Mini Lesson: Descriptive Writing
When a friend approaches me for advice, I can't help but want to help. So in this case, this is the little guideline I could come up with on the subject of descriptive writing. What can I say? I'm a writing dork! haha~
Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert on the subject and this is only to be used as a guideline. To quote Miss Khalia, "Honestly, the way we all make words flow is our unique writing voice. That can be influenced, but not taught." (Had to use it. It's so beautifully true.)
Guidelines or Suggestions
- Imagine the scene in your mind as if you were watching a movie and describe everything you "see".
- Add variation to your sentence structure. Avoid starting off each sentence the same way.
- Remember the 5 W's and H - who, what, when, where, why and how.
- Always edit your work. (Very important!)
Scenario
- Misaki is sent to examine the last known location of a wanted contractor.
Basic Writing Style (By my standards.)
Misaki made her way towards the warehouse which was ZL-904's last reported location. The building was quiet as it was late evening and all people in the area had returned home. She approached the warehouse from the main entrance, but when she tried to open it, the door was locked. It shouldn't have been surprising since it was the norm to lock it down once everyone was gone. So how had he entered the building?
She decided to make her way around the perimeter of the building. Though there were no reports of forced entry, it was possible that it had been missed by the workers' untrained eyes. The other explanation was that it related to his power. They were unable to confirm what his ability was.
As she walked around the building, she scanned the building section by section. She started from the top of the building, slowly examining the two-story high building. None of the windows showed any signs of use as each of them were tightly shut. Also, they were too small for a grown man to fit through.
Sentence Structure Breakdown
This is where it's important to remember the 5 W's and H.
1) "Misaki made her way towards the warehouse which was ZL-904's last reported location."
Who - Misaki
What - checking out the building
When - what time was it?
Where - the warehouse - what was it like?
Why - last known location of ZL-904
How - was she excited? scared? cautious?
Cautiously, Misaki approached the large warehouse which was the last reported location of ZL-904.
2) "The building was quiet as it was late evening and all people in the area had returned home."
Who - N/A
What - The building
When - late evening
Where - N/A
Why - quiet because everyone was gone
How - N/A
Since it was already late evening and everyone had returned home, the building was eerily quiet and dark.
3) "She approached the warehouse from the main entrance, but when she tried to open it, the door was locked."
Who - Misaki
What - approach the entrance and try to get inside
When - N/A
Where - main entrance
Why - checking the door
How - her style of approach? way to open the door?
With determined steps, she approached the warehouse from the main entrance, but when she tried to gain entry, it was to find the door locked.
- Try to think of the answer to all 6 questions for each sentence. There may not be an answer in all cases, but incorporate what answers you do have.
- Add variation to sentence structure by answering the questions in various order.
- Not every single sentence has to be complex. Using the occasion simple sentence can add even more variation and can help give certain emphasis.
1) (Who -> What -> How -> Why)
Misaki approached the large warehouse cautiously, which was the last reported location of ZL-904.
2) (How -> Who -> What -> Why)
Cautiously, Misaki approached the large warehouse which was the last reported location of ZL-904.
3) (Why -> Who -> How -> What)
Since it was the last reported location of ZL-904, Misaki cautiously approached the large warehouse.
Descriptive Writing Style (an example)
Cautiously, Misaki approached the large warehouse which was the last reported location of ZL-904. Since it was already late evening and everyone had returned home, the building was eerily quiet and dark. With determined steps, she approached the warehouse from the main entrance, but when she tried to gain entry, it was to find the door locked. It shouldn't have been surprising since it was the norm to lock it down once everyone was gone. So how had he entered the building?
She decided to make her way around the perimeter of the building. In the report, there was no evidence of forced entry, but it was possible that the signs had been missed by the workers' untrained eyes. Another possibility was that it related to his power because they had been unable to confirm what it was.
As she slowly walked around the building, her eyes scanned the building section by section. Her gaze started at the top of the two-story building, slowly examining every detail. All the windows were tightly shut and showed no sign of use as the streetlight did not reflect properly off of them. Not to mention, the tiny windows were too small for a grown man to fit through.
Editing
- Always, always edit your work!
- Just as you should avoid repeating the same sentence structure, you should avoid using the same words over and over.
- The thesaurus is your best friend. Just make sure you only use words where you truly understand the meaning.
In the above example, I used the word "approach" and "building" two or three times within a 3-paragraph section. As a result, I would try to find a different way to describe the same thing.
approach - come closer to, draw closer to, make way to, etc.
building - structure, warehouse, etc.
To test the flow of a sentence while editing, try reading out loud. If you stumble while reading it, it probably doesn't flow smoothly. It also helps because it's easy for your eyes to glaze over what's truly there because you already know what you are trying to say. (Yes, I seriously do that.)
*****
How's that? Was that even remotely helpful? I know the example is somewhat lame since I struggle with writing something random. Also, writing style is something that is influenced with time and practice. Obviously, it's "my style" above, but it's not at the same time, because it doesn't have the same mm... "Passion" as something in one of my stories - something I truly have a vision of.
Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert on the subject and this is only to be used as a guideline. To quote Miss Khalia, "Honestly, the way we all make words flow is our unique writing voice. That can be influenced, but not taught." (Had to use it. It's so beautifully true.)
Guidelines or Suggestions
- Imagine the scene in your mind as if you were watching a movie and describe everything you "see".
- Add variation to your sentence structure. Avoid starting off each sentence the same way.
- Remember the 5 W's and H - who, what, when, where, why and how.
- Always edit your work. (Very important!)
Scenario
- Misaki is sent to examine the last known location of a wanted contractor.
Basic Writing Style (By my standards.)
Misaki made her way towards the warehouse which was ZL-904's last reported location. The building was quiet as it was late evening and all people in the area had returned home. She approached the warehouse from the main entrance, but when she tried to open it, the door was locked. It shouldn't have been surprising since it was the norm to lock it down once everyone was gone. So how had he entered the building?
She decided to make her way around the perimeter of the building. Though there were no reports of forced entry, it was possible that it had been missed by the workers' untrained eyes. The other explanation was that it related to his power. They were unable to confirm what his ability was.
As she walked around the building, she scanned the building section by section. She started from the top of the building, slowly examining the two-story high building. None of the windows showed any signs of use as each of them were tightly shut. Also, they were too small for a grown man to fit through.
Sentence Structure Breakdown
This is where it's important to remember the 5 W's and H.
1) "Misaki made her way towards the warehouse which was ZL-904's last reported location."
Who - Misaki
What - checking out the building
When - what time was it?
Where - the warehouse - what was it like?
Why - last known location of ZL-904
How - was she excited? scared? cautious?
Cautiously, Misaki approached the large warehouse which was the last reported location of ZL-904.
2) "The building was quiet as it was late evening and all people in the area had returned home."
Who - N/A
What - The building
When - late evening
Where - N/A
Why - quiet because everyone was gone
How - N/A
Since it was already late evening and everyone had returned home, the building was eerily quiet and dark.
3) "She approached the warehouse from the main entrance, but when she tried to open it, the door was locked."
Who - Misaki
What - approach the entrance and try to get inside
When - N/A
Where - main entrance
Why - checking the door
How - her style of approach? way to open the door?
With determined steps, she approached the warehouse from the main entrance, but when she tried to gain entry, it was to find the door locked.
- Try to think of the answer to all 6 questions for each sentence. There may not be an answer in all cases, but incorporate what answers you do have.
- Add variation to sentence structure by answering the questions in various order.
- Not every single sentence has to be complex. Using the occasion simple sentence can add even more variation and can help give certain emphasis.
1) (Who -> What -> How -> Why)
Misaki approached the large warehouse cautiously, which was the last reported location of ZL-904.
2) (How -> Who -> What -> Why)
Cautiously, Misaki approached the large warehouse which was the last reported location of ZL-904.
3) (Why -> Who -> How -> What)
Since it was the last reported location of ZL-904, Misaki cautiously approached the large warehouse.
Descriptive Writing Style (an example)
Cautiously, Misaki approached the large warehouse which was the last reported location of ZL-904. Since it was already late evening and everyone had returned home, the building was eerily quiet and dark. With determined steps, she approached the warehouse from the main entrance, but when she tried to gain entry, it was to find the door locked. It shouldn't have been surprising since it was the norm to lock it down once everyone was gone. So how had he entered the building?
She decided to make her way around the perimeter of the building. In the report, there was no evidence of forced entry, but it was possible that the signs had been missed by the workers' untrained eyes. Another possibility was that it related to his power because they had been unable to confirm what it was.
As she slowly walked around the building, her eyes scanned the building section by section. Her gaze started at the top of the two-story building, slowly examining every detail. All the windows were tightly shut and showed no sign of use as the streetlight did not reflect properly off of them. Not to mention, the tiny windows were too small for a grown man to fit through.
Editing
- Always, always edit your work!
- Just as you should avoid repeating the same sentence structure, you should avoid using the same words over and over.
- The thesaurus is your best friend. Just make sure you only use words where you truly understand the meaning.
In the above example, I used the word "approach" and "building" two or three times within a 3-paragraph section. As a result, I would try to find a different way to describe the same thing.
approach - come closer to, draw closer to, make way to, etc.
building - structure, warehouse, etc.
To test the flow of a sentence while editing, try reading out loud. If you stumble while reading it, it probably doesn't flow smoothly. It also helps because it's easy for your eyes to glaze over what's truly there because you already know what you are trying to say. (Yes, I seriously do that.)
*****
How's that? Was that even remotely helpful? I know the example is somewhat lame since I struggle with writing something random. Also, writing style is something that is influenced with time and practice. Obviously, it's "my style" above, but it's not at the same time, because it doesn't have the same mm... "Passion" as something in one of my stories - something I truly have a vision of.