Master's Reading and Writing, Descriptive Essay

 

Master’s Reading and Writing: Descriptive Essay

An Old Cabin

One of the things I enjoy most is entering an old wooden cabin in the woods.  These are the kind of cabins people often use for camping.  When you enter one, the door makes a creaking sound as you pull it open.  As you enter, your feet make a large thumping sound as you walk along the floor.  This reminds you of how empty the place.  If the cabin hasn’t been used for a while, you can see little particles of dust floating around in the air.  Whether it is sunny or rainy outside, the interior is dark and the only light you see are what slants through the window.  The cabin often has a musty smell of old wood that has been around for a long time.

 In spite of this, I feel incredibly relaxed here.  Perhaps it is the serenity of the surrounding nature.  In the woods outside, you can hear the chirping of the birds in all directions.  If you are near a stream or creek, you may even get the trickling sound of flowing water.  These type of cabins are located in places completely isolated from humanity, one of the reasons we seek them out.

Or maybe the relaxation I feel is more to do with nostalgia.  It reminds me of old vacations with the family.  Perhaps we spent summer evenings in a cabin like this.  I can still recall the excitement of being outside, away from the comfort of my bedroom for a night or two.  There is something heartwarming about this. 

Regardless of what makes me enjoy visiting an old cabin in the woods, it is something I seek to do when I wish to escape the daily hassle of life in the “civilized world.”

Other Examples:

A dominant impression: The main idea the writer is trying to describe

*I know a person.  His hair is all over the place and never combed.  He doesn’t tuck his shirt in.  He stains all over it.  (messy person) 

*I know another person.  His hair is always neatly combed and shiny.  He wears very nice, clean pants and shirts.  (neat person)

*When I went outside, the cars whooshed by on the street.  I could hear the sounds of the motors whirring as they passed.  A woman was hollering at someone on her phone.  The mild temperature warmed me up, and I felt I didn’t need my jacket.