Unit 5- Lesson 3: Writing to describe and narrate Flashcards
(17 cards)
The______________ is one of humankind’s basic instincts.
impulse to share stories
enable you to tell good stories in order to accomplish varied purposes such as to entertain, to instruct or to help others in their understanding of something, to spark one’s imagination.
Narrative and descriptive writing skills
The ability to describe something convincingly will serve you, as a ___________, well in any kind of writing situation.
writer
The most important thing to remember is that your job as writer is ________________
to show, not tell.
It is therefore important to equip yourself with the _____________for effective and impactful narrative and descriptive writing.
tools
use the five senses: sight, hear, smell , taste and touch.
Sensory language
create vivid mental pictures with rich, specific details
Imagery
use metaphors, similes, personification, etc.
Figurative language
avoid generic words, use action-packed and specific language
Strong verbs and precise nouns
instead of telling emotions or actions, show them through behavior, dialogue and description
Show, Don’t Tell
make your characters feel real with distinct traits, motivations and growth
Character development
every good story needs tension or a challenge that gets resolved.
Conflict and resolution
natural, character-revealing conversations move the story forward
Dialogue
control the rhythm of your story; slow down for emotion, speed up for action
Pacing
Whether it’s peaceful, eerie, or chaotic, keep a consistent tone.
Focus on a central mood or atmosphere
start with a wide-angle description, then zoom in on specific details to deepen immersion
Zoom in and out
choose a strong emotion or idea to guide your description (e.g., “loneliness” or “chaos)
Use dominant impression
