Writers use the descriptive essay to paint a vivid image of an individual, location, or object. Unlike a narrative essay, which uses a personal story to reveal meaning, a descriptive essay uses detailed, sensory observation to reveal the meaning of a subject. The descriptive essay uses vocabulary and all of the reader's senses to bring a topic to life for them. If readers feel as if they have met an individual, visited a specific location, or kept a specific object after reading a descriptive essay, the writer has done a good job. If readers feel an emotional attachment to the subject and deep respect for its importance, the writer has done an excellent job. Visit our Descriptive Essay Help page if you need help writing a descriptive essay. Descriptive essays use concrete examples and figurative terms to give readers a better understanding of a topic. After reading a detailed essay, whether it's about a historical episode, a geographical location, or a work of art, it's be...