Descriptive Essay Outline: Your Step-by-Step Guide

You may be a pro at augmenting your point of view or contrasting and comparing, but descriptive essays are a completely different beast. Their whole purpose is to fully immerse the reader in the described scene, and that means you’ll have to be as detailed and engaging in your narrative as possible.

So, you might think there’s no point in creating a descriptive essay outline if you don’t have to provide sources or prepare arguments. Well, that’s not true: outlines can still ensure the text’s smooth flow and streamline the writing process overall.

Keep reading to find out how experts at our descriptive essay writing service create effective outlines, including:

• Key steps toward creating an effective outline
• Outline template
• Five outline examples
• Essay format and outlining tips

Struggling with writing a descriptive essay that engages your readers even after creating a detailed outline? DoMyEssay experts can take care of it for you while you focus on completing your other assignments or simply living your best life.

What Is a Descriptive Essay? Your Quick Recap

Before we dive into how to write an effective outline for a descriptive essay, let’s brush up on what descriptive essays are. Put simply, it’s a type of essay that requires you to describe something in vivid detail. That something could be a person, a place, an event, an object, or an experience.

Unlike most of your essay assignments, descriptive essays don’t require defending your point of view or providing evidence for your claims. Instead, they’re meant to help you learn how to use language as a tool for painting a vivid picture for your readers.

To write a powerful descriptive essay, you should focus on details, such as:

• Five senses: hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste
• Your emotional experiences
• Your thoughts and insights

Your first ventures into the descriptive essay territory may turn out to be quite frustrating if you’re not used to describing anything in detail. But you should persist because mastering this essay type will help you:

• Develop your language and writing skills by expanding your vocabulary and enhancing your figurative language use
• Engage readers whenever you need to describe a situation or experience, which can be helpful in journalism, marketing, advertising, and creative writing

3 Steps Toward an Effective Descriptive Essay Outline

Much like any other essay, a descriptive essay consists of the introduction, the main body, and the conclusion. Keep that in mind when you start outlining: each step you’ll need to take will concern one of these components.

That said, the outline should also reflect the number of paragraphs you’ll need to write, and that can vary from one assignment to another. We’ll take the five-paragraph essay structure as the default example below.

Here’s how our experts create outlines that help them stay on point and craft compelling, immersive narratives in three main steps.

1. Start with the Descriptive Essay Introduction

The first paragraph should immediately set the scene for your reader to let them know what your descriptive essay is about and what to expect from it going forward. In other words, strive to introduce the descriptive essay topic right off the bat, along with the text’s main idea.

Here’s what you should include in your essay outline for the introductory paragraph:

• Hook, a powerful opening statement that immediately grips the reader’s attention
• Context, a brief description of what the reader needs to know going forward (optional)
• Thesis, the main idea or theme of your essay that ties it all together
• Preview, a hint at what you’ll be describing in the main body paragraphs (optional)

When you approach writing the thesis, think about the key point you’re trying to make in your descriptive essay. If you had to condense all of it into just one sentence, what would it be?

2. Map Out the Main Body Paragraphs

The main body is the meat of your essay: this is where you focus on details, emotions, and experiences. The number of paragraphs here depends on the prompt, as well as the overall word count limit.

That said, if you’re working on a 5-paragraph descriptive essay outline, you’ll need to create a blueprint for three main body paragraphs. Each paragraph’s outline will consist of:

• Topic sentence, the key point you’ll be focusing on in this paragraph
• Details, presented in a logical order (chronological, spatial, etc.)
• Transition, a sentence that ties the paragraph back to the thesis statement and/or underscores the point’s significance

As for organizing the main body paragraphs within a descriptive essay, you can follow this general template:

• Paragraph 1: Spatial or physical description of the subject
• Paragraph 2: Sensory details (taste, touch, smell, sound, sight)
• Paragraph 3: Personal connection to the subject or its significance

3. Finish It Up with the Descriptive Essay Conclusion

To wrap up your descriptive essay and end it on a strong note, you’ll need a conclusion that ties all of your points together and links them back to its main idea. Here’s how to plan for writing it when you create your outline:

• Sum up the main impression the essay’s subject left on you or the mood it provoked
• Echo your thesis, but don’t outright repeat it; instead, reinforce it or take a fresh spin on it
• Add a closer, which is a powerful final sentence that you want to leave your reader with; it can reflect the lasting effect the subject left on you or provide readers with some food for thought

Your Descriptive Essay Outline Template

Need a descriptive essay structure cheat sheet to speed up creating an outline next time? You’re in luck! We put together a template for a five-paragraph descriptive essay that fits the most common assignment requirements.

