Descriptive Writing
Descriptive writing can be used either on its own or within a larger piece of writing, such as a novel. Description is an influential aspect of narrative fiction, and in particular the realist mode of fiction relies on description for creating realistic characters and settings. Such descriptions may include details about a character's appearance and their thoughts and gestures. Historical fiction and nineteenth century fiction tend to use a lot of description not only of characters but also of objects and habits relating to that era to create a sense of time and place.
However, descriptive writing is not limited to fiction. It is used in things like reports (where the description is purely factual and based on objective observation), cook books, and in other literary genres such as autobiography. Unlike the objective business report, literary uses of descriptive writing are almost always subjective. That is, they include factual detail together with words that evoke emotion.
The most basic use of descriptive writing in fiction is to precipitate images, emotions or experiences in the reader. Descriptive writing appeals to the senses or can show a scene from a particular perspective. Good description stirs the reader's imagination, and provides a memorable and lasting image. The writer of description relies largely on keen observation as a source for vivid description. Using adverbs, adjectives and emotionally toned words gives colour to the description. The skill is in making the reader believe what they are reading and drawing them into the world of the narrative.
Charles Dickens said that he sees what he wants to write in his mind's eye and then writes it down. However, the skill of descriptive writing is more complex than it seemed to Dickens. Certainly, the writer must visualise and then describe that vision to the reader, but the trick to writing good description is also in the selection of what details to convey and what to leave out, how to order those details, and how to achieve pace and balance. The creation of a clear and dominant impression dictates what detail is included; too much information can hinder the description. There needs to be a fine balance of detail, including enough to create a picture and give an impression, but not too much to crowd the image or make the writing seem drawn out and boring. Good description then does not have to be lengthy. Succinct and powerful imagery and metaphor rather than a lot of detail can be used to great effect and economy.
Description can carry meaning that is diffused throughout the entire narrative. It can convey insights into a character or situation, and reveal personality or emotions. Some objects included in the description might have a symbolic meaning that form part of a motif. Also, aspects of the face of a character described may reveal something about a character's personality, their clothes may say something of their social status, and their gestures may indicate their state of mind. If description is to be used effectively within a larger narrative, it must have a relationship with and be relevant to the rest of the narrative.