"DON'T TELL ME THE OLD LADY SCREAMED.
DRAG HER IN HERE AND LET
HER SCREAM!"
Mark Twain
SIX STRATEGIES TOWARD BETTER DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
1. USE MODIFIERS -- ADJECTIVES
AND ADVERBS
* use adverbs to make actions more vivid and accurate
* use adjectives to describe nouns in detail
The car drove down the street.
The red corvette raced
carelessly down the narrow, cobblestone street.
2. BE SPECIFIC
* include exact details to help the reader visualize
* avoid weak words such as "said",
"went" and "got"
* use proper nouns to create specific images
"Safeway" may be
better than "the store".
3. USE STRONG ACTION VERBS.
* avoid making statements: “There was a huge explosion.”
Try action verbs instead. “The
plane exploded.”
4. USE ALL FIVE OF YOUR SENSES
* don't just describe what you see, tell your readers
what you smell, feel, taste and hear
5. USE COMPARISONS
The storm roared like a raging
lion. (Simile)
Happiness is sunshine inside
you. (Metaphor)
The wind whistled a merry
tune. (Personification)
6. INTRODUCE THE UNUSUAL -- BE BIZARRE
* make your writing stand out from the crowd's by
including unusual and original details
* be creative
