Travel Writing: Form

Travel Writing: Form

Understanding the Format of Travel Writing

Genre Specific Features

• Travel writing has an element of narrative and describes travel experiences, events, and ideas in an engaging manner.
• It often includes descriptive language to create vivid pictures of the place and experiences.
• It can take many forms such as blogs, articles, guidebooks, or diaries. Each form dictates its own tone, style, structure, and content.

Structuring the Writing Piece

• A clear introduction with a hook to draw the readers can set a tone for the piece.
• Body paragraphs should present insights, experiences, and descriptions systematically.
• A conclusion can leave the reader with a final thought that encapsulates the central idea or an emotional pay-off.

Crafting Content in Travel Writing

Creating Interest

• Make the writing piece appealing by sharing unique experiences or presenting general observations from a fresh perspective.
• Use storytelling techniques, such as tension, conflict, and resolution, even within the non-fictional genre of travel writing.

Descriptive Detail

• Use sensory details to make the writing vivid and bring the travel experience alive for readers, encouraging them to see, smell, hear, taste, and touch the travelling place.
• Select specific facts and figures such as historical data, cultural nuances to present an authentic picture of the location.

Personal and Universal Balance

• While travel writing often includes personal perspectives, it’s essential to balance this with universal appeal – observations and insights that a wide range of readers might find interesting or relatable.
• Reflect on the cultural, social, and environmental impacts of travel to provide depth and richness to the piece.

Employing the Right Writing Techniques

Language and Tone

• The language should be clear, engaging, and descriptive.
• The tone might be formal or informal depending on the chosen form of travel writing and the target audience.

Imagery and Metaphors

• Employ imagery and metaphors to enhance the description and the overall narrative of the travel experience.

Active Voice

• Use active voice to make your writing more immediate and dynamic. For instance, “I trekked through the dense, misty forest” is more engaging than “The dense, misty forest was trekked through by me.”

Use of First Person

• Because travel writing often includes personal experiences and reflections, it is typically written in the first person (“I”). However, the focal point should remain on the travel experience and not just on the writer.