Tab 1
What is descriptive writing?
Descriptive writing is writing that uses detailed language to describe a person, place, object,
event, or experience.
It appeals to the reader's five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
2. Features of Descriptive Writing
Sensory details (what can be seen, heard, smelled, tasted, and felt)
Figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification)
Powerful adjectives and adverbs
Precise vocabulary
Varied sentence structures
3. Example
Simple sentence:
The beach was beautiful.
Descriptive sentence:
Golden waves rolled gently onto the soft sand while the salty breeze danced through the air
and seagulls cried overhead.
The Five Senses Activity
Describe a market using the senses:
Sense
Example
Sight
Colourful stalls lined the crowded streets.
Sound
Vendors shouted loudly to attract customers.
Smell
The aroma of grilled meat filled the air.
Taste
Sweet fruit juice refreshed thirsty visitors.
Touch
The rough baskets scratched against my hands.
To write effectively, we use the five senses:
Sight – What can be seen? Sound – What can be heard? Smell – What can be smelled?
Taste – What can be tasted? Touch – What can be felt?
Universal Descriptive Writing Formula
For any scenario, teach learners to think:
Setting + Senses + Figurative Language + Emotion + Atmosphere
Suspense
The corridor stretched endlessly before me, swallowed by darkness. A single light flickered
overhead, casting long shadows that danced across the walls. Suddenly, a faint creak
echoed through the silence. I stopped. My heart hammered against my chest. Another creak
followed, louder this time. Someone—or something—was moving in the darkness. I strained
my ears, desperate to hear more, but the silence returned. Then a cold hand touched my
shoulder.
Bliss
The school grounds burst with life as music drifted through the warm afternoon air. Bright
decorations fluttered in the breeze, splashing colour across every corner of the field.
Laughter rang out from groups of friends, their smiles as radiant as the sunlight above. The
sweet aroma of freshly baked treats filled the air, and excitement seemed to sparkle in
everyone's eyes. For a moment, it felt as though the entire world was celebrating.
Fear
The forest seemed to close around me with every step. Twisted branches clawed at the night
sky while a thick mist curled around my feet. Somewhere in the distance, a branch snapped.
I froze. My breathing became shallow and my hands trembled uncontrollably. Every shadow
appeared to move. Every sound felt like a warning. The darkness was no longer around me;
it was watching me.
Different scenarios
Suspense / Mystery
Purpose: Keep the reader curious and tense.
Techniques
Unanswered questions
Short sentences
Strange noises
Delayed revelation
Foreshadowing
Character secrets
Sentence starters
"Something wasn't right..."
"A chill ran down my spine as..."
"The silence was suddenly broken by..."
"Little did I know..."
"Then I heard it."
2. Happiness / Celebration
Purpose: Create a joyful atmosphere.
Techniques
Bright imagery
Positive vocabulary
Lively sounds
Fast-paced descriptions
Words
Radiant
Jubilant
Cheerful
Vibrant
Exhilarating
Sentence starters
"Laughter filled the air..."
"The sun bathed everything in golden light..."
"Smiles spread across every face..."
3. Fear
Purpose: Make readers feel nervous.
Techniques
Dark imagery
Sudden sounds
Personification
Sensory details
Words
Terrifying
Menacing
Sinister
Uneasy
Dreadful
Sentence starters
"My heart pounded..."
"Every shadow seemed alive..."
"I felt a knot tighten in my stomach..."
4. Sadness
Purpose: Create sympathy and emotion.
Techniques
Slow pacing
Rain/weather symbolism
Reflective thoughts
Quiet atmosphere
Words
Gloomy
Melancholy
Heartbroken
Miserable
Desolate
Sentence starters
"The emptiness was overwhelming..."
"Tears blurred my vision..."
"The world suddenly felt colder..."
5. Busy City
Purpose: Show energy and movement.
Techniques
Sensory overload
Dynamic verbs
Crowded imagery
Words
Bustling
Chaotic
Vibrant
Hectic
Crowded
Sentence starters
"The streets buzzed with activity..."
"Cars surged forward..."
"Voices merged into a constant roar..."
6. Nature / Beautiful Landscape
Purpose: Create wonder and appreciation.
Techniques
Colour imagery
Similes
Personification
Sensory descriptions
Words
Majestic
Serene
Tranquil
Lush
Picturesque
Sentence starters
"The mountains stood proudly..."
"The river sparkled like diamonds..."
"A gentle breeze whispered through the trees…”