Language of 5 senses

Language of 5 senses

We are learning that boring, bland, banal (abstract) language hides the truth.  Uninteresting, vague word choice becomes uninteresting, vague writing while concrete, vivid and interesting word choice becomes concrete, vivid and interesting writing.

Another way to make your writing more descriptive, to ensure you give readers a clear window into your thoughts is to choose words and phrases that tap into our 5 senses.

Touch

Taste

Smell

Sight

Sound

Read the article linked below to learn about how and why one successful writer employs the 5-senses in her work:

http://jordanmccollum.com/series/writing-the-senses/ (Links to an external site.)

You'll probably notice that this article focuses on the 5 senses in fiction writing, but even if you're not writing a story, the 5 senses can be useful in descriptive writing of all kinds.

Now, practice writing through your own 5 senses.

After reading The Language of 5 Senses, practice writing through your own 5 senses. Homework directions are below.

You can pick one of the two options:

1. PLACE: Find an interesting place to sit and observe for 10-20 minutes. As you are observing pay close attention and take notes on the details that are engaging each of your senses.  You can divide your notes into 5 boxes to help you remember to consider each sense. 

When you have enough material in your notes, type up description of your chosen place.  Pack it with sensory details and try to make the place come to life in a reader's mind. 

Write at least 250 words.

 2. PERSON: Focus on an interesting person, real or fictional. You will ideally have the person either finishing or beginning something, such as getting ready to go to work or leaving work at the end of the day. Be sure to use a short time frame to enclose your description and give it an ending and a beginning.  Use vivid words and let me (the reader) know everything about the person. See if you can show us rather than tell us what their job is etc. You can divide your notes into 5 boxes to help you remember to consider each sense. When you have enough material in your notes, type up description of your chosen person. 

OR Get crazy and combine the two, person and place in one very detailed piece! :)

Write at least 250 words