Write Description Using the Sense of Sight

Convey Details in Fiction From a Visual Perspective

Jun 7, 2009

If characters are the heart of fiction, description is the pulse. When something is described, an experience is created for the reader on an emotional level.

In essence, description forces the reader to participate in the story. A reader must actively figure out the information instead of passively accept whatever the author "tells" them. Description is more than show, don't tell. Yes, it makes the narrative more interesting, but it also reveals a depth inaccessible through straight action and dialogue. Showing conveys more information.

Start With Something Simple

This sentence is grammatically correct, but not particularly interesting. It doesn't evoke any emotion. The word "was" is an economic verb, but not very exciting. It doesn't show much. Now make some improvements.

A better verb is used now, and it offers more information to the reader. Because the tile glistens in the sunlight the reader knows it's day time, and that it's sunny. A lot is accomplished in this one descriptive sentence while using the same number of words.

Add other senses to give the reader a more complete picture, but be careful not to overdo. A good rule of thumb is to limit sensory detail to two or three senses at a time. Combine description with action to prevent getting bogged down with a lot of expository writing that could bore the reader. Keep it moving.

Dos and Don'ts

DO use adjectives in surprising ways. Adjective-noun combinations can convey an interesting image: frightful goodness, ferocious necklace, fierce smile. Like everything else, moderation is key to effective description.

DON'T rely heavily on adverbs. Too many adverbs is a sign that you're not working hard enough to let language transfer a scene from your eyes to your readers' eyes.

Sarah was now dressed in a peachskin sundress in splashes of tangerine and gold, with lavender trim; her makeover at the Sak's counter, like the wave of a fairy godmother's wand, had returned her gleaming skin and butter-smooth sophistication. The shoes added just the right touch of sassy cool. Windfall by Rachel Caine

My mother was Aunt Pauline's younger sister, and prettier than Aunt Pauline, who had a complexion like sandpaper and was all bone, with knuckles on her as big as chickens' knees; but my mother had long auburn hair, it was her I got it from, and round blue eyes like a doll… Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

An Exercise in Using Visual Description

Here's an exercise to help flex visually descriptive muscles. Walk into the bedroom and take a good look around. Describe the setting in 100 words or less. It can be from either a first person point of view, or the POV of a character from a work in progress. Don't be afraid to combine visual senses with auditory or olfactory, and the sense of touch is welcome as well, but try to focus on the visual for this exercise.

Using the sense of sight is an excellent way to write effective description and add power to a good story well told.

The copyright of the article Write Description Using the Sense of Sight in Writing Techniques is owned by Karen Duvall. Permission to republish Write Description Using the Sense of Sight in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.