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Descriptive Writing

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Simon Drury
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96 views

Descriptive Writing

Uploaded by

Simon Drury
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Descriptive Writing: How to Get Full Marks

Section B requires you to write for a specific purpose and in a specific form. It is important
that you write in the correct format and use the conventions of this form, as the mark scheme
states that you should adapt your tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and
audiences.
This means:
 The tone (the sound of the narrator’s “voice”) is appropriate and convincing
 The register (your vocabulary and phrasing) is suitable for the purpose
 The style of the writing (the sentence structure and the overall structure of your
writing) is dynamic and engaging
When planning your response, it is a good idea to keep the tone, style and register in mind, as
well as the conventions of the form. As with any extended piece of writing, planning is vital.
You should spend 10 minutes mind-mapping your ideas before you start writing. Here, we will
consider how you can produce an effective piece of descriptive writing in the following
sections:
 How to structure your descriptive writing
 Descriptive writing techniques
 Steps to success
How to structure your descriptive writing
Descriptive writing is observational writing. This means that the narrator does not interact
with their surroundings, or other characters. In fact, no characters are crafted. Descriptive
writing is like imagining you are behind the lens of a camera, describing a “snap-shot” of a
moment. However, this does not mean the scene you are describing is static; it is important to
note the movements and action you “witness”.
Below is a suggested step-by-step structure for a piece of descriptive writing, including the
techniques to use during each of the six steps:

Stage Details of descriptive writing structure

Panorami  Broadly describe the scene


Step 1
c  Introduce the time and atmosphere

 Focus your lens on one segment of the “image”


Step 2 Zoom
 Choose smaller, less obvious details

Single
Step 3  Emphasise the key feeling of your description in one line
line

 Focus your lens on another segment of the “image”


Step 4 Shift  If you started in the foreground, then move to something in
the background

 Now move your lens to a final segment of the “image”, or


Step 5 Shift
suggest something that is just “off camera”
Panorami  Zoom out again to look at the scene from a new perspective
Step 6
c  How has it changed? Time? Atmosphere? Mood?

Remember, you can include action or movement in your description, but this should not
involve any story progression or interaction. Any action should only cover a short period of
“real time”, such as the wind blowing a basket over. Something seemingly inconsequential
could move in the background, which is especially effective if you contrast this with things
that remain still.
Your paragraphs should be appropriately linked, but should vary in terms of size and structure.
Variety and accuracy are key; you are bringing a scene to life for your reader, so they should
be able to picture it, hear it, even smell it!
Exam Tip
Remember, this is an extended written response. Therefore, the most effective answers will
demonstrate a well-planned answer which has considered what details are the most
interesting to the reader and the most effective way to order the writing.
Descriptive writing techniques
Tone
Descriptive writing should craft a tone of voice in keeping with the mood of the scene. This
means your sentences should reflect the atmosphere. For example, if the scene is mysterious
and frightening, your sentences should reflect this suspenseful mood.
In order to craft a tone in keeping with the mood of your description, consider how you can
use sentence lengths and types:
 Short sentences reflect tension and unease, e.g. “No sound could be heard.”
 Longer sentences and listing can create a sense of being overwhelmed, or of
abundance, e.g. “The market was laden with apples, grapes, oranges, loaves of bread,
chunks of cheese and every type of vegetable one could imagine.”
Style and register
The style of your descriptive writing is closely related to the language you use. For example,
the best descriptive writing responses show evidence of careful word choices and the
deliberate but judicious use of linguistic techniques.
Descriptive writing helps the reader to visualise the person, place, or situation being
described. Your word choice and linguistic techniques should conjure a vivid, sensory
impression in the reader’s mind.
The best way to do this is to:
 Use vocabulary which is useful to the reader:
o For example, describing something as “brilliant” or “amazing” is not descriptive

o Be specific and ambitious in your choice of adjectives

 Use sensory language to bring the scene to life:


o Focus not just on what can be seen, but also what can be heard, smelled or felt

 Emphasise key ideas or impressions using language techniques and imagery:


o For example, you could use a simile to create associations about size or colour

o Personification is a useful technique when describing weather or objects


 Ensure you describe the important details:
o For example, you do not need to describe every inch of a person or scene bit by
bi; instead, focus on key features
When considering the detail you should include in your description, it is useful to consider the
types of things that bring a scene to life. These things are normally rooted in contrast. For
example:

 Noise contributes to the reality of a scene:


o Chatter, background noise, the weather or nearby wildlife all
Sound and bring the scene to life
silence
 Using moments of silence can also be effective:
o A momentary lull, or a really purposeful moment of quiet

 Some things may move:


o This could be the main focus of your writing, or something in
the background
o It could be human, animal or object - use personification

o Powerful verbs and adverbs can create dynamic movement in a


Movement and piece of writing
stillness
o For example: “The swarming, struggling crowd.”

 Other things will remain still:


o Try to focus on things that resist being moved, or whose
stillness is in contrast with the movement of something
o Avoid cliches such as “still as a statue”

 There will be sources of light, so describe them:


o But also describe the way the light hits other things in your
description

Light and dark  Where there’s light, there’s also darkness:


o Consider what shadows are cast or where the light does not
reach
o Who, or what, is left in the darkness?

Exam Tip
Keep using sensory language throughout, but adjust the focus and perspective as your
paragraphs develop. Make sure that you include description of movement and description of
sound to effectively craft a mood.
Let’s consider the following example of an opening paragraph of a piece of descriptive writing:
Steps to success
1. Read the two task options carefully:
o Decide which one you can best picture in your mind

2. Spend 10 minutes planning your writing:


o Use a mind-map or a table

o Use the “panoramic, zoom, single line, shift, shift, panoramic” six-step structure

3. Write down some reminders of figurative language or literary techniques to include to


add interest and detail:
o It might be helpful to jot down “sound and silence”, “movement and stillness”
and “light and dark” to prompt you
4. Write your description, sticking to your plan
5. Try to leave five minutes at the end to re-read your writing carefully, correcting any
obvious mistakes you have made

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