Improve your Descriptive Writing | EasyTeaching

Learn how to improve your descriptive writing. The four component of effective descriptive writing are explained: paying attention to details, using descriptive language, including multiple senses, and organisation.

[norawang]

When I stepped out onto the old wooden dock, a breathtaking sight, more beautiful than any painting, lay before me. The first rays of the rising sun were shyly peeking out from behind the horizon. The ocean was stagnant, an indigo sheet of glass glittering in the morning light. I inhaled deeply and the salty fragrance of the sea filled me. I would never have been able to experience this back in the city, surrounded by the incessant beep beeping of cars and the unpleasant smell of gasoline floating in the air. I flipped open the letter that had brought me out here. The paper was slightly weathered and beat from the many times that I had read it. It contained a handwritten note from my mother, reminding me to enjoy my time because it would not last forever. It reminded me to take a break from my tedious nine-to-five job in a cubicle, to “stop and smell the roses.” And so, standing in front of a magnificent view with the feeling of gritty sand at my feet, 20, 000 miles from my apartment, I drew in another deep breath and vowed to truly live.

[KilifiRuaia]

Descriptive writing is one of my weaknesses.But i tried:
As I sat at the edge of the wooden bridge, a breathtaking sight enveloped me. Gazing far beyond the tranquil waters, a soft breeze brushes against my face, bringing the familiar scent of salt. It was such a peaceful moment hearing the waves as they thrash back and forth on the beach.

[peggycortez]

This is from my student "A" who is 8 years old. We loved your video.

One day I drove with my family to the beach. My cheeks were red with excitement, and I was trembling with happiness. The beach was a calm and peaceful place. As soon as we got there, I tossed on my flippity flippers and jumped into the water. The water was warm, and I felt cozy like I was wearing a jacket of water. I could feel the algae tickling my toes, and it made me smile from ear to ear.
I jumped out of the water and wrapped myself in my velvety towel which was as smooth as creamy body butter. I could feel the sand on my toes because my feet and the sand were both wet. The sand gently rubbed against my feet like grains of salt. I could hear the seagulls squawking on the rough rock which was as rough as a brick. As heat from the sun became warmer and warmer, my mom set out cool sugary popsicles. They were as sweet as frosting! The air around us smelled of salt and happiness. As I chomped on my popsicle, I gazed at the swirly cotton candy sky. The blues, pinks, and purples moved together in the air high above me like a beautiful game of musical chairs.

[kokopuffbb]

Thank you for the video! It was very helpful and simple to follow. This is what I wrote after the prompt: The water laid still. It had the coolness and lifelessness of a morgue. The angular pier stretched out in front of her and curled around the fisherman's shack protectively. The wood moaning and shuddering under her feet, revealing it's age. Pale blue and gray clouds coated the sky and the smell of the sea tickled her nose. The cool damp air matched the clamminess of her palms. She listened as the water rhythmically lapped against the legs of the pier. The breeze danced past her, sending strands of brown hair across her face. She felt the itty bits of sand on her cheeks and she took a deep breath. It was as though she could taste the salt and seaweed in the back of her throat.

[sardarismail]

TBH this video was super!!! It helped me a lot for my exams.
This is my descriptive text on the picture prompt (Hope its good):
The calm soothing waves thrashing back and forth. As the waves lapped across the bridge made of perched wooden planks. Day and night were having a duel against each other. As the Sun was falling back down beautiful birds scurried across the sky. At the end of the pier laid a fisherman's shack drifted around by a wooden fence, lurking towards the center of the gigantic alluring sea. As the soft waves lapped on to the shore the sky manifested a shade of pink fuchsia on the soft in-rolling beach sand. The soft in-rolling waves casted a scent and taste of salt amidst the air. :)

[hia]

Boom!

Lightning streaked down from the sky, followed by the echo of a booming thunder that rang in his ears. The boat shook, trembling strenuously as it drifted along with the frantic waves.

Cold, limpid water pounced at him like prey, enveloping his entire body with its wet touch. He coughed uncontrollably, the taste of salty water lingering in his mouth as he released the liquid he accidentally sucked in.

He shivered slightly, the cool wind breezing past him as it seeped through his soaked clothing. A sense of panic, fear, and loss rose up from his chest.

He needed to get out of here. Now.

But..stranded in the middle of a sea of chaos and monsters, where would he go?

[NavalGaming]

The waves lapped softly against the shore. The rickety, deserted dock groaned in the wind. A lone bird call echoed throughout until it faded into the darkness. A salty sea breeze blew from the sea. The smell of fresh fish caught by the fisherman wafted through the air. The soft sand crumbled beneath a set of shoes. A fish jumped out of the water and landed with a splash. The slightest bit of pink peeked out of the blue-gray clouds as the sun rose. The wind died down, and a curious crab scuttled out of its burrow. Then, all went quiet.