Keep in mind, however, that you might need to expand or tweak it if you have other length requirements or guidelines on what to include in the introduction, main body, or conclusion.

1. Introduction
   
   1. Hook: Open with a surprising opening statement
   2. Context (optional): Provide background information necessary for understanding the rest of the essay
   3. Thesis: Encapsulate the essay’s main idea or theme in a single sentence
   4. Preview (optional): Hint at the content of the body paragraphs
2. Body Paragraph 1: Spatial/Physical Description
   
   1. Topic sentence: Communicate that you’ll be focusing on spatial/physical description
   2. Details: Paint a vivid picture of the physical appearance and/or spatial relationships in a location
   3. Transition: Echo the thesis or sum up the paragraph’s main idea
3. Body Paragraph 2: Sensory Details
   
   1. Topic sentence: Shift the focus to sensory details
   2. Details: Use the five senses to describe the subject
   3. Transition: Refer to the thesis or sum up the paragraph’s point
4. Body Paragraph 3: Personal Connection/Significance
   
   1. Topic sentence: Introduce your connection to the subject or its significance
   2. Reflection: Describe how the subject affected you and/or what you think of it
   3. Transition: Echo the thesis or sum up your insight/reflection
5. Conclusion
   
   1. Main impression: Sum up the impression or mood the subject left on you
   2. Restated thesis: Tie the main impression to the thesis from the introduction
   3. Closer: Leave the reader with a final image, emotion, or thought

5 Descriptive Essay Outline Examples

Sometimes, it’s better to see one good descriptive essay outline example than to read a dozen guides on how to write it. So, we prepared not one but five examples of outlines for a variety of cases, from a general outline to examples for essays about places or people.

Descriptive Narrative Essay Outline

Topic: “The Day the Storm Came”

1. Introduction
   
   1. Hook: “The air carried an eerie stillness as if the world itself was holding its breath.”
   2. Context: Introduce the setting: a small town on the verge of an unexpected storm.
   3. Thesis: The essay will describe the build-up, experience, and emotional impact of a powerful storm.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Setting the Scene (Before the Storm)
   
   1. Topic Sentence: The calm before the storm.
   2. Details:
      
      1. The quiet town: rustling leaves, people outside, dogs barking.
      2. Weather clues: sky color, temperature drop, distant thunder.
      3. Mood: subtle unease mixed with ordinary routines.
3. Body Paragraph 2: The Storm Hits
   
   1. Topic Sentence: The sudden shift from calm to chaos.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Rain slashing windows, trees bending, power flickering.
      2. Descriptive language for sound (roaring wind, cracking trees), light (lightning flashes), and emotion (heart pounding, holding breath).
4. Body Paragraph 3: Emotional Aftermath and Reflection
   
   1. Topic Sentence: What was left behind after the storm passed?
   2. Details:
      
      1. Destruction outside: flooded streets, fallen branches, silence.
      2. Emotional reaction: relief, reflection on nature’s power, sense of vulnerability.
      3. Personal growth: realizing how small we are against nature but how strong we can be in the face of fear.
5. Conclusion
   
   1. Main Impression: The storm was terrifying but unforgettable, both destructive and strangely beautiful.
   2. Restated Thesis: Tie back to thesis and emotional growth.
   3. Final Thought: “Even now, whenever the sky turns that shade of yellow, I remember how quiet the world became just before everything changed.”

