A description is a composition that uses words and phrases to paint a vivid picture in the reader's imagination. In order for the reader, who has never seen your picture, to understand what you are trying to tell him, it is important to use several poetic devices in your description.
Imagery, appealing to the readers senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, is a crucial part of description. Vivid imagery should make up the bulk of your description. you want to avoid any slang, idiom, or overused words. Use a thesaurus to find new and exiting words. Anything wordy or vague, without specifics, will not paint a picture in the reader's mind; it will confuse it.
One of the best ways to describe something is to compare it to something else. Metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and personification and all tools to achieve this. It may also be helpful to describe the place or object you choose with a list of words. For example sand is: brown, tan, gold, shiny, grainy, rough, sticky, hard and soft, and annoying. Each of the words you list can then be found in a thesaurus giving you hundreds of appropriate words to choose from. If you want your description to be a success, use your knowledge of these devices to show the reader your picture.
One of the most common mistakes in description is to slip into narration. This is easily avoided by making sure to avoid certain words. Words like: you, I, their, we, us, you, and yours should be avoided. Never include characters or dialogue in your description. In addition, it is important to remain in present tense, in the here and now, when writing a description so that the reader feels as if they are experiencing your scene as they read it.
Many authors consider description the most difficult form of writing. It is an attempt to communicate from your imagination to someone else's. Your description must be vary detailed and specific to achieve this. You can start with something as simple as the title. Your title should let the reader know what they are about to read, or foreshadow, what is to be described. Try using a metaphor or something clever. For example, do not title a description of a campsite, The Campsite. Title it Home Away from Home or The Dark Canopy.
Following the entire writing process is essential in descriptive writing. The prewriting stage is especially important. Your brainstorming will become the most significant step. It is helpful to draw a picture, view a photograph, or simply list words that will paint a picture in the reader's mind. This helps you get away from narration. Next, you should start to organize your thoughts. Use an outline or a chart. When you begin writing select an appropriate voice, remember your audience (the ignorant reader), choose colorful, vivid words, and vary your sentence structure (every sentence cannot be a metaphor -- The grass is as green as limes. The sky is as blue as the ocean. The wind is like a tornado = boring!) Describe something you would enjoy reading about. If it bores you, it will probably bore everyone. You are your own best critic!
Imagery, appealing to the readers senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, is a crucial part of description. Vivid imagery should make up the bulk of your description. you want to avoid any slang, idiom, or overused words. Use a thesaurus to find new and exiting words. Anything wordy or vague, without specifics, will not paint a picture in the reader's mind; it will confuse it.
One of the best ways to describe something is to compare it to something else. Metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and personification and all tools to achieve this. It may also be helpful to describe the place or object you choose with a list of words. For example sand is: brown, tan, gold, shiny, grainy, rough, sticky, hard and soft, and annoying. Each of the words you list can then be found in a thesaurus giving you hundreds of appropriate words to choose from. If you want your description to be a success, use your knowledge of these devices to show the reader your picture.
One of the most common mistakes in description is to slip into narration. This is easily avoided by making sure to avoid certain words. Words like: you, I, their, we, us, you, and yours should be avoided. Never include characters or dialogue in your description. In addition, it is important to remain in present tense, in the here and now, when writing a description so that the reader feels as if they are experiencing your scene as they read it.
Many authors consider description the most difficult form of writing. It is an attempt to communicate from your imagination to someone else's. Your description must be vary detailed and specific to achieve this. You can start with something as simple as the title. Your title should let the reader know what they are about to read, or foreshadow, what is to be described. Try using a metaphor or something clever. For example, do not title a description of a campsite, The Campsite. Title it Home Away from Home or The Dark Canopy.
Following the entire writing process is essential in descriptive writing. The prewriting stage is especially important. Your brainstorming will become the most significant step. It is helpful to draw a picture, view a photograph, or simply list words that will paint a picture in the reader's mind. This helps you get away from narration. Next, you should start to organize your thoughts. Use an outline or a chart. When you begin writing select an appropriate voice, remember your audience (the ignorant reader), choose colorful, vivid words, and vary your sentence structure (every sentence cannot be a metaphor -- The grass is as green as limes. The sky is as blue as the ocean. The wind is like a tornado = boring!) Describe something you would enjoy reading about. If it bores you, it will probably bore everyone. You are your own best critic!