Descriptive Text

Definition

A descriptive text is a text which lists the characteristics of something.

Purposes

Description is used in all forms of writing to create a vivid impression of a person, place, object or event e.g. to:

· describe a special place and explain why it is special

· describe the most important person in your life

· describe the animal's habitat in your report

Descriptive writing is usually used to help a writer develop an aspect of their work, eg. to create a particular mood, atmosphere or describe a place so that the reader can create vivid pictures of characters, places, objects etc.

Features

· The topic is usually about the attributes of a thing.

· Third person pronoun forms are used.

Language

· aims to show rather than tell the reader what something/someone is like

· Relies on precisely chosen vocabulary with carefully chosen adjectives and adverbs.

· Focused and concentrated only on the aspects that add something to the main purpose of the description.

· Sensory description - what is heard, seen, smelt, felt, tasted. Precise use of adjectives, similes, metaphors to create images/pictures in the mind e.g. Their noses were met with the acrid smell of rotting flesh.

· Strong development of the experience that "puts the reader there" focuses on key details, powerful verbs and precise nouns.