[audreemerriman]

Here is mine! The multicolored sky blended perfectly with the clouds, amazing you as you look around the quiet beach. The long rickety wooden bridge gently touched the water as the shack perched on top of it all. The air smells salty but you like it. Sinking your feet into the water makes you shiver and smile, this was gonna be the best beach day ever.

[adoptmelex]

Here's mine!
The long, wooden, rickety bridge stretched out across the calm, blue sea. The faint, peaceful sound of water washing upon the shore, is so calming. The salty smell of the ocean filled the air. The feeling of the soft sand under your feet makes you feel deeply relaxed. Clouds cover the beautiful night sky. It's absolutely gorgeous.

[alyssaburke]

I've been struggling in my own stories with descriptions of people, places, and objects. I think your video helped to open my mind. I will definitely be making lists of vivid verbs and precise adjectives when I get stuck in the future!

Here's my go at the prompt:

I stretch my arms and stare into the darkening grey and blue sky. On this secluded pier, I recount the many times I've walked across the wet sand and heard the crashing waves against the shore. The memories of sandy seashells turned into necklaces, children's laughter as we build castles in the sand, and the soft yellow blanket beneath my body as I experienced my first gentle kiss under the dying sun fill my mind with warmth. This rickety pier has kept me grounded with its fraying wood beneath my tired bones all these years. As I close my eyes and inhale the salty sea, one last tranquil breath, my lips curve into a peaceful smile and I float, further and further, allowing the light breeze and lapping sea to carry me away.

[peggycortez]

This is from my student "MG" who is 11 years old. She and I really liked your video!

The darkened sky gleamed while the ocean mirrored it. The pink was like coral. The smell of the salty air was like a candle in a house, fresh & enlivening. Smoky clouds caused the sunlight to flicker through the air and dance on the glittering water. Footprints in the sand were sunken like ships that washed away into the sea. The roller coaster of a pier twisted and turned, dipped and rose precariously. Quietly the quay slowed and creaked in movement as the wind chimes rang with a peaceful sound.

[christophereromosele]

The purple and blue sky sat just above the edge of the waters, forming a vast rainbow that divided the clouds. The sky was peaceful and beautiful and I felt the gentle breeze of winter on my skin. I imagined running through the railings of the bay and jumping into the vast sea, swimming further and further until I couldn't find a shore to rest on.

[matildatran]

Not as great as others but had to have a go:

The cool evening breeze swirled around me as the salty scent of the sea tickled my nose. The gentle waves lapped against the sand as the wooden planks on the peer creaked and moaned. I shut my eyes and heard, beyond the sunset, the cries of seagulls swooping through the sky. The tranquillity was blissful!

[payalpandey]

You deserve more than this, You'd fit best at explaining things

[gomengomen]

I stepped out on the familiar fine rocks and a sudden scent of salt had rushed towards me. The calming, trashing of the reflected liquid sky against the fine sand. I crouched down with the coolness of the breeze, the warmth of the sand against my skin. I waddled forward in a hurry to admire the scenery consisting of a wooden built pier to my left - with a small wooden shack attached to it at the end - that gave off a fresh fishy and iron stench of blood, but was overpowered by the saltiness surrounding. I then glanced towards the ominous ocean that was far away from ending. It’s ice, blizzard look gave shivers as I shuffled closer. The tints of purple, lilac, hues of blues. Breath taking it was.

Thank you, this was fun :)

[mathpar]

Thank you a lot I struggle so much with descriptive writing. Thanks a lot!!!

[oliviali]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I STRUGGLE WITH DESCRIPTIVE WRITING AND THIS HELPED SO

[akedemaryanne]

This is mine
The sky so blue hallows over the ocean also making it blue . The wooden long bridge stretched out to the ocean and a small and peaceful building sits there . As the wind blew you could almost taste the salty air . The ocean calmly drifts to the land making the sand soft and relaxing .
I hope it's good enough 😊

[pubgmobile]

The clouds blended with shades of pink, gives us peace and calm. The beauty of nature. A long, narrow, brown, bridge beside the sea and on top of it was a small little house. The sea looks calm and the beach attracting us to come! A great day on a beach

[mrsrussell]

This was a great video! It helped me really understand that what I see when I write needs to engage the senses and evoke feelings. Thank you!

Here's mine:
My toes curl into the damp sand with each step as I follow the purples and indigos dancing along the line of water breaking at the shore. I inhale deeply, sweet briny fresh air fills my lungs as my eyes lift to follow the stark black lines of the jetty along the horizon, painted with the same soft purples and indigo that fade into soft whites of the clouds, hanging low over head and the deep blue of the sunset. A cool evening breeze sweeps over me as I scan the shelter at the end of the jetty. I pull my cardigan tighter against my body, smiling as I remember feeling of the aging timber under my touch from many years ago. My heart swells, I have missed this place.