Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/5-1-3-descriptive-writing [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse.md) › [English Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language.md) › [Edexcel IGCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse.md) › Descriptive Writing # Descriptive Writing English Language: Edexcel IGCSE - Specification B, topic 5.1.3 ## Section B: Descriptive Writing A descriptive piece uses sensory detail (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to describe a place, person or feeling. There is no story line. Here are some tips for writing a descriptive piece: ### Use figurative language ![Use figurative language](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2025-09/79ed9b6f-75e0-4ff1-8379-757bac12b4b2/3e74fd8d-3b8b-4bb0-b0cc-12952c6097a0.png) - Using figurative language helps to bring descriptions to life. - Figurative language uses figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive or impactful. Such devices include metaphors and similes. - E.g. My bedroom is a freezer! ### Figurative language - example ![Figurative language - example](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/d31f3560-cc61-48cc-b9a3-d7a9c178a034/india-crowd-busy-population-.jpg) - Read this example: - There were lots of people in the room. It was crowded. I was feeling claustrophobic. I started to panic. - These sentences are grammatically correct, but the description is boring. Let's now look at an example using figurative language: - The people in the room were bunched together __like battery chickens on a tiny farm__. Panic __rushed__ over me __like a wave crashing into shore__. Claustrophobia __swallowed__ me. - The similes and personification in these sentences make the writing much more exciting. ### Use vocabulary to create the right tone ![Use vocabulary to create the right tone](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/4494c522-7e35-4360-9013-a55ed2c5d025/woman-thinking-forget.jpg) - The tone of your writing is very important. The tone is the writer's feelings towards what they are describing. - To create the right tone: - Choose words carefully - using positive adjectives will help to create a light-hearted feel. Using negative/aggressive adjectives will help to create a foreboding atmosphere. - Use varied sentences - using short, simple sentences will help to create suspense and quicken the pace. Using long, complex sentences will slow the pace and create a relaxed feel. ### Tone - examples ![Tone - examples](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/03dbd5e6-06b2-4d02-8d4e-1c13ff2925b7/shutterstock_387639436.jpg) - The __howling__, __raging__ storm __smashed__ everything in its path. - The aggressive adjectives help to create a negative tone. The writer wants us to think of the storm as a negative force. - The __sweet__, __little__ girl flickered her __sky-blue__ eyes as she tossed her __honey golden__ locks. - The positive adjectives create a positive tone. The writers wants us to think of the girl as an attractive and likeable character. ### Tone - examples ![Tone - examples](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/2.5.1%20-%20Plant%20tissues%201/forest%20sun-min.jpg) - __He looked. He looked again. Where was she? Where had she gone? Panic smacked Joe in the face. She was missing. Gone without a trace.__ - The series of simple, short sentences help to create suspense and quicken the pace - reflecting Joe's panic. - __The golden sun stretched out his magnificent arms and spread honey rays far and wide, warming his beloved Earth and waking her creatures one and all.__ - The long, complex sentence creates a relaxed feel - reflecting this lethargic start to the day. ### Use a range of language devices ![Use a range of language devices](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/27b953cf-9db4-4813-bf60-7fb7d47b02b2/words-letters-.jpg) - Language devices play a key role in creative writing. Using a variety of the language devices covered in the 'Key Terms' section can help you to: - Make your writing more interesting. - Engage the reader in your story or help them to visualise your description. - Help you to build up the image/experience you have in your own head. - We will recap these language devices in the 'Checklist of Techniques' section. ### Good techniques ![Good techniques](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/5.2.3%20The%20eye/eye-800766_640-min.jpg) - Adjectives. - Analogies. - Metaphors and similes. - Devices that create a visual picture in the reader's mind. ## Test yourself on Descriptive Writing - You are describing a beautiful sunset over a beach. What kind of sentences should you use to create the right tone? - What techniques should you use to enhance your descriptive writing? - You are describing a police chase. You want to quicken the pace of your narrative. What kind of sentences should you use? - Which sentence uses vocabulary effectively to create a disapproving tone? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/423a79c1-c6f6-452c-a5c3-d30176aa5c13/section/1bd4f92d-26e4-42e6-934f-c539e8cfe444/session) - Previous topic: [5.1.2 Narrative Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/5-1-2-narrative-writing.md) - Next topic: [5.1.4 End of Topic Test - Writing Task](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/5-1-4-end-of-topic-test-writing-task.md) ## English Language: Edexcel IGCSE - Specification B contents ### 1 Key Terms - 1.1 Key Terms - [1.1.1 Key Terms - Nouns, Verbs & Sentences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/1-1-1-key-terms-nouns-verbs-and-sentences.md) - [1.1.2 Key Terms - Sentence and Clause Types](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/1-1-2-key-terms-sentence-and-clause-types.md) - [1.1.3 Key Terms - Words, Sounds & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/1-1-3-key-terms-words-sounds-and-language.md) - [1.1.4 Key Terms - Types of Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/1-1-4-key-terms-types-of-language.md) - [1.1.5 Key Terms - Images, Symbols & Mood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/1-1-5-key-terms-images-symbols-and-mood.md) - [1.1.6 Key Terms - Mood & Feelings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/1-1-6-key-terms-mood-and-feelings.md) - [1.1.7 