Overview

Movie directors use lighting and props to create a specific atmosphere. To make a house look spooky, a director might call for dim lights, shadows, and cobwebs in a set. How do writers create moods and places? Writers use descriptive details to create a scene with words. These details help the readers imagine that they hear, see, smell, taste, and touch the items described in the piece of writing.

Descriptive writing is like painting with words.

• Observe—Gather details about your subject.
• Elaborate—Find words that appeal to readers’ senses.
• Organize—Put the details in order.