Sensory Details:
* Sight: Authors use vivid language to paint a picture in the reader's mind. They describe colors, shapes, textures, and patterns.
* Sound: They bring in the sounds of the scene - the rustling of leaves, the hum of a machine, the chatter of people.
* Smell: Smells can be powerful triggers for memory and emotion. Descriptions of scents can add depth and realism.
* Taste: Authors might describe the flavors of food, drinks, or even the taste of the air.
* Touch: They use language to convey textures, temperatures, and the feel of objects.
Figurative Language:
* Similes and Metaphors: These comparisons help readers visualize something unfamiliar by relating it to something familiar.
* Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects or animals.
* Imagery: Creating mental pictures using evocative language.
Show, Don't Tell:
* Active Verbs: Instead of saying "The man was angry," an author might write "The man's fists clenched, his face reddened, and his voice boomed."
* Specific Details: Rather than saying "The room was messy," an author might describe scattered clothes, overflowing trash cans, and a pile of books on the floor.
Other Strategies:
* Focus on the Dominant Sense: Depending on the scene, an author might emphasize one sense over others. For example, in a scene set in a bustling market, the sounds might be the most important element.
* Create a Mood: Descriptions can help establish the atmosphere of a scene, whether it's tense, peaceful, joyful, or melancholic.
* Establish Setting: Descriptions help the reader understand where and when the story takes place.
* Develop Characters: Physical descriptions can reveal personality traits and how characters feel about themselves.
Remember: The best descriptions are concise and focused, adding to the story without bogging it down. They should be chosen strategically to support the plot, character development, and overall theme.