role of Thesis:
- Your thesis acts as the "dominant impression" that organizes your essay, elevating it beyond a random set of observations.
- It identifies your subject and sets the tone for the piece.
Weak Example:
- "I am going to describe my dog."
Strong Example:
- "My aging golden retriever is a gentle soul with fur the color of a setting sun." (This applies the principle of a dominant impression).