A Guide to Descriptive Writing

A woman sits in the corner of a small dark room, crumpled in a chair, her back hunched and her legs drawn up to her chest. She sits facing a desk crowded with papers and forgotten coffee cups. The sharp smell of Lysol and curdled coffee permeates the room, seeping into everything it touches. Dark coffee rings coalesce over coasters and ink-stained documents, long since forgotten. She types away at a computer, staring intently at the keyboard while the glaring white light of the computer screen sears into downcast eyes. She types, and types, and types. She hammers away at the backspace button before typing some more. The heavy clicks of an old keyboard fall on ears deafened by the monotonous sound. Finally, she releases the keyboard. The woman draws her hands back, veins pulsing through her pale hands, and looks up. The document reads, 

“A Guide to Descriptive Writing.”

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Writing is difficult—there is no doubt about that—but with some help, it can become easier with practice and time. Descriptive writing is a hallmark of prose; it allows the audience to immerse themselves in the world you create.

As the name suggests, descriptive writing also involves using subtle yet vivid language to describe a person, place, object, event, etc. It emphasizes the details and is used to immerse and familiarize the reader with the subject at hand. However, it can break your story if not done well.

There is a fine line between too much and not enough in descriptive writing. Use too much, and you will lose the reader; use too little, and the reader may not understand what is occurring in the narrative. This guide will discuss the purpose of descriptive writing, how to use this technique, and what to avoid. 

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Ways to Integrate Descriptive Writing

There are many ways to integrate descriptions into one’s writing, such as through dialogue, actions, etc. However, you must first establish what you are describing and determine why you are describing this particular subject at all. 

Identify the Subject

This may seem like an obvious point to make, but identifying the subject of your description can help you progress with your writing. Choose a focal point and build around it. 

Consider the Why for the Subject

Once you identify what you seek to describe, ask yourself why. You are directing your reader’s attention to the details you emphasize; why are these details important? What do they offer the reader? This is crucial in drawing the line between too much description and too little. 

Engage the Senses

A key factor of descriptive writing is the use of the five senses. Each sense is a vehicle for how we experience and interact with the world around us. When integrated into the written word, it can create a more immersive experience for your audience to engage in.

Think How Actions Speak Louder Than Words (Almost)

Actions are also a way to integrate descriptive writing. The actions a character takes can say a lot about them. Utilizing body language can be a simple way to convey thoughts and feelings without flat-out describing something as is—for example, show someone pacing the floor in anxiety, tapping their foot incessantly to show irritation, or rolling one’s eyes to convey boredom. Actions can be quite descriptive; they illustrate how people interact with their surroundings, becoming more meaningful than a simple description.

Work on Dialogue

A final method to integrate descriptions into a narrative is through dialogue. This can act as another vehicle to describe a specific subject, and you can also incorporate actions as mentioned above. When blending dialogue and descriptions, keep in mind that you’re writing within an active scene. Just because you now have characters conversing does not mean that everything in the background stops. If anything, you could integrate those ongoings into the dialogue. When there is dialogue, weaving in descriptions and actions can flesh out the dialogue between characters and the scene.

Overall, descriptions are a great and necessary evil in creative writing, and I hope you find this guide helpful regarding what to look out for. Most importantly, remember that these are only suggestions, and only you can decide what kind of writer you will be.

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About the Author: 

Sam Mayer is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she studies as an English major with minors in technical writing and film studies. She is currently studying for a certificate in Simulation and Game Development and working on a fantasy novel in order to apply to graduate school.