- 1). Think about what you want to describe. Usually, the inspiration to write comes from a specific experience, feeling or perception connected with your subject. For example, if you are writing about your weekend in Rome, describe how the warm, summer nights there affected you, and how the bustle and energy of the city center lifted your spirits. It would be mundane to simply describe how the city looks in plain terms; focus on the details -- what the restaurants and bars smelled like, how they stayed open all night, the sounds of musicians playing in the central squares.
- 2). Show instead of tell. Employ sight, smell, taste, sound and touch in your description so your reader can empathize with and relate to your writing. A good description should allow the reader to experience the way you felt. For example, if you write "I walked around the city at night," you're simply telling the reader that you walked around Rome, but the experience stops there. Instead, show the reader what it's like to walk around Rome: "As I strolled through the magical city streets, the laughter and distant music made my soul dance." This exposes the reader to how the experience made you feel.
- 3). Focus on your use of language. It is important that the words you use are as descriptive as possible. Use words that implant an image in the reader's head. Instead of "walked," use "strolled" or "wandered." Instead of using "empty," use "desolate" or "deserted." These words add life and color to your descriptions and your readers will start to feel like they are a part of your story.
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