8/13/2019 Guidelines for Descriptive Essay

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/guidelines-for-descriptive-essay 1/2

EAP 1 & 2: Short Descriptive Essay (with elements of narration)

Due: Monday, February 11, 2013

Worth: 10%

Select a topic from the list below or use your own and write a short descriptive essay with elements of

narration of 600-700 words. Remember that your essay should include a substantial descriptive element and

 be framed into a narrative (i.e., a sequence of events with some type of conflict or drama). Indicate the wordcount at the end of your essay.

Follow these guidelines:

1.  Tell a story about something that happened to you over a short period of time. As in the essays from

Chapters 6 and 7 that we have read, the action should take place over a short time period  — this is

important. Your essay should not be too general, such as “My Trip to Canada.” Make sure that younarrow the topic sufficiently to be able to devote the majority of the essay to the description per se.

2.  The essay should contain a detailed description that supports the narrative and, most importantly,

appeals to the reader’s senses. 

3.  Include and describe any people, animals, or locations that are important to the overall impression.

4.  Craft the action into a plot (some tension, some suspense, a resolution). Omit any unnecessary

information.

5.  Present parts in a meaningful order  — chronology must be clear (use transition words) and use enough

detail that the reader knows what is happening, but not so much that the reader gets bogged down.

Remember that details must be important and appropriate.

6.  Include a statement somewhere in the essay (where you see fit) that expresses the thesis of the essay.

7.  All sentences in the essay must be clearly written with correct grammar, syntax, punctuation, andspelling.

Topics

  The first meeting with someone who later became important in your life

  An episode while travelling in another country

  An incident that taught you something (for example, who your friend really was, or when to keepyour mouth shut)

  A memorable dinner party

  An event that occurred in your neighbourhood when you were a child

  A very embarrassing experience

  A baby-sitting ordeal

8/13/2019 Guidelines for Descriptive Essay

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/guidelines-for-descriptive-essay 2/2

 

  A memorable date

  A brush with death

  An intense spiritual experience

  A frightening experience

  A time you were lost

Assignment Formatting — APA Style

Include a title page that lists the original title of your essay in the top left corner with the page number in the

right corner. Include this on every page. Centred in the middle include title, your name, the name of the

school, the due date for the essay, course and section number, and the name of the instructor.

Running head: THE MANY FACES OF THE VAMPIRE 1

The Many Faces of the Vampire

John Smith

Concordia University College of Alberta

February 11, 2013

EAP 1 and 2

Instructor: Dr. Lana Krys

THE MANY FACES OF THE VAMPIRE 2

Start your text here. Double space the assignment, and use a font of reasonable size that is

easy to read. Use left justification only (i.e., text on the right side of your document should not  be

aligned).