Name: _______________________
Date:
_______________________
English 10
Essay #1: Descriptive Essay
Assignment: Write an essay
that very clearly describes a particular person, place, or thing. The goal of
this essay is to use lots of supporting details to help the reader understand,
and see the ideas presented.
Minimum length of essay is
300 words (about a page and a half to two pages double spaced.)
_____ Ideas and Development
20 ____minimum
of 300 words
____clear focus on a single topic
____emphasis on description
____sensory details
(sound, smell, taste, touch, sight)
____metaphor and
simile
____use of several
specific details that paint a picture for the reader. (show, don’t tell)
____avoidance of vague, general
descriptions/details
_____ Organization
20 ____appropriate
title
____clear introduction: use engaging
lead, overall summary, underline the thesis
____paragraphing to help the reader,
one topic per paragraph
____elaboration on each topic
____commentary on each topic
____effective transitions both within
and between paragraphs
____clear conclusion: restate the
main points, clearly answer the thesis, connect issue to self
or world, hook back to the lead.
_____ Sentence
Fluency, Voice, and Word Choice
5 ____variety
in sentence length and structure
____variety in sentence beginnings
____appropriate vocabulary
____emphasis
on vivid verb choice (underline at least four descriptive verbs)
_____ Conventions
5 ____neat
and legible – (typed, double-spaced, one inch margins, 12pt standard font)
____correct spelling, punctuation,
usage
____complete, proper sentences (no
fragments, run-ons, and comma splices)
_____ Total
50