Descriptive essay

[onetwothree]

My instructor wants us to write an essay describing a place. And she emphasized that we must not use the word "I" or "me" or anything like that.
I'm really confused! Is it really true that "I", "me", etc are not allowed in formal writing? How should I write this essay?

By the way, could you tell what the word "Display Department" means?

Thank you.

[pyoung]

My instructor wants us to write an essay describing a place. And she emphasized that we must not use the word "I" or "me" or anything like that.
I'm really confused! Is it really true that "I", "me", etc are not allowed in formal writing? How should I write this essay?

By the way, could you tell what the word "Display Department" means?

Thank you.

Dear onetwothree:

'I' and 'me' are allowed in formal writing. However, your instructor is looking for a piece of descriptive writing in which there is no narrator present.
If, for example, you choose to write about a beach that you love to visit, you will simply use sensory (sight, sound, smell, tactile) language to describe it rather than telling about 'My Day at the Beach.'
So, instead of saying, 'I felt a gentle breeze,' or, 'We loved to watch the shadows of the beach grasses lengthening as the sun came up over the cliff,' you will say something like: At daybreak, a gentle breeze began to stir the leaves. The sun, appearing over the cliff, caused the beach grass to cast slender shadows.'

I hope this is helpful,

Petra

PS: Without any context, I cannot help you with the words 'Display Department.'

[onetwothree]

Oh, so it means I should just describe it like "To the left side is ...In the middle is somethng ... blah blah blah ... " ?


Display Department is like something I saw in a store. SO I guess it could mean a place where things are displayed... Am I right?

[pyoung]

Oh, so it means I should just describe it like "To the left side is ...In the middle is somethng ... blah blah blah ... " ?


Display Department is like something I saw in a store. SO I guess it could mean a place where things are displayed... Am I right?

Dear onetwothree:

Yes, you should describe, but be sure to use sensory language that allows your reader to develop a feel for the scene you are writing about. Color, temperature, sound, texture words will make your writing far more interesting.
I have never heard of a Display Department in a store, unless the words were written on a door which led to the workshops of the people who create the displays of merchandise.

Best wishes,

Petra