Descriptive Writing: Conventions of the Form

Understanding the Form

Descriptive writing aims to paint a vivid picture allowing the reader to imagine being in the scene.
The prime focus is on the five senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Use these to make the reader feel as though they are experiencing the scene firsthand.
Rich sensory details create a tangible and believable world for the reader.
Utilise figurative language like metaphors, similes, and personification to add both intrigue and depth.

Use strong adjectives, verbs and adverbs to illustrate your description. Instead of saying “the car moved quickly,” you might say “the sports car darted swiftly down the street.”
Vary sentence structures to ensure your writing remains intriguing to the reader. Use a mix of complex and simple sentences, varying the opening words for effect.
Make use of a thesaurus to diversify your vocabulary, but be careful to only use words you understand fully; misused vocabulary can confuse the reader.

Describe the setting in detail, making use of the five senses to paint a vivid picture. Describe the appearance, atmosphere, sounds, smells and feel of the location.
Indicate the time of day and weather subtly, incorporating them naturally into the description so as not to disrupt the flow of the narrative.
Character descriptions should convey their physical appearance, but also hint at their personality and emotions. Rather than stating these explicitly, illustrate them through their actions, choices and dialogues.
Body language is just as revealing as physical description. Gestures, facial expressions, and postures can relate the mood and convey hidden messages.

The use of descriptive techniques such as metaphors, similes, and onomatopoeia contribute greatly to creating a certain mood or atmosphere.
Be cautious with word choice. Each word carries an emotional load and could affect the tone and mood of the piece. Pick words that reinforce the mood you want to project.
Show don’t tell. Instead of saying “it was a creepy place”, say “the trees cast long, gnarled shadows that danced eerily in the moonlight”.

Proofread your writing multiple times to catch any spelling, punctuation, or grammar errors.
Seek external feedback. Someone who is not involved in your writing might spot elements that are unclear or redundant.
Step away from your writing for a little while before proofreading - this will give you fresh eyes and make it easier to spot mistakes.