How to Write Descriptively

Writing descriptively helps the reader experience the subject. Some examples of descriptive writing include travel articles and advertisements. A descriptive essay provides a snapshot of a particular scene or a movie video of an event. A well-written descriptive narrative brings all of the senses alive–smell, touch, taste, sound and sight. Here are a few suggestions to help you on your way to writing descriptively.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Create a mood. Decide how you want your reader to feel about the article or story you are writing. Do you want to create a sad tone, or a suspenseful one? For instance, a travel piece should create a mood of expectation and excitement. You can create a mood of hunger or fear or joy by considering your audience and the type of writing you are attempting.

2. Choose a vantage point. Mentally place yourself in front of the scene you are describing. Use spatial order (moving through time) to take in the scene before you. Jot down everything you see, hear and smell.

3. Use figurative language. Figurative language compares one thing to another. Similes compare two things using the word ‘like’ or ‘as.' An example of a simile is, “The sun was as red as an apple.” A metaphor compares two things without using the words ‘like’ or ‘as.' An example of a metaphor is, “His eyes were rays of sunshine.” Using figurative language provides readers with a sensory image.

4. Use modifiers that pack a punch. Some examples: completely, definitely, oddly, especially, largely, notably, terribly and surprisingly. Keep away from boring modifiers like bad, good, really and very.

5. Try some vivid verbs. Instead of saying, “I walk over to the tree,” try a vivid verb, a verb that evokes a stronger image. “I shuffled over to the tree.” Do you see the mental image change with the use of ‘shuffled’ instead of ‘walk’?

6. Tie it all together by checking your organization. Have you followed a logical order? Do your paragraphs move through time, space, or in order of importance? It is important to keep to one method of organization. This will ensure that your essay is smooth and easy to read.

Tips & Warnings

• Have someone read your descriptive writing and ask her if she gets a mental picture of the scene you depicted in your writing.
• Write a descriptive scene without identifying where the place is, and then see if your reader can guess just from the description where you are writing about.

Resources

• Using Imagery
• Figurative Language
• Logical Order

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[harrietcat]

on 11/9/2008 This is some simple but essential advice for someone who needs to write a descriptive essay. I like how you've talked about mood and not just using interesting words. Words can be "interesting" but not really "fit" in an essay. I feel like you have described that clearly here.