Descriptive Essay Outline About a Person

Topic: “My Grandfather’s Hands”

1. Introduction
   
   1. Hook: “They were rough, calloused, and stained with time. These hands told more stories than any photograph ever could.”
   2. Context: Introduce the grandfather as a central figure in the writer’s life.
   3. Thesis: This essay will describe the grandfather through the lens of his hands, capturing the life he lived and the legacy he left.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Physical Description
   
   1. Topic Sentence: Describe the appearance of his hands.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Wrinkles, thick fingers, old burns from tools.
      2. Yellowed nails, dry skin, strong grip despite age.
      3. How they looked when holding a cup or resting.
3. Body Paragraph 2: What His Hands Did
   
   1. Topic Sentence: The hands as tools of work and love.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Built wooden furniture, repaired engines, planted gardens.
      2. Patting a child’s back, handing over a sandwich, clasped in prayer.
      3. Symbol of effort and tenderness; strong yet gentle.
4. Body Paragraph 3: Emotional and Personal Connection
   
   1. Topic Sentence: What those hands meant to the writer.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Holding hands during difficult times.
      2. A memory of him teaching something or comforting the writer.
      3. Reflection on how those hands shaped the writer’s view of strength, love, and legacy.
5. Conclusion
   
   1. Restate Central Idea: The grandfather’s hands were living proof of a life of quiet strength and deep love.
   2. Emotional Reflection: What the writer has learned or carries forward.
   3. Final Thought: “Though he’s gone, I still see those hands in everything I do.”

Descriptive Essay Outline About a Place

Topic: “The Hidden Garden Behind My Grandmother’s House”

1. Introduction
   
   1. Hook: “Tucked behind ivy-covered walls and a crooked wooden gate lay a world untouched by time.”
   2. Context: Introduce the hidden garden as a special, almost magical place from childhood.
   3. Thesis: This essay will describe the garden’s appearance, atmosphere, and the feelings it inspired, showing how it became a personal sanctuary of peace and wonder.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Physical Layout and Visual Beauty
   
   1. Topic Sentence: Describe the layout and visual elements of the garden.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Cobblestone path winding through flower beds.
      2. Overgrown vines, a stone bench, small fountain covered in moss.
      3. Bright splashes of color from tulips, lavender, and marigolds.
3. Body Paragraph 2: Sounds, Smells, and Atmosphere
   
   1. Topic Sentence: Describe the sensory experience of being in the garden.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Chirping birds, buzzing bees, distant chimes.
      2. Scents of jasmine, damp soil, and fresh herbs.
      3. The hush of the wind through the trees.
4. Body Paragraph 3: Personal Meaning and Memories
   
   1. Topic Sentence: Reflect on what the garden meant emotionally.
   2. Details:
      
      1. A place to read, think, or talk.
      2. Favorite childhood memory: helping pick mint.
      3. What it represented: safety, comfort, quiet joy.
5. Conclusion
   
   1. Central Impression: The garden was more than just a physical space; it was a memory-filled refuge.
   2. Emotional Reflection: How it shaped the writer’s love for nature or solitude.
   3. Final Thought: “Though the gate is now rusted shut, I still walk that garden path in my mind, flower by flower, step by step.”

Descriptive Portrait Essay Outline

Topic: “The Girl with the Paint-Stained Fingers”

1. Introduction
   
   1. Hook: “Her fingers were always smudged with color – crimson, cobalt, gold – as if her soul had started to spill out through her skin.”
   2. Context: Introduce the girl as a mysterious and inspiring figure, maybe a friend, classmate, or sibling.
   3. Thesis Statement: This essay will describe her appearance, habits, and artistic passion, showing how her creativity shaped the way others saw her and how she saw the world.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Physical Appearance
   
   1. Topic Sentence: Her outward appearance hinted at the inner world she carried.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Paint-stained hands and clothes, wild curls tied back with a pencil.
      2. Bright eyes full of motion, always scanning and imagining.
      3. Clothing that didn’t match but always seemed to belong to an artist.
3. Body Paragraph 2: Habits and Behavior
   
   1. Topic Sentence: Her actions spoke louder than words; she lived in the language of art.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Sketching on napkins, losing track of time in the studio.
      2. Talking with her hands, laughing with her whole body.
      3. Often quiet when thinking, then suddenly animated when an idea hit.
4. Body Paragraph 3: Emotional and Creative Impact
   
   1. Topic Sentence: She wasn’t just creative; she made others feel more creative, too.
   2. Details:
      
      1. Inspired those around her to draw, notice beauty, or think differently.
      2. Made art feel personal, not perfect.
      3. What her presence meant to the narrator: motivation, curiosity, admiration.
5. Conclusion
   
   1. Restate Central Impression: She was the kind of person who left a trail of color wherever she went.
   2. Emotional Reflection: How knowing her changed the narrator’s perspective on self-expression.
   3. Final Thought: “Long after her paintings fade, I’ll still remember the girl with the paint-stained fingers and the fire of ideas in her eyes.”