Key Terms - Other Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/1-1-7-key-terms-other-techniques.md) - [1.1.8 End of Topic Test - Key Terms](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/1-1-8-end-of-topic-test-key-terms.md) ### 2 Language Devices - 2.1 Language Devices - [2.1.1 Metaphors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-1-metaphors.md) - [2.1.2 Similes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-2-similes.md) - [2.1.3 Metaphors & Similes HyperLearning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-3-metaphors-and-similes-hyperlearning.md) - [2.1.4 Personification](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-4-personification.md) - [2.1.5 Pathetic Fallacy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-5-pathetic-fallacy.md) - [2.1.6 Puns & Oxymorons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-6-puns-and-oxymorons.md) - [2.1.7 Hyperbole & Emotive Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-7-hyperbole-and-emotive-language.md) - [2.1.8 Alliteration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-8-alliteration.md) - [2.1.9 Sibilance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-9-sibilance.md) - [2.1.10 Onomatopoeia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-10-onomatopoeia.md) - [2.1.11 Recap: Language Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-11-recap-language-devices.md) - [2.1.12 End of Topic Test - Language Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/2-1-12-end-of-topic-test-language-devices.md) ### 3 Writing Structure - 3.1 Writing Structure - [3.1.1 Narrators](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/3-1-1-narrators.md) - [3.1.2 Paragraphs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/3-1-2-paragraphs.md) - [3.1.3 Tense](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/3-1-3-tense.md) - [3.1.4 Present vs Past vs Future Tense](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/3-1-4-present-vs-past-vs-future-tense.md) - [3.1.5 Foreshadowing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/3-1-5-foreshadowing.md) - [3.1.6 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/3-1-6-structure.md) - [3.1.7 End of Topic Test - Writing Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/3-1-7-end-of-topic-test-writing-structure.md) ### 4 Section B: Reading & Writing - 4.1 Writing Formats - [4.1.1 Letter](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-1-letter.md) - [4.1.2 Reports & Essays](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-2-reports-and-essays.md) - [4.1.3 Journal/Diary Entry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-3-journaldiary-entry.md) - [4.1.4 Speech](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-4-speech.md) - [4.1.5 Newspaper Article](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-5-newspaper-article.md) - [4.1.6 Leaflet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-6-leaflet.md) - [4.1.7 Review](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-7-review.md) - [4.1.8 Travel Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-8-travel-writing.md) - [4.1.9 End of Topic Test - Writing Formats](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-1-9-end-of-topic-test-writing-formats.md) - 4.2 Writing to... - [4.2.1 Writing to Inform](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-1-writing-to-inform.md) - [4.2.2 Writing to Inform - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-2-writing-to-inform-example.md) - [4.2.3 Writing to Explain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-3-writing-to-explain.md) - [4.2.4 Writing to Explain - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-4-writing-to-explain-example.md) - [4.2.5 Writing to Persuade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-5-writing-to-persuade.md) - [4.2.6 Writing to Persuade - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-6-writing-to-persuade-example.md) - [4.2.7 Writing to Argue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-7-writing-to-argue.md) - [4.2.8 Writing to Argue - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-8-writing-to-argue-example.md) - [4.2.9 Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-9-writing-to-persuade-vs-writing-to-argue.md) - [4.2.10 Writing to Advise](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-10-writing-to-advise.md) - [4.2.11 Writing to Advise - Example](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-11-writing-to-advise-example.md) - [4.2.12 End of Topic Test - Writing to...](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-2-12-end-of-topic-test-writing-to.md) - 4.3 Acronym of Techniques - DAFORESTAR - [4.3.1 Direct Address](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-1-direct-address.md) - [4.3.2 Alliteration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-2-alliteration.md) - [4.3.3 Facts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-3-facts.md) - [4.3.4 Opinions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-4-opinions.md) - [4.3.5 Repetition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-5-repetition.md) - [4.3.6 Exaggeration (Hyperbole)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-6-exaggeration-hyperbole.md) - [4.3.7 Statistics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-7-statistics.md) - [4.3.8 Triple (Rule of 3)](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-8-triple-rule-of-3.md) - [4.3.9 Emotive Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-9-emotive-language.md) - [4.3.10 Rhetorical Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-10-rhetorical-questions.md) - [4.3.11 End of Topic Test - DAFORESTER](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/4-3-11-end-of-topic-test-daforester.md) ### 5 Section C: Writing - 5.1 Writing Task - [5.1.1 Discursive Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/5-1-1-discursive-writing.md) - [5.1.2 Narrative Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/5-1-2-narrative-writing.md) - [5.1.3 Descriptive Writing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/5-1-3-descriptive-writing.md) - [5.1.4 End of Topic Test - Writing Task](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/igcse/english-language/edexcel-igcse/5-1-4-end-of-topic-test-writing-task.md)