Descriptive Writing - Language Notes
Descriptive Writing is a form of writing that demands that the content of an article, story etc, are fully described. This is achieved through the use of tools, literary devices, that allow the reader to appreciate what is written through the five senses. Therefore an individual, when reading a descriptive piece, needs to be able to visualize (see), hear, smell, feel and taste what is happening.
A. Here is an example of a descriptive piece that does NOT use literary devices:
Q. Describe a person's reaction to being bullied.
Brandon walked down the road. He was whistling, and then suddenly stopped. He saw Lucas, his nemisis. He could feel the sweat on his shirt. Lucas had taken his lunch money yesterday. The sky seemed to go black and he could smell his own fear. His mouth suddenly tasted terrible and he could hear his heartbeat.
Leisa Samuels-Thomas
The lack of literary devices makes this piece very lackluster. It does not allow the reader to feel interested in what Alex is feeling, or curious about what is about to happen to him when he encounters Lucas.
B. Here is an example of a descriptive piece that USES literary devices:
Q: Describe a person's reaction to being bullied.
Alex breathed a happy sigh as he expelled a breath, and out popped a happy tune, some silly little song that he and his cousin, Abigail, had made up on the drive home one evening with Aunty Kim. His fingers curled around his cell phone as he leisurely pulled it from his pocket, and up to his ear. It was then that his eyes connected with Lucas'. He felt a single droplet of perspiration slide slowly down the small of his back. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention, like soldiers at a Tattoo, while his heart's drumming drowned out every sound in the universe. Lucas cracked a toothy grin that did not reach his eyes, and Alex's mouth went as dry as the Sahara. Alex's shadow vanished as the sky darkened, then turned to a steely grey, as if in response to the dread in his heart.
Leisa Samuels-Thomas
The inclusion of literary devices in this piece, on the other hand, holds the readers' interest. They are interested in Alex's response to Lucas, and cannot wait to see what will happen when they meet.
TIPS:
1. Read the question carefully.
2. Ensure that what is written is related to the question that is given.
3. Use as many literary devices as possible.
4. Use a variety of different literary devices.
Contributor: L. Samuels-Thomas
BACK LITERARY DEVICES
A. Here is an example of a descriptive piece that does NOT use literary devices:
Q. Describe a person's reaction to being bullied.
Brandon walked down the road. He was whistling, and then suddenly stopped. He saw Lucas, his nemisis. He could feel the sweat on his shirt. Lucas had taken his lunch money yesterday. The sky seemed to go black and he could smell his own fear. His mouth suddenly tasted terrible and he could hear his heartbeat.
Leisa Samuels-Thomas
The lack of literary devices makes this piece very lackluster. It does not allow the reader to feel interested in what Alex is feeling, or curious about what is about to happen to him when he encounters Lucas.
B. Here is an example of a descriptive piece that USES literary devices:
Q: Describe a person's reaction to being bullied.
Alex breathed a happy sigh as he expelled a breath, and out popped a happy tune, some silly little song that he and his cousin, Abigail, had made up on the drive home one evening with Aunty Kim. His fingers curled around his cell phone as he leisurely pulled it from his pocket, and up to his ear. It was then that his eyes connected with Lucas'. He felt a single droplet of perspiration slide slowly down the small of his back. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention, like soldiers at a Tattoo, while his heart's drumming drowned out every sound in the universe. Lucas cracked a toothy grin that did not reach his eyes, and Alex's mouth went as dry as the Sahara. Alex's shadow vanished as the sky darkened, then turned to a steely grey, as if in response to the dread in his heart.
Leisa Samuels-Thomas
The inclusion of literary devices in this piece, on the other hand, holds the readers' interest. They are interested in Alex's response to Lucas, and cannot wait to see what will happen when they meet.
TIPS:
1. Read the question carefully.
2. Ensure that what is written is related to the question that is given.
3. Use as many literary devices as possible.
4. Use a variety of different literary devices.
Contributor: L. Samuels-Thomas
BACK LITERARY DEVICES
