Thread Academy

Descriptive Writing

Create vivid settings using the five senses and precise language.

  • Define and explain Descriptive Writing in your own words
  • Use key terms such as discourse marker accurately
  • Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
  • Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

This lesson focuses on Descriptive Writing: create vivid settings using the five senses and precise language.

Definition: Descriptive Writing

Create vivid settings using the five senses and precise language.

Key ideas

Show, don't just tell

In descriptive writing, she was sad tells; tears slid down her cheeks as she stared at the empty chair shows. Use the five senses — what can be seen, heard, smelled, touched and tasted — and choose precise nouns and verbs rather than piling on adjectives.

Plan every answer

Spend five minutes planning before writing a single sentence. For an essay, turn the question into three or four points; for a story, map the beginning, middle and end. A plan prevents rambling and guarantees you answer the actual question.

Key term — discourse marker: A connective that organises writing: however, furthermore, consequently, on the other hand. They guide the reader through your argument.

Worked example: Descriptive Writing

Name three of the five senses to use in descriptive writing.

Any three of: sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste.

Answer: Any three of: sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste.

Common mistakes
  • Writing everything you know about a text Only include points that answer the question. Irrelevant knowledge, however accurate, earns no marks.
  • Repeating the same discourse marker Vary however, furthermore and in contrast. Repeating also in every paragraph makes writing sound immature.

Practice

Why should you plan before writing an essay?
Think about the question.

To organise your points and make sure you answer the actual question.

What does the final D in PEED stand for?
Beyond explanation.

Develop.

Which is stronger: the room was scary or shadows crawled across the walls?
Show, don't tell.

Shadows crawled across the walls — it shows the fear through imagery.

What is a thesis?
It appears in the introduction.

The central argument of an essay, which every paragraph supports.

Quick check

Descriptive Writing — quick check

Which of these best defines "discourse marker"?

A connective that organises writing: however, furthermore, consequently, on the other hand. They guide the reader through your argument.

Give a discourse marker that contrasts two ideas.

Any one of: however, on the other hand, in contrast.
Key takeaways
  • Descriptive Writing: create vivid settings using the five senses and precise language.
  • Show, don't just tell: In descriptive writing, she was sad tells; tears slid down her cheeks as she stared at the empty chair shows.
  • tone: The attitude your writing conveys — formal, personal, angry, humorous.
  • Watch out for: writing everything you know about a text
← Essay ParagraphsWriting to Argue →Back to Grade 10 chaptersRelated resources →