Writing Mini Lessons

Sensory Language Sensory Language appeals to the 5 senses: sight, sound, taste, smell, touch. Authors use sensory language to make their writing vivid. In some selections, an author may focus on only one or two senses. In other selections, an author may appeal to as many of the senses as possible.

You may have heard someone say, "Write about your feelings You may have heard someone say, "Write about your feelings." While that is good advice, it may not be an easy task for every individual. A less threatening place to start might be with the senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Using the senses is an excellent strategy for descriptive writing. 

There are 5 senses so write about all 5 SOUND - Imagine that you were surfing when a storm blew in. The waves crashed in around you as you tried desperately to get back to shore. You couldn't see anything. All you could hear was the roar of the waves. Describe that sound to someone who has never been surfing. SIGHT - Describe a sunset to a blind man.   

SMELL - You are lying in bed on Saturday morning when you awaken to the aroma of coffee percolating and bacon frying. The phone rings and you begin to tell your friend about the smells of breakfast cooking.  TASTE - You and your sister decide to concoct a new smoothie. You mix all the drinks in the refrigerator into you’re a blender. Then you add strawberries, bananas, tomatoes, and last night's leftover meatloaf. Last, you throw in a raw egg, a cup of milk, and some ice. As the blender crushes the mixture into a drink, you and your sister / brother / friend argue over who will have to taste it first. You lose. Describe the taste of that first swallow.  

TOUCH - Ever touch a baby's skin, a puppy, kitten etc TOUCH - Ever touch a baby's skin, a puppy, kitten etc.? Describe how it feels. Can you compare it to your own skin. How is it different? TASTE - You and your sister decide to concoct a new smoothie. You mix all the drinks in the refrigerator into you’re a blender. Then you add strawberries, bananas, tomatoes, and last night's leftover meatloaf. Last, you throw in a raw egg, a cup of milk, and some ice. As the blender crushes the mixture into a drink, you and your sister / brother / friend argue over who will have to taste it first. You lose. Describe the taste of that first swallow.