Writing a Description
- Descriptive writing includes sensory details that paint a picture for the reader. (How did it look, sound, feel, smell or taste?) It may also detail the feelings the person, place or thing invokes in the writer.
- Descriptive writing often makes use of figurative language such as analogies, similes and metaphors to help paint the picture in the reader's mind.
- Descriptive writing uses precise, subject appropriate language. Simple, non-specific adjectives, nouns, and passive verbs are not appropriate in good descriptive writing. Use subject specific adjectives, nouns and strong action verbs to give the reader an accurate picture in their mind.
- Good descriptive writing is well organized and follows a logical sequence. Effective ways to organize descriptive writing include:
- Narrative form - time (when did it happen - year, month, day, season, time of day, past/present/future), location (where did it happen - park, school, space, under the sea), why did it happen (describe the scenario that lead to a story being told).
- When describing a person, begin with a physical description, followed by how that person thinks, feels and acts.
- Objects - think about what the object looks like (colour, shape, size, texture, component materials), how it works, what it does, when it is used, why it is needed/not needed)
- Places - think of a picture in your head and use words to let the reader see what you can see.