 Descriptive writing is a style or technique of

writing used by the writer to help the reader

vividly visualize the story or situation, using
words, metaphors, adjectives, and other literary
techniques.
 This style of writing is useful when you want the
reader to imagine or picture the story or situation
you are writing about.
 The idea is to provide the reader with rich detail
for them to picture in their minds the characters,
settings, objects, emotions, and places or even
events taking place in real-time.
 Descriptive writing is a type of writing that uses
vivid details to create a mental image for the
reader. It is often used to describe people,
places, things, or events. Descriptive writing can
be used in a variety of genres, including fiction,
non-fiction, and poetry.

 The Purpose of Descriptive Writing

 The sole purpose of descriptive writing is to
describe something through their writing skills.
Unlike a short story or a report writing, this type
of writing provides a full picture of an
imaginative or real situation through writers’ pen
to the readers’ mind.
 Introduction: Grab the reader’s attention with a
strong opening sentence or phrase. Introduce the
topic of your description and provide some
general background information.
 Body: Use sensory details to describe your topic.
This means using language that appeals to the
five senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and
hearing. You can also use figurative language,
such as similes, metaphors, and personification,
to create a more vivid image for the reader.
 Conclusion: Summarize the main points of your
description and leave the reader with a lasting
impression.
 1. Five Senses Rule
 For any novice writer learning the ropes of descriptive
writing, the first rule is to appeal to all the five senses of
the reader.
 Using detail that attracts the five senses, sight, hearing,
taste, touch, and smell will surely set the tone right for a
good piece of descriptive writing.
 This kind of detail will make the writing more interesting
and engaging.

 Take a look at the example below:

 ‘The gentle warmth of the morning sun caressed my face,
the moist yet nostalgic fragrance of wet grass after all that
rain transported me back to my childhood.’
 Description or detail that is very normal and apparent
should be left out of writing as it takes up undue space.
 Using that space to fill your work with fresh new ideas or
words will make your writing more convincing.
 It will also give you more time and room to think of other
ways of making your writing interesting.

 For example:
 ‘The old garden was blooming with colorful flowers once
again.’
 We all know that flowers are colorful and that they grow in
gardens.
 Hence emphasizing this sentence with ‘colorful’ does not
add any new value.
 So, saying ‘The old garden was blooming with flowers
once again’ makes the same image in the readers’ mind as
it is.
 Techniques such as Personification, Similies, Hyperboles,
Onomatopoeia, and Metaphors are critical masterstrokes
that writers use.
 Not only do these enhance the language but also provide
richness to the writing.
 When you attribute a human quality or emotion to an
inanimate object that is called Personification.
 For example – ‘The chair squeaked as I started to rock it to
and fro..’

 Similies are basic comparison techniques that compare

one thing with another, using the words ‘as’ and ‘like’.
 For example- ‘The warrior was as brave and fearless as a
lion on the battlefield’.
 Hyperboles are the easiest out of the lot.
 They are used to exaggerate and create a
lasting impression on the reader.
 For example – ‘The army rained down their
arrows as the enemy approached the castle
walls’.

