Language of Description / Narration [Descriptive Writing and
Narrative Writing]
What is it?
Narrative language tells a story.
Descriptive language paints a picture using words.
Examples:
Novels, short stories, memoirs and diary entries narrate. Travel writing, personal
essays and feature articles or blogs can describe.
Layout:
All stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.
Hemmingway’s six word short story “For sale, baby
shoes, never worn” has all the ingredients of a
compelling story:
ü Set the scene, rousing the reader’s curiosity (for
sale)
ü Draw the reader into the action emotionally
(baby shoes)
ü Finish with an unexpected development (never worn)
Obviously you need a more fully developed plot, setting and characters for a
1,000 word short story. Descriptive essays are less demanding because they do
not require a plot, but they too must draw the reader in emotionally to what is
being described.
Style:
To write descriptively, you must choose specific verbs. Rather than writing “Susan
walks over and says she’s really excited” select verbs which add energy and
movement: “Susan bounces over, squealing with excitement”.
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