Five Exercises To Strengthen Your Descriptive Writing

Understanding Descriptive Writing.

Descriptive writing is pretty self-explanatory. Its main purpose is to describe, whether that be a person, place, event, object, etc. These types of exercises are designed to encourage the writer to focus on the finer details of a ‘thing’, and use their words to describe it in a beautifully, almost poetic diction. Using such in-depth descriptions in your writing can be rewarding for your reader and it allows us, as writers to subtly set the tone via the words we choose.

Description is not only found in fiction though. Poets, journalists, observational writers, nature writers, and numerous others also use description in their work. That’s why it’s vital for all writers to learn its finer nuances and devote some serious time into practicing it.

The basic idea is to create an image that the reader can picture in their mind, allowing for a more immersive and enjoyable experience. If your story takes place in a number of empty rooms filled with one dimensional characters, the reader will struggle to build a connection. However, the same can be said about adding too much description. If your prose is overly cluttered with minor, insignificant details, you will not only steal the readers intrigue by describing every aspect yourself and leaving nothing to the imagination, but you run the risk of overshadowing the overall story that you wish to convey.

So, let’s get started.

The Exercises

• Write about an event that happened in your life.

Pick a past event from your memory. It can be anything you can think of, and once you have a clear choice, write about it. However, don’t just recount the memory, write it as if it’s being written for a novel. Focus in on the finer details and use all five senses to set the scene. Adding emotions as you write will build depth. How did you feel as the event took place? Did it change you, and if so, how? If you pour your heart into this particular exercise, you will have a piece of writing that a reader (if you choose one) can immerse themselves in visually and emotionally allowing for a far greater connection.

• Describe your surroundings.

This one is pretty straight forward and is designed to train your writers eye. By that I mean the ability to notice the finer details that you would usually overlook. Wherever your sat, look around the room. Observe the way that light hits each surface. Are there scuff marks on the wall? Does the door need repainting? How do the shadows cascade across the floor?

The next step is to write it down. However, instead of writing ‘the light shines in through the window’, go into more depth. For example; ‘Dusk’s setting sun glares through the crooked blinds, disturbing the tranquility of darkness.’

Once you’ve done this, try moving to a different room, sitting in the garden, or a coffee shop. The places you can describe are endless, but in doing so, the more you do this exercise, the more natural your descriptions will become.

• Describing a scene.

Think of a place, either real or imaginary, and map it out in your mind. When you have a clear vision of it, write about it with as much detail as possible. Including the five senses will add a real sense of depth. The idea behind this exercise is to develop your descriptive skills without the need to be looking directly at what it is your trying to convey.

• Character description.

You can try this with an imaginary character you have created, but the best thing to do if you’re looking to practice is to take a photo of somebody you don’t know and describe their features, their posture, and how others view them. Go as in depth as possible. Once you’ve described their appearance, you can begin to attach attributes to them. How do they react to stress? What are their vices? Are they in love? Build the character to a point of realism. You won’t necessarily use every point you’ve made in a story, but knowing this information will allow you to write a believable character.

• Painting a picture.

The first thing to do is to find a photo, whether it be of an animal, an object, or a plant. Now, without using its name, go into as much detail as possible to describe it. Once you’ve written it, give it to somebody else and see if they can work out what it is. The better you get at this, the more obvious the object of your writing should become to your reader. Doing this can really add cohesive flair to your writing.

For more exercises on narrative, persuasive, and expository writing, click the individual links.