Descriptive Writing
Descriptive writing is one of the most important skills a writer can have. It is used to create a vivid and engaging picture for the reader, using words to bring the scene to life. This can be used for any type of writing, from marketing materials to academic essays.
In this article, we will teach you the basics of descriptive writing. We will show you how to create a scene with strong imagery, and how to use specific details to make your writing more powerful. We will also provide tips and tricks for taking your writing skills to the next level.
What Is Descriptive Writing?
Descriptive writing is the art of painting a picture with words. The literary device involves using sensory details to create a vivid image in the mind of the reader. Descriptive writing allows the writer to bring a scene to life, making it feel like the reader is right there in the room.
If done effectively, descriptive writing can be spellbinding, transporting the reader to another place and time. It can also be evocative, stirring up strong emotions in the reader.
When to use Descriptive Writing
Use descriptive writing anywhere your writing can benefit from an immersive scene setting. Instead of going into detail about all the types of writing that can benefit from descriptive words, phrases and sentences, here is a type of writing where using descriptive writing is not appropriate:
- Technical writing
- Academic writing
- Professional emails and other correspondences.
Descriptive writing is used to evoke the reader’s senses. It is a perfect literary tool to use when communicating something that is not tangible and that is exactly why it is not appropriate to use when you are writing something that is more formal.
Use descriptive writing, when your goal is to make the reader relive something or to feel like they are standing in your shoes.
How to Write Descriptively
When writing descriptively, it is important to use sensory details. This means that you should use words that appeal to the senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. For example, you might write about the smell of roasting coffee beans or the feel of a cool breeze on your skin.
It is also important to be specific. Instead of writing “the sky was blue,” write “the sky was a deep blue with streaks of white clouds.” Be as descriptive as possible in order to evoke a strong sense of imagery in the reader’s mind.
Here are a few techniques that are commonly used in descriptive writing:
- Use of metaphors
- Use of similes
- Sensory writing
- Use of hyperbole
- Personification
- Onomatopoeia
Tips for Transforming Dull Sentences into Creative Ones
The first thing you need to do when writing descriptively is to decide what your writing topic will be. This way you will be more focused and will not stray from the theme or main idea of your writing.
To transform your dull, boring sentences into creative ones, you must think outside of the box. Spend some time thinking about your topic and what words you can use to make it more interesting. Consider broadening your vocabulary by incorporating terms and phrases related to the subject. Also, experiment with different sentence structures and lengths to create a more engaging flow. Finally, don’t forget to add some sensory details—those are an essential part of descriptive writing. Describing the sights, sounds, textures and smells of a scene can help to bring the words alive and make them more captivating for readers.
Descriptive Writing Examples
When it comes to descriptive writing, less is often more. Too often, writers try to cram in as many details as possible, resulting in a cluttered and confusing passage. When you are describing a person, place, or thing, it is best to focus on a few key details that will evoke the most vivid image in the reader’s mind.
For example, if you are describing a person, you might want to focus on their physical features, their clothing, or their demeanour. If you are describing a place, you might want to focus on the architecture, the landscapes, or the smells and sounds. And if you are describing a thing, you might want to focus on its shape, its colour, or its texture.
- “she ran her hands through his moppy hair. It shone like the sun and was freckled with bits of leaves that had collected there when he leapt into them.”
- “I could picture the smooth oval of Laura’s face, her neatly pinned chignon, the dress she would have been wearing: a shirtwaist with a small rounded collar, in a sober colour – navy blue or steel grey or hospital-corridor green. Penitential colours – less like something she’d chosen to put on than something she’d been locked up in.’ (The Blind Assassin, p. 4)
By focusing on these key details, you can create a vivid and memorable image for the reader.
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Descriptively
Remember that less is more as we have mentioned above. You don’t need to use ten words when one will do. Your goal should be to paint a vivid and detailed picture of your subject without going overboard.
It is also important that you remain focused on the subject of your writing. Make sure you are describing the right thing in detail; otherwise, you risk becoming confusing or even boring the reader. Additionally, avoid using overly flowery language in an attempt to sound impressive – this can actually detract from your writing, instead of adding value.
Where to find Descriptive Writing Tutoring?
Descriptive writing is a great way to make your writing more interesting and engaging. However, crafting a compelling piece of descriptive writing can be hard, especially if it is new to you. The key to becoming a pro at descriptive writing is to read multiple writing types and to practise, practise and practise. My Assignment Help can help you with the practice part with our Descriptive Writing Tutoring. Our tutors are experts when it comes to descriptive writing and are more than ready to share the secret with you all. So contact our tutors today and master the art of descriptive writing.
