Travel Writing: Form

Travel Writing: Form

Travel Writing: Purpose & Form

• The key function of travel writing is to inform and entertain, but it can also persuade or advise the reader about certain places or experiences.
• Travel writing uses a mix of narrative, descriptive, and expository styles. It often incorporates storytelling, vivid descriptions, and factual information about a location.
• It is essential to adopt a personal tone in travel writing. It often includes first-person narratives that share personal experiences, feelings, and reflections.
• Travel writing can cover broad topics, from detailed exploration of a locale to cultural insights, food experiences, encounters with locals or personal adventures.

Travel Writing: Perspective

• Emphasizing the writer’s experience and perspective is crucial in travel writing. The reader should get a sense of the writer’s interactions with the environment and its people.
• The writer’s observations can provide a subjective flavour to the narrative, establishing a more personalised and engaging connection with the reader.

Travel Writing: Content

• Factual accuracy is vital even amidst creative writing. All mentions of geographical locations, cultural practices, local customs, etc. should be accurate.
• Presenting the cultural context is crucial. Include details that give insights into the culture, history, and nuances of the visited place.
• Including personal anecdotes can make the account more engaging and relatable to the reader. It may include unique experiences or interactions during the journey.
• The use of sensory details is essential to bring the story to life. Talk about the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and tactile experiences encountered.

Travel Writing: Structure

• Like any essay, travel writing generally follows a beginning-middle-end structure.
• The start or introduction could include an engaging hook – why did you choose to travel there, what intrigued you about the place?
• The main body could discuss specific experiences, offering vivid descriptions and sharing personal impressions.
• The conclusion could reflect on the journey, offering thoughts and feelings about the travel experience or what the writer has gained from it.

Remember, the aim of travel writing is to transport the reader to that place and give them a taste of the experience you had. The best travel writing often leaves the reader desiring to explore the place for themselves.