Descriptive Essay Outline Worksheet

Topic: “A Rainy Day at the Old Train Station”

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

Title: _________________________

I. Introduction

1. Hook:
   Write a vivid opening sentence that draws the reader into the scene.
   ➤ _____________________________________________________________
   ➤ _____________________________________________________________
2. Background/Context:
   Briefly introduce the old train station and its setting.
   ➤ _____________________________________________________________
   ➤ _____________________________________________________________
3. Thesis statement:
   What overall impression, feeling, or message will your essay convey?
   ➤ _____________________________________________________________

II. Body Paragraph 1: Physical Description of the Train Station

• Topic sentence:
  ➤ _____________________________________________________________
• Details to describe (sight, space, textures):
  ➤ Old wooden benches: __________________________________________
  ➤ Broken clocks or chipped paint: ________________________________
  ➤ Platform, tracks, structure: ____________________________________

III. Body Paragraph 2: Sounds, Smells, and Atmosphere During Rain

• Topic sentence:
  ➤ _____________________________________________________________
• Sensory details:
  ➤ Sound of rain on roof/glass: ____________________________________
  ➤ Smell of wet concrete, old wood, or coffee: _______________________
• Mood/Feeling created:
  ➤ _____________________________________________________________

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Personal Reflection or Connection

• Topic sentence:
  ➤ _____________________________________________________________
• Personal memory or emotion tied to this place:
  ➤ _____________________________________________________________
  ➤ _____________________________________________________________
• What it means to you:
  ➤ _____________________________________________________________

V. Conclusion

• Restate the main impression or feeling:
  ➤ _____________________________________________________________
• Final image or thought: ➤ _____________________________________________________________

Descriptive Essay Format

Properly formatting your essay will make it easier to read and more visually appealing. That said, you should check your assignment to see if you need to use a specific citation style like the MLA, Chicago, or APA.

If you’re left to your own devices when formatting your descriptive essay, here are some best practices you can follow:

• Font: Make it a readable serif (for printing, e.g., Times New Roman) or sans-serif (for screens, e.g., Arial)
• Type size: Will depend on the font, but opt for the 12pt by default
• Line spacing: Use double spacing for the whole text, including the title
• Title: Add it in bold and center it, capitalize if required
• Title page/Running head: Specify your name, instructor, course, institution, and due date
• Indentation: Add a half-inch indent for all paragraphs
• Justification: Use left alignment for maximum readability

8 Tips for Nailing Your Descriptive Essay Outline

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s leave you with expert tips on how to write an effective outline:

• Choose the right topic. If you’re not given a specific prompt, find the right topic before diving into the outline. It shouldn’t be too general and should appeal to you.
• Understand your goal. What is the emotion or impression you want to evoke with your descriptive essay? That’ll be your thesis.
• Don’t overlook topic sentences. They’ll help you ensure every paragraph is dedicated to a single idea.
• Be specific and detail-oriented (yes, even in the outline). List the key sensations, images, or actions you’ll add to the text.
• Show, don’t tell. Instead of calling the place lively, describe what makes it lively (e.g., the movement of people).
• Go beyond basic description. Consider central symbols and metaphors, and add them to the outline as you write it.
• Jot down ideas on how to write. Already know that shorter sentences will help create a faster-paced narrative? Great! Write it down.
• Draft the outline as you see fit. You can worry about the correct punctuation or proper adjective use later. Your outline is just a blueprint, and you can organize it however you want.

In Closing

Yes, creating an outline for any paper means extra work. But think of it as an investment. Once you get to drafting your essay, that investment will pay off with a faster, less stressful writing process.

Besides speeding up the writing process down the road, creating an outline will help you stay on track and ensure that every paragraph and every sentence serves a purpose. That purpose, of course, is echoing the theme you mention in the introduction – and evoking the corresponding impression or mood.

Keep in mind that outlining is as much of a skill as drafting or editing. So, keep returning to our guide on how to write an outline for a descriptive essay to develop that skill in the long run.