1. Sample Essay 1
A descriptive essay about a person or event aims to express the writer's feelings about a subject (which can be a person, event, etc.).
Requirements for this type of essay:
- The emotions in the essay should be genuine and clear.
- The first-person perspective should be used to share feelings.
- Include both description and narration to enhance the emotional expression.
- The essay should be divided into three parts:
Introduction: introduce the subject and convey general emotions about it.
Body: express specific, deep feelings and thoughts about the subject. For essays about a person, the writer should reflect on the person's characteristics, personality, and memories associated with them.
Conclusion: reaffirm the feelings towards the subject and reflect on the personal significance.
* Guide for analyzing text type:
Text: Reflection on the New Year's Eve Celebration in My Hometown
Question 1 (page 91, Literature 7 Textbook): The text expresses emotions about the New Year's Eve celebration in the writer's hometown.
Question 2 (page 92, Literature 7 Textbook): The introduction to the event is: 'Time fades many things, but it cannot erase the special memory I have of celebrating Tet in Can Tho – my father's birthplace, the place that holds so many fond memories.'
The sentence reflecting the writer's emotions about the event is: 'The bustling city, yet I feel deeply attached to my homeland.'
Question 3 (page 92, Literature 7 Textbook): The writer's emotions:
- Sentimental, deeply moved, and stirred.
- Feelings of peace, tranquility, and embracing the arrival of spring.
Elements used: Self-narration combined with description to explain feelings, enriching the writing with vivid imagery, sincerity, and appeal that resonates with the reader.
Question 4 (page 92, Literature 7 Textbook): The writer expresses their nostalgia for the New Year's Eve celebration in Can Tho.
Question 5 (page 92, Literature 7 Textbook): From this text, you can draw lessons on writing a descriptive essay about an event:
- The emotions must be sincere, clear, and simple.
- Use the first-person perspective to share feelings.
- Combine description and narration to support emotional expression.
- The essay should include three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion.
* Writing process guide
Topic: Sample Essay Reference:
Now I am a seventh grader at my beloved middle school, but I still remember my first day of school vividly.
It was a beautiful autumn morning. The sky was high and clear. My mother took me to school on our old bicycle. Today, I would attend my first opening ceremony. The familiar school road felt different to me today, filled with excitement and anticipation. Finally, the gates of my primary school appeared before me. I was surprised at how the school looked today. Older students were joyfully entering the school. My mother led me to the first-grade seating area. Parents whispered to their children around me. Our homeroom teacher guided us to our seats. She looked beautiful in her graceful áo dài. Her smile made me feel warm. The ceremony was conducted with great solemnity. I felt happy and proud to be a first-grade student. The principal’s speech marked the end of the ceremony. The sound of the drum symbolized the arrival of the new school year.

2. Sample essay number 2
1. Orientation
a) This lesson continues the practice of writing expressive essays about a person or an event, which was introduced in Lesson 3 (7th Grade Literature, Volume 1). However, this lesson focuses on writing about an event.
Refer to the excerpt about General Võ Nguyên Giáp during the event of his passing, 'returning to the motherland Quảng Bình'.
b. To write an expressive essay about an event, you should pay attention to the following:
- Identify the event you want to write about.
- Provide a brief introduction to the event.
- Express your feelings, emotions, and attitudes toward the person or event: joy, sadness, respect, anger, sympathy, admiration, praise, criticism, etc.
- Outline the structure for your essay.
- Write the essay following a coherent outline.

3. Sample Assignment 3
1. Orientation
- Writing an expressive essay about a person or an event involves conveying the writer's feelings, emotions, thoughts, and attitudes toward a specific person or event in life or literature.
- To write an expressive essay, consider the following:
- Identify the object of expression.
- Reflect and answer the question: What emotions, feelings, thoughts, and lessons does this person or event evoke for you?
- Create an outline for your essay.
- Write the essay according to a logical outline.
2. Practice
Exercise: Write an expressive essay about a person or event you are fond of from the excerpt “The Octopus” (Verne) you studied.
a) Preparation
- Review the comprehension of the excerpt from “The Octopus.”
- Identify the character or event you will write about in the expressive essay.
b) Brainstorming and Outline Creation
Brainstorm for your essay by asking and answering the following questions:
- Who or what from “The Octopus” made the most impression on you?
- What emotions or feelings does this character or event evoke?
- What thoughts or lessons does it inspire?
Create an outline by arranging the ideas into three sections:
- Introduction: Introduce the character or event from “The Octopus” you will express your thoughts about.
- Body: Gradually express emotions and thoughts from general to specific examples.
- Conclusion: Reaffirm your impression, feelings, and thoughts about the person or event discussed in the essay.
c) Writing the Essay
d) Review and Revise
Sample Essay
The character that most impressed me from the excerpt of “The Octopus” from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne is Captain Nemo, who combines both physical and mental strength.
Captain Nemo in the excerpt from “The Octopus” appears as a person willing to fight the octopuses. In other words, he is decisive and courageous. He was ready to battle the octopuses with an axe, severing their tentacles. When Ned Land was struck down by an octopus, Professor Aronnax rushed to help him, but Nemo arrived first. Nemo’s axe blade was driven into the monster’s mouth, saving Ned by a hair’s breadth. From this detail, we can see the strength and agility of Captain Nemo. Only with physical strength could Nemo dare fight these “monsters” and act so swiftly.
Nemo not only possesses physical strength but also demonstrates mental strength. Why does he fight the octopuses? It's not just because the octopuses hinder the Nautilus; it's also because of the people aboard the ship. If he didn’t fight the octopuses, there would be no chance to save the sailor or Ned Land. Nemo’s cutting off the tentacles and his axe striking the monster’s mouth show both his physical power and his fury at the creatures that threatened his crew. In other words, it illustrates the human connection and the affection of those who care for each other. I was most struck by the moment when Captain Nemo’s eyes welled up with tears as he thought of “the sea that swallowed one of his fellow countrymen.” It was a powerful expression of one human’s compassion for another, a leader’s sorrow for his crewmates. What struck me was that he didn’t weep loudly or over-dramatize it. Instead, he just “shed tears,” his emotions rising to a breaking point without any attempt to show or express them. This detail illustrates Nemo’s inner beauty.
Captain Nemo’s courage, decisiveness, and humanity left me with deep admiration. He also taught me about the strength of both the body and the spirit. Nemo helped me understand the importance of physical and mental training.

