Page 294 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

state a dominant impression in your thesis; a few possibilities are
listed below. Make sure that all the details in your essay support the

dominant impression. Focus on sense impressions, details that can be

expressed through sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Don’t simply

say that someone has bad breath; let your reader smell it: “His breath

reeked with the sour, sharp odor of cigarettes, unbrushed teeth, and

onions he had eaten the night before.”

arrogant easygoing graceful neat

dignified elegant gruff unhappy

disorganized forbidding messy upbeat

Descriptive Essay 3: Vacation in Paradise

What is your idea of the perfect vacation spot? Describe the spot,
including details such as the climate and the landscape; the hotel,

campsite, or cabin you would stay in; and the attractions you would

visit.

Essay-Based Topic: A Childhood Role Model
Reread Maya Angelou’s essay, “Complaining,” at the beginning of this

chapter . Sister Henderson, Angelou’s grandmother, was obviously a

strong influence in her life. Write an essay describing an adult who

influenced you when you were a child. Focus on the traits of character

and personality in your role model that helped to make you the person
you are today. Try, as Angelou does, to show the character of the

person you describe through the person’s actions and words.