Adding detail to your writing will significantly increase its quality and impact. Detailed and vivid writing will sketch a clear picture that will remain in your reader's minds. Descriptive writing allows readers to feel engulfed in your novel and to better understand your novel. Good writers utilize complex and detailed language, in order for their readers to clearly envision the setting of the novel. Whether you are writing a fictional or non-fictional piece, including detail is sure to elevate your work. Detailed writing stems from the use of verbs and descriptive words. If you are interested in adding more enthralling detail to your writing, continue reading for 5 important tips:
Use Sensory Details
It is essential to incorporate the five senses; sight, smell, sound, taste, and feel when adding detail to your writing. Using sensory details engages readers and makes them feel part of the story. Plus, descriptive verbs and adjectives that incorporate all five of our senses will create a tangible vision for readers that lead them to better understand the story. In order to have readers experience your descriptive writing the way you want, make sure to utilize all five senses. Listed below are 5 examples of how to involve sensory details in your writing:
Sight
Sunbaked rocks bordered a waterfall that glimmered with water the deep color of a sapphire.
Smell
Sound
Taste
Feel
Use Similes + Metaphors
Similes and metaphors are great for adding detail to your novel. A simile is a figure of speech that compares one thing with another thing including "as" or "like." While a metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares one object to something else. Similes and metaphors are excellent ways to create a concrete image for your readers. To effectively use metaphors and similes you need them to be simple and understandable for readers. Also relating to the point above, you can summon an image using sound, taste, smell, and feel.
Add Action to Dialogue
Connecting action to dialogue is guaranteed to add depth and detail to your novel. As you probably know, incorporating dialogue into your novel is sure to advance your plot, and attaching actions is sure to add detail. The most efficient way to connect actions to dialogue is by using tags. For example, after a character says something you might say, "...character A screamed, then stormed out of the room and slammed the heavy door." The tag and descriptive actions after the piece of dialogue includes much more detail than if there were no tags. As you write, be sure to include dialogue tags and enhance your novel with actions.
Use Descriptive Verbs
The best way to introduce detail to your novel is through descriptive verbs. Incorporating depth and impact into your choice of verbs will help readers imagine the scene they are reading and the actions of the characters. Descriptive verbs are the opposite of "flat verbs." Instead, descriptive verbs are verbs that describe actions and effectively illustrate the setting for the reader. In many cases, an expressive and vivid verb is much more useful than a verb that is overused or insignificant. Some examples of flat verbs are: say, walk, and tell. Though these words are fine when used sparsely, they don't paint a picture for the reader. If you use the verb say, readers won't know if the character is screaming or whispering. A second example is instead of writing "a character walked through the woods," you could say "a character trudged through the woods, unhappy to be visiting Grandma." The second sentence adds a lot more detail for the reader! As you write, make sure you utilize descriptive verbs to add more detail to your novel.
Don't Overwhelm the Reader
Although, it is important to include details and sensory imagery make sure you don't overwhelm your readers. Vivid descriptions will enhance your writing, but detailing so many things will slow down your novel and confuse your readers. As you write, ensure that you aren't including so much detail that readers will be confused, instead make sure your writing flows and is logical. A good way to test if your writing reads well is to read it out loud or ask for feedback from another reader.
Reading a novel that lacks detail and descriptive imagery is dull and annoying to read. This is why whether you are writing an academic report or a work of fiction, it is crucial you add detail. Having detail in your writing is essential for engaging readers and making them feel part of your story. Though it can be exhausting to include details, it will be worth it for your readers.
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