DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

WHAT IS DESCRIPTIVE WRITING? The moon with its wisps of white light hung suspended in the frosty air over the still, quiet countryside. He could see in all directions, from the majestic outcrop of mountains to the vast ocean on the other. WOW!! The reader can certainly SEE the moon and the countryside. Notice the images of color and shape. Descriptive writing focuses on observation and paints pictures with words.

HERE’S ANOTHER EXAMPLE: In a large box out in the garage, surrounded by gumboots, shovels and old paint tins, is a scene of joy. The happy mother lies on a tatty red and yellow blanket, her litter at her belly. She licks them, and looks up with watchful brown eyes when we bend over to see. The tiny puppies, blind and almost hairless, scramble over one another, searching for their mother. What brings this scene to life? Write down the words that help the reader visualize this scene.

Word Power Descriptive writing is writing with flair. It means using words so that they paint a picture for the reader, but doing so in ways that often surprise the reader. Here are some of the tools available to you:

Similes Comparisons using the words “like” or “as” ( simile) The surface of the moon is like crumpled sandpaper I felt as nervous as a fish out of water As clear as crystal

Metaphors Comparisons minus cue words My tears were a river I died with embarrassment Her heart was on fire He hit the wall of exhaustion

Adjectives Words which describe or modify nouns The tall, thin man entered the spooky room with measured steps. Inside the room deep shadows crouched in wait for him.

Adverbs Words which describe or modify verbs The jets dived steeply out of the sky, tumbling rapidly as they maneauvered gracefully past each other.

Interesting verbs It is worthwhile taking the time to think about the verb for the situation you are trying to bring to life. Often a carefully chosen verb can transform a so-so passage into something quite different. He ran. He jogged. He fled. He sprinted away. He stormed off.

TASK Rewrite the following passage, changing each verb to a more interesting one. You might like to check your thesaurus, but be careful of your choice of words: The teacher waved at the coach to stop the game. However the coach was interested in the play and didn’t do as suggested. Surprised by this response, the teacher took the opportunity to yell out, ‘STOP!’

CHARACTER, PLACE AND ACTION The best descriptions have a focus. They aren’t just lists of everything in the scene thrown together. Try concentrating on character – bring it to life!

Their jeans brushed the polished floor, scuffed running shoes squeaking in unison as the two teenagers crossed the crowded space from the music shop to the food court. One of them, her hair -jagged tufts of red and green, smirked at the looks of disbelief the pointy stud in her bottom lip drew. The other, eyes narrowed and searching, curled his lip in a silent snarl, reached deep into the pockets of his black coat and pulled out a crumpled shopping list. The girl walked with a swagger that suggested she was not to be crossed. Her eyes were pin-points, and her nostrils flared with disdain at what she saw around her: losers. Everyone round her was a loser, and nothing would change that.