Descriptive Writing: Conventions of the Form

Understanding the Purpose

Descriptive writing aims to create vivid mental pictures of places, people, or events.
It involves using language effectively to appeal to the senses and engage the reader’s imagination.
More than narrating an event, descriptive writing is about conveying emotions, atmosphere, and mood.

Descriptive writing often uses imagery or descriptive language to create a specific picture in the reader’s mind.
Similes and metaphors add depth and interest, creating unusual and striking visual comparisons.
Adjectives and adverbs are crucial, adding detail and specificity.
Sensory language evokes the five senses, giving the reader a more immersive experience.
Figures of speech may also be used, including personification, hyperbole, and symbolism.

Chronological order is not always essential in descriptive writing.
Spatial order or the arrangement of items or scenes in relation to each other can be used to guide the reader’s vision in a manner you want.
Topical organisation involves writing about one specific thing or group of things, then moving on to another.

Use the ‘show, don’t tell’ method: Instead of telling the reader what happened, use descriptive language to show it.
Create a strong opening paragraph to grab the attention of the reader.
Vary sentence lengths and structures to maintain reader interest.
The use of rhetorical questions can also engage readers, prompting them to think more deeply about the described subject.

Use vivid characterisation to make people in your writing come to life.
Create a strong sense of place or setting using specific and detail-oriented descriptions.
To add authenticity, consider incorporating elements of culture or historical context related to the described subject.