However, in some instances, not all of the senses will be applicable for the description. Through these descriptions, the reader can see, hear, feel, and smell the tree while reading the sentence. This writer describes how the tree feels (soft and damp), how the tree smells (sweet), how the tree sounds (it whistles), and how the tree looks (pink and yellow-green). Unlike the writer of the first sentence, who only vaguely describes how the tree looked, the writer of the second sentence appeals to at least four of the reader’s five senses. The second sentence, however, provides the reader with descriptive information that makes the tree unique. Saying that the tree is “tall” and “green” does not help separate the tree being described from any other tree. While the first description does provide some detail (that the tree is both “tall” and “green”), it does not help the reader picture the tree. How do these descriptions compare? If these two sentences both describe the same tree, which sentence provides a better picture for the reader? Why?

Sentence 2: The soft and damp pink flowers of the dogwood tree smelled sweet in the cool spring air as the wind whistled through its yellow-green leaves.

For instance, examine the differences between the descriptions below: To appeal to these senses, the writer must use descriptive language, usually in the form of adjectives, that describes the sensations felt by the senses. In order to provide this vivid detail, the writer must use language that appeals to the reader’s five senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. Instead, descriptive paragraphs must focus on vividly and objectively describing something to the reader. Unlike narrative paragraphs, which must include personal thoughts, feelings, and growth, descriptive paragraphs do not need to be personal in nature. Indicate in writing the significance of a person, place, object, and event.Ī descriptive paragraph provides a vibrant experience for the reader through vivid language and descriptions of something.Master the organizational schemes associated with descriptive paragraphs.Describe a person, a place, an object, or an event adequately and concisely.Identify the different types of descriptive paragraphs: person, place, object, and event.Conceptualize the difference between showing the reader and telling the reader.Understand and utilize the descriptive language associated with the five senses.

Definition paragraph examples