Sensory Details
What are the five senses used in descriptive writing?
Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.
Rewrite “She was scared” using descriptive details.
Example—“Her hands trembled as she clutched the doorknob, her breath quick and shallow.”
What is it called when an author compares two things using “like” or “as”?
Simile
What is one reason writers use description?
To engage readers, set the mood, or create vivid imagery.
What is one strategy for analyzing description in a text?
Look for sensory details, figurative language, emotional impact, or symbolism.
Which sense is being used? “The warm, buttery popcorn melted on my tongue.”
Taste
Why is "show, don’t tell" important in descriptive writing?
It makes writing more engaging and immersive for the reader.
Identify the figurative language: “The wind howled through the trees.”
Personification.
How can description contribute to the tone of a piece?
It helps establish emotions like joy, sadness, suspense, or nostalgia.
In Once More to the Lake, what does the lake symbolize?
The illusion of timelessness and nostalgia.
Revise this sentence to include sensory details: “The cake was good.”
Example—“The rich, chocolate cake was soft and moist, with creamy frosting that melted on my tongue.”
What kind of description tells the reader exactly what is happening without engaging their imagination?
Telling.
Create a metaphor describing a storm.
Example—"The storm was an angry beast, clawing at the rooftops with its howling winds."
What is the main purpose of E.B. White’s use of description in Once More to the Lake?
To evoke nostalgia and explore the passage of time.
What does a descriptive thesis statement include?
A clear argument supported by vivid imagery or sensory details.
What is the term for writing that appeals to the senses to create vivid imagery?
Descriptive language
Rewrite “The beach was relaxing” using sensory details.
Example—“Waves lapped gently at the shore as the salty breeze brushed against my skin.”
Rewrite “She was as fast as a cheetah” using a metaphor instead of a simile.
Example—"She was a cheetah, sprinting effortlessly across the track."
How can descriptive writing improve persuasive essays?
It makes arguments more relatable and emotionally compelling
Identify one-way description helps in storytelling.
It creates atmosphere, develops characters, or builds tension.
Give an example of a description using two senses in one sentence.
Any sentence combining two senses, e.g., "The crackling fire filled the room with the comforting scent of burning pinewood."
Name a famous author who uses descriptive writing effectively.
Examples—E.B. White
How does figurative language enhance description?
It adds creativity, depth, and emotion to writing.
How does description differ in fiction vs. nonfiction writing?
Fiction often uses descriptive language for world-building and character development, while nonfiction uses it to enhance real-life experiences or arguments.
Describe how contrast in description can be used effectively.
It highlights differences, such as past vs. present or beauty vs. decay, to emphasize themes.