Descriptive writing is often tested in English Language exams; a descriptive piece (sometimes called a descriptive essay) is a piece of writing that aims to transport readers to a specific time and place, bringing a scene or character to life so that it seems almost real.

Below you’ll find a list of things to remember in order to write great descriptive pieces at any level, especially if you’re aiming for top marks.


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Descriptive Writing: What is it and How to do it


Descriptive Writing

  • NOT a story
  • One place, one time, one set of people, describing the world around you
  • 5 senses — see, hear, touch, smell, taste (imagery)
  • Purpose: make the audience feel as though they are in your setting
  • Structure — really clear, with distinct paragraphs
  • Consult the mark scheme for specific info on what to include

Remember to use the following:

  • Interesting punctuation — . , ? ! () … : ; ‘ “” —
  • Different sentence lengths — including a one-word sentence
  • Different sentence starters
  • Language features — one of each feature, as many features as you can think of (e.g. repetition, alliteration, simile, metaphor, personification, imagery, anaphora, oxymoron, onomatopoeia, personification)
  • Make sure every descriptive word that you choose is interesting or unusual
  • Make your descriptions detailed, specific, and personal
  • Use a lot of adverbs and adjectives
  • Plan, structure and organize your piece in a clear, interesting way
  • Make sure to read a lot to absorb ideas for your own writing!
  • Develop a personal style that suits your own reading tastes

Nightmare World (Writing Process, Example Plan + Written Extract)

What examiners look for in your writing — from an example Mark Scheme:

W1 – articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined

W2 – sequence facts, ideas and opinions

W3 – use a range of appropriate vocabulary

W4 – use register appropriate to audience and context

W5 – make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar

To get Full Marks:

  • Many well-defined and developed ideas and images create a convincing, original, overall picture with varieties of focus
  • Content is complex, sophisticated and realistic
  • The overall structure is secure and the constituent parts are well balanced and carefully managed
  • Writing is consistent, stylistically fluent, linguistically strong and almost always accurate; has a sense of audience
  • Consistently wide range of appropriate vocabulary
  • Subtle and effective sense of audience; appropriate use of varied sentence structures
  • Spelling, punctuation and grammar are almost always accurate

Descriptive Writing Piece: Hot Air Balloon

Thanks for reading! If you find this document useful, take a look at our full Basic Descriptive Writing course and Advanced Descriptive Writing course.