Questions
1. How different is descriptive writing from narrative writing?
2. How does the maxim “Show, don’t tell” explain how one writes descriptively.
Illustrate with your own example.
3. How do you as a writer make your language descriptive? How do you add depth and
texture to a piece of writing?
4. Other than one word modifiers, what other modifiers maybe employed in descriptive
writing?
Answers:
1.Descriptive writing is different in narrative writing in many ways.First,the aim of descriptive writing is to make a description which appeals to the senses while the aim of narrative writing is to recount events,tell a story or to explain a process.Second,they differ in the way they are written.
Generally,they differ in their structure and the way it is presented.
2.It means that you dont have to say so many things but you just need to make a dominant impression to the reader.
example:
She looks gorgeous with his red cocktail dress matched with her red high heeled sandals.
From the example above,the dominant impression that we want to create is that "The girl looks beautiful."
3.I can make my language descriptive by using the figures of speech.We can add depth and texture to writing by:
1.Ditch the Mundane
Don’t use bland descriptions such as the dog was brown or her hair was dark blonde. Introduce depth and texture by saying the Labrador was the shade of melted chocolate or her hair was the color of caramel fudge.
2.Use Unusual Similes
A simile is a comparison of two unlike things, typically marked by use of "like", "as" or "than.” Look for unusual comparisons such as: Her hair hung like grey cobwebs. He was as thin as an icicle melting in the sun. The parrot was more colorful than the Mardi Gras.
3.Use Unusual Metaphors
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else: The dog was a shaggy carpet. The woman was a plump raisin, wrinkled and dark. The bookshelf was a sentinel, guarding the doorway.
4.Don’t use Clichés
Clichés are words or expressions that have lost their freshness and originality through continual use. They are easy to recognize and should be avoided at all cost. Look out for things like brown as a berry, hot as hell and busy as a bee.
5.Cut Unnecessary Words
A word that can often be cut is “that”. Read the story out loud and see what else can be cut without losing the effect. Below is an example of some sentences before and after cutting.
6.Avoid Adverbs
An adverb is a word which modifies a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. Editors hate them. They are easy to recognize as they normally end in ly.
7.Involve the Senses
Use descriptions that stir all five senses:
Touch – The material felt like liquid silk against her skin.
Sight – The sea was a mixture of turquoise and jade, sprinkled with diamonds.
Smell – The pungent aroma of curry permeated the restaurant.
Taste – The lemon juice soured her tongue.
Hearing – The sounds of the harp cascaded over her ears like ripples of water.
4.Aside from one word modifiers,we can also employ the following in descriptive writing:
Noun phrases
Adjective phrases
Prepositional phrases
Verb phrases
Relative clauses