 Metaphors are used to compare a thing or

person to something else that has similar
qualities.
 For example – ‘In the morning there was a
blanket of snow covering the whole garden’.
 Lastly, Onomatopoeia is a very interesting technique
that assigns the sounds to what the words actually
mean.
 For example – ‘Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, poured the
rain on the roof of my treehouse’.
 Apart from the main techniques above, there are
some subtle yet powerful ones called Emotive
Language and Oxymorons.
 Emotive Language is a way of evoking a particular
emotional response in the reader.
 For example – ‘the innocent and infectious smiles of
the children filled the room with immeasurable
delight’.
 Additionally, Oxymorons are phrases that contain
two contradictory terms.
 For example- Julia hurriedly stuffed a piece of cake in
her mouth, and said,” this cake is awfully good Aunt
Rose”
 Sometimes, fresh and novel words or phrases stick with
readers.That is why descriptive writing is a constantly
evolving process.There is no one correct way of writing in
this style.If the readers connect with your words then you
know it’s right.
 That is why finding fresh ways to connect with the reader
is important.
 For Example
 It is very common to write ‘the gentle breeze touched my
face
 Try saying ‘a tender breath of fresh spring air caressed our
faces..’
 It is all about trying new words or adjectives and seeing
which ones best convey the feeling you are trying to write
about.
 Reading is a very easy yet sublime way to improve any type of
writing skill.
 It doesn’t matter whether the material is descriptive or narrative
in nature.
 What matters is that reading is a very subconscious way of
learning how to write well and descriptive writing is no
different. If you wish to succeed as a fine descriptive writer then,
the most natural way to do so is to read descriptive material
yourself.
 Reading and writing are a part and partial of our lives, we are
surrounded by language and words.
 The more we read, the more exposure we get to different writing
styles, new words, and phrases, or even new trends of writing.
 The mind absorbs several concepts, ideas, signs, words, and
detail subconsciously.
 The trick is to make reading a constant habit so that the
information being synced in can also translate through personal
skill and help you tell your story successfully.
 There are many types of descriptive writing.
When you know all the types, it will be easier
for you to realize in which way you should
begin your descriptive piece.

1. Biography
 A biography is a form of detailed work, tell
you about famous people’s life. A biography
may include many surprising facts and details
which you never heard.
2.Travel writing (Travel blogs)

 Travel writing allows the writer to portray skills

of descriptive writing in a great way. You have to
describe the beauty and uniqueness about the
places you visit. The writing must be done in
such a manner that your words takes readers to
that place.

3.Journal
 Many people form a journal. It is a daily record of
events or work you do. Journals also refer to
periodicals and newspapers that are published on
a daily basis. In Journal writing, you must give
details of important events to meetings in
extended form to make it informative.
 4. Poetry

 This is a form of writing that describes

feelings, emotions, and ideas. A poem is the
best form of descriptive writing when it
comes to expressions as they have the best
expressive power. A poet can make a dead
person alive through his/her expressive
writing skills and use of apt words in front of
his/her readers.
 Appealing to the Senses: Engage your readers by
incorporating sensory details. Describe not only
what things look like but also how they feel,
smell, sound, and even taste. This helps create a
vivid and immersive experience for the reader.
 Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of outright stating
facts, paint a picture through your words. Use
descriptive language to convey emotions,
actions, and settings. Allow readers to draw their
own conclusions based on the details you
provide.
 Utilize Strong Verbs and Adjectives: Choose
precise and powerful verbs and adjectives to
convey the exact meaning you intend. This adds
depth to your writing and makes it more
impactful.
 Create a Strong Mood: Consider the mood you
want to evoke and infuse your writing with
appropriate language. Whether it’s suspenseful,
nostalgic, or serene, your choice of words should
align with the emotional atmosphere you’re
aiming for.
 Employ Figurative Language: Metaphors, similes,
and other forms of figurative language can add
layers of meaning to your descriptions. They
create connections and comparisons that
enhance the reader’s understanding and
engagement.
 Use Varied Sentence Structures: Keep your
writing interesting by varying the length and
structure of your sentences. Mix short, punchy
sentences with longer, more complex ones to
maintain a dynamic flow.
 Focus on Specific Details: Rather than
overwhelming your readers with a barrage of
details, select the most important and evocative
elements. This allows readers to focus on what
truly matters and helps to avoid unnecessary
clutter.
 Consider the Setting’s Role: Treat the setting as a
character in your narrative. Explore how the
environment influences the events and characters
in your story. This adds depth and context to
your descriptions.

 Create Strong Imagery: Aim to create images
in the reader’s mind. Use words that paint
clear and vivid pictures, allowing readers to
easily visualize the scenes you are describing.

 Edit with a Critical Eye: After your initial

draft, review your writing critically. Trim
unnecessary words and phrases, ensuring
that every detail serves a purpose. Concise
and precise descriptions are often more
powerful.