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DWTips

The document provides tips for effective descriptive writing, emphasizing the importance of original imagery, consistent tense usage, and sensory language. It advises against using dialogue and encourages a focus on body language and movement to create atmosphere. Additionally, it outlines steps for planning and executing a descriptive piece, including the use of figurative language and a structured approach.

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simran.m.bhogal
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7 views1 page

DWTips

The document provides tips for effective descriptive writing, emphasizing the importance of original imagery, consistent tense usage, and sensory language. It advises against using dialogue and encourages a focus on body language and movement to create atmosphere. Additionally, it outlines steps for planning and executing a descriptive piece, including the use of figurative language and a structured approach.

Uploaded by

simran.m.bhogal
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Tips

• Make sure you are not overly reliant on narrative to structure your response:
• This results in answers which have limited descriptive content
• Your description should be closely observed and focused in content:
• Try to make use of more striking and original images, rather than relying on
stereotypical ideas and images
• Ensure that all of the words you choose contribute to the overall atmosphere and effect you
want to create
• Do not confuse tenses in a paragraph:
• If you use a flashback, ensure you have written in the past tense
• If you use present tense verbs for effect, then ensure you do this consistently
• Do not use dialogue in a descriptive writing piece:
• Descriptive writing also does not provide background information or develop
character interaction
• When describing people, you should focus on their body language or movements
• Zoom in and out of the image you are creating as if you are behind a camera
• Include some movement to contrast and add interest
• Use sensory language to create a clear mood, but adjust the focus and perspective as your
paragraphs develop:
• Descriptive writing should include movement and sound, but the “narrator” should
be a silent observer
• Vary your sentence and paragraph lengths to keep the style and tone dynamic
• It is effective to repeat ideas related to colour:
• Consider picking out a key detail in order to do this, such as the colour of houses’
roofs
• Remember, this is not a story:
• You do not need to provide a “happy ending”

Steps to success
1. Read the two task options carefully:
• Decide which one you can best picture in your mind
2. Spend 10 minutes planning your writing:
• Use a mind-map or a table
• Use the “panoramic, zoom, single line, shift, shift, panoramic” six-step structure
3. Write down some reminders of figurative language or literary techniques to include to add
interest and detail:
• It might be helpful to jot down “sound and silence”, “movement and stillness” and
“light and dark” to prompt you
4. Write your description, sticking to your plan
5. Try to leave five minutes at the end to re-read your writing carefully, correcting any obvious
mistakes you have made.

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