Scribd
Upload
411 views3 pages

IGCSE Descriptive Writing Notes

Descriptive writing aims to create vivid imagery through sensory details, figurative language, and precise vocabulary. Key features include showing rather than telling, utilizing the five senses, and maintaining a clear structure. Common mistakes to avoid are overloading with adjectives, lack of organization, and using clichés.

Uploaded by

redmoonq2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
411 views3 pages

IGCSE Descriptive Writing Notes

Descriptive writing aims to create vivid imagery through sensory details, figurative language, and precise vocabulary. Key features include showing rather than telling, utilizing the five senses, and maintaining a clear structure. Common mistakes to avoid are overloading with adjectives, lack of organization, and using clichés.

Uploaded by

redmoonq2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

IGCSE Descriptive Writing Notes

Descriptive writing focuses on painting a vivid picture using sensory details, figurative
language, and precise vocabulary to create an immersive experience for the reader.

1. Key Features of Descriptive Writing


✅ Show, Don’t Tell – Instead of stating facts, use detailed descriptions.
✅ Use the Five Senses – Sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
✅ Use Figurative Language – Similes, metaphors, personification, etc.
✅ Vary Sentence Structure – Mix long, flowing sentences with short, impactful ones.
✅ Strong Word Choice – Use precise and vivid vocabulary.
✅ Use a Clear Structure – Organize descriptions logically (e.g., moving from broad to detailed).

2. Sensory Details – The Five Senses


 Sight 👀 – Colors, shapes, movement, brightness
Example: The golden sunset stretched across the horizon, casting a warm glow over the
rippling sea.
 Sound 👂 – Noises, voices, echoes, silence
Example: The leaves whispered as the wind wove through the trees, creating a soft
rustling melody.
 Smell 👃 – Fragrances, odors, freshness, staleness
Example: The air was thick with the scent of fresh rain, mixed with the earthy aroma of
damp soil.
 Taste 👅 – Sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy
Example: The warm chocolate melted on my tongue, its rich, velvety sweetness lingering
long after.
 Touch 🤲 – Temperature, texture, softness, roughness
Example: The smooth, cold surface of the marble table sent a shiver up my spine.

3. Figurative Language for Descriptive Writing


 Simile (Comparison using like or as)
Example: The sky was as dark as ink, scattered with shimmering stars.
 Metaphor (Direct comparison)
Example: His voice was a gentle melody in the silent night.
 Personification (Giving human qualities to non-human things)
Example: The trees danced in the breeze.
 Onomatopoeia (Words that imitate sounds)
Example: The leaves crunched under my boots.
 Alliteration (Repetition of the same sound)
Example: The silver sea shimmered softly under the starlit sky.

4. Structure of a Descriptive Essay


Introduction

 Set the scene and create a mood.


 Start with a powerful opening sentence.

🔹 Example Opening:
"The moment I stepped into the abandoned mansion, a chilling gust of wind embraced me,
carrying whispers of forgotten stories."

Main Body (Paragraphs 2-4)

 Describe in layers: Start with the most noticeable aspects, then zoom in on details.
 Use a logical order:
o Location (what the place looks like)
o Atmosphere (mood, feelings, emotions)
o Movement (things happening in the scene)

🔹 Example (Describing a Beach):


"The golden sand stretched endlessly, warm and inviting under the blazing afternoon sun. The
waves crashed rhythmically, their foamy fingers retreating only to return stronger. A salty
breeze filled the air, carrying the distant laughter of children splashing in the shallows."

Conclusion

 End with a lasting impression.


 Reflect on the mood or feeling created.

🔹 Example:
"As I walked away, the sunset painted the sky in shades of fire and gold, leaving behind a
memory as warm as the day itself."

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid


🚫 Overloading with adjectives – Choose quality over quantity.
🚫 Lack of organization – Follow a clear structure.
🚫 Telling instead of showing – Use sensory details and figurative language.
🚫 Using clichés – Be original in descriptions.
🚫 Ignoring the mood – Create an atmosphere, not just a list of details.

6. Sample Descriptive Writing Prompt & Response


Prompt:

Describe a bustling marketplace in the heart of a city.

Example Response:

The marketplace pulsed with life, a vibrant maze of colors, sounds, and scents. Stalls lined the
narrow streets, overflowing with exotic fruits, glistening spices, and handcrafted jewelry that
shimmered in the golden sunlight. The air was thick with the aroma of sizzling street food—
spiced kebabs roasting over open flames, the tangy scent of fresh citrus slicing through the
humid afternoon. Vendors shouted animatedly, their voices blending into a lively symphony of
bartering and laughter. Somewhere in the crowd, a child squealed with delight, clutching a sticky
ball of spun sugar as her mother tugged her through the endless stream of people.

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy