Descriptive Writing: Conventions of the Form

Descriptive writing aims to involve the reader by making the setting, characters and/or situations in a text seem real.
It often uses detailed visual imagery, capturing the scene or character in depth to draw the reader into the narrative.
The use of varied adjective and adverb choices is important to add detail to a description. Avoid common or vague words whenever possible.
Sentence structure plays a vital role in building the atmosphere and mood. Varied sentence lengths help to control pace and create a more engaging read.
The ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ rule is a golden rule in descriptive writing. Instead of telling the reader a person is angry, describe their actions, expressions, or dialogue to convey their anger.
Sensory descriptions incorporating touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight can make the writing more convincing and engaging.
Using figurative language like similes, metaphors, and personification can add a deeper layer of meaning and make the descriptions more vibrant.
Be aware that the tone of your piece should reflect the situation being described. A serious scene, for example, will have a different tone to a comedic one.
The use of precise nouns and strong verbs can help to create a more powerful impression. Avoid generic or weak verbs and nouns.
Using a cohesive series of events, scenes or descriptions can richly layer the narrative and create an engaging atmosphere for immersion.
Experimenting with different narrative perspectives, such as first person (‘I’), third person (‘he/she’) or even second person (‘you’), can change the feel of the descriptions and the connection with the reader.
Crafting effective descriptions often involves creating a perfect balance between sharing enough information to paint a vivid picture and avoiding overload, which can bore or confuse the reader.