Descriptive Writing: Reader

Understanding Your Reader

Remember your audience is the examiner. Make sure your piece is easy to read, understand and appreciate.
Aim to connect with the reader emotionally as well as intellectually. The reader should be engaged and moved by your writing.
Think about what the reader knows at the start of the description, and how this changes as the piece progresses.

Balance familiar settings or characters with something unexpected or unusual to intrigue the reader.
Aim to create vivid visuals which the reader can imagine easily. This immerses them in your world and encourages them to continue reading.
Think of each paragraph as a mini-story, with its own beginning, middle and end. This keeps the reader hooked from one section to the next.

Try to expand your vocabulary. This allows you to express yourself more effectively and impresses the reader.
Pay attention to the connotations of words. This often helps add depth to your description.
Avoiding clichés and well-worn phrases helps ensure your writing is original and interesting. However, sometimes an apt cliché can get your point across succinctly if used sparingly.

Aim to suggest, rather than spell out, the morale or theme of your description. The reader should be able to figure it out from your hints.
Let the reader draw their own conclusions from the actions of your characters or the changes in your settings. Provide the necessary details, but avoid dictating their reactions.
Give the reader an opportunity to infer information rather than supplying everything explicitly. This helps the reader feel more involved with the piece.