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Descriptive Writing

Using the five senses, figurative language and varied sentence structures to create vivid descriptions.

1

What is Descriptive Writing?

Descriptive writing creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. In the 11+ exam, you may be asked to describe a scene, a place or a moment. The best descriptions use all five senses and a range of literary techniques.

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Step-by-Step Method

1

Use all five senses

Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Most students only use sight – using other senses makes your writing stand out.

2

Use figurative language

Include similes, metaphors and personification to make descriptions more interesting and original.

3

Vary your sentence length

Short sentences for impact and drama. Longer sentences for flowing descriptions.

4

Show, don’t tell

Instead of “it was cold”, write “frost clung to the window pane and her breath formed clouds in the air”.

5

Choose precise vocabulary

Use specific words instead of vague ones. “Crimson” instead of “red”. “Sprinted” instead of “ran fast”.

3

Worked Examples

Example 1 – Five Senses

Describe a market scene using all five senses.

Working

  1. Sight: colourful fruit piled high on wooden stalls.
  2. Sound: traders calling out prices, chatter of the crowd.
  3. Smell: fresh bread and roasting coffee.
  4. Touch: the rough hessian sacks, the cool smoothness of the apples.
  5. Taste: the sharp sweetness of a sample strawberry.
Answer: Colourful fruit was piled high on the wooden stalls while traders called out their prices above the chatter of the crowd. The smell of fresh bread mingled with roasting coffee. I ran my hand over the rough hessian sacks and picked up a cool, smooth apple. A trader offered a sample strawberry – sharp and sweet on my tongue.
Example 2 – Show Don’t Tell

Rewrite “The man was angry” to SHOW the emotion instead.

Working

  1. Think: what does an angry person DO? How do they look? Sound?
  2. Use physical actions and descriptions instead of the word “angry”.
Answer: The man’s jaw clenched. He slammed his fist on the table, sending papers scattering across the floor. His voice dropped to a low growl.
Example 3 – Varied Sentences

Write three sentences about a storm, varying the length.

Working

  1. Short for impact. Medium for description. Long for atmosphere.
Answer: Lightning split the sky. Rain hammered against the windows like a thousand tiny fists. The old house creaked and groaned under the force of the wind, as though it might collapse at any moment, and somewhere in the darkness a shutter banged rhythmically against the wall.
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Common Mistakes

Common error

Only describing what things look like, ignoring the other four senses.

Correct approach

Challenge yourself to include at least three different senses in every description.

Common error

Overusing adjectives (“the big, beautiful, amazing, wonderful sunset”).

Correct approach

Choose one or two powerful adjectives rather than listing many weak ones.

Common error

Every sentence starting the same way (e.g. “The… The… The…”).

Correct approach

Vary your openings: start with a verb, a sound, a question, or an adverb.

Common error

Telling the reader how to feel instead of letting the description create the feeling.

Correct approach

Let the details speak for themselves. “Show, don’t tell.”

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Top Tips

  • Before writing, close your eyes and imagine the scene. What can you see, hear, smell, feel and taste?
  • Use specific details rather than general statements. “A crumbling Victorian terrace” is better than “an old house”.
  • Read your work aloud – if it sounds monotonous, vary your sentence lengths.
  • Keep a “word bank” of powerful verbs and adjectives that you can use in exams.

Ready to practise?

Put these techniques into action with our free practice papers.

Practise English Questions

Other English Techniques

Story Writing

Using description in stories.

Language Techniques

Literary devices for your writing.

Vocabulary in Context

Choosing precise words.
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