Good writers help you see, hear, smell, taste and feel a place. This is called describing with the five senses. It paints a picture in the reader's mind.
Why this matters: Describing well makes your writing come alive. Instead of just saying 'the market was nice', you can make the reader feel like they are really there.
The five senses
| Sense | Example |
|---|---|
| See | bright red apples |
| Hear | the buzz of busy voices |
| Smell | warm fresh bread |
| Taste | sweet, sticky dates |
| Touch | smooth, cool stones |
Adjectives add colour
An adjective is a describing word. It tells us more about a noun.
Plain: The cat sat on the mat.
Better: The fluffy ginger cat sat on the soft, warm mat.
Better: The fluffy ginger cat sat on the soft, warm mat.
Similes paint a picture
A simile compares one thing to another using as … as or like.
The snow was as white as milk.
Her smile was warm like the morning sun.
He was as busy as a bee at Eid.
Her smile was warm like the morning sun.
He was as busy as a bee at Eid.
When you describe, try to use one or two senses and a simile. Do not use too many, or your writing will feel crowded.