How to Do Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing involves using flowery language to help a reader create a mental picture. Writing typically focuses on locations, items or people. When writing, use strong, visual words such as words for colors, textures, sounds and smells. Descriptive writing can be a finished piece on its own or it can be a part of a larger work, such as a short story or novel.

Visualize the topic you wish to describe, such as a day at the beach. Picture the image of the beach, the sand, water and sky. Think about the details of the place. Is it sunny or gray? Is the beach rocky or sandy? What time of day and year is it?

Brainstorm your essay, poem or piece of prose. Write the words you think of when you imagine the topic. If you write about the beach, you may brainstorm "sandy, windy or aqua."

Determine the desired outcome of your descriptive writing. Do you want to make a place sound desirable to convince people to go there? Do you want to make people understand how much you care about an item? Do you want people to think a thing or place is awful?

Write your first sentence. Start with a description that encompasses a single element or the entire location. If you are writing about the beach, you may write "The wind pushes salty air across the sand."

Continue your descriptive writing by devoting a sentence to each element of the object or location. For example, write "Azure waves roll in and out."

Write the rest of your description, until you finish describing the place or thing. Most pieces will be at least five sentences and may go on for several paragraphs. Once you have finished, end the piece with a conclusion sentence, such as "It is a place of true peace."