Tips for Descriptive Writing -- IGCSE First Language

Directed Writing and Composition paper

1. In this paper, narrative means a story, and descriptive
means NOT a story. For descriptive writing, you do not
need a plot, a conflict, characters, or any of that other
stuff you need for narrative writing. 
2. So if you're not supposed to tell a story, what ARE you
supposed to do? You're supposed to create an image in the
reader's head. Think of it as the exposition part of a story:
you have to set the scene, but don't go on to tell the story.
Or think of it as a page out of a novel that just seems to be
one big, long paragraph about the main character's
grandmother's moles. In fact, when you're reading a
novel, you're probably tempted to skip over those pages.
But if you're in IGCSE First Language, DON'T, for the
love of Kevin Spacey, skip over the long, chunky
descriptive passages! Read them carefully and try to
emulate the style in your descriptive writing tasks.
Whew, tip number two was a doozy. And you still
probably aren't really sure how to do descriptive
writing. "What do you mean, create an image in the
reader's mind, you crazy Nardvark?" you are probably
asking by now.
Okay, so tip number...
3. Imagine you're standing in the middle of the scene
you're describing. Without moving from your location,
look around you. Describe everything.
4. Use imagery. Imagery comes in many forms: as well as
describing what you see (visual imagery), you should also
describe what you hear (aural imagery), smell (olfactory
imagery), feel (tactile imagery), and taste (gustatory
imagery.) To learn all about these five kinds of sensory
imagery, click here.
5. Use adjectives. So instead of saying there's a house, say
there's a two-story sky-blue house. See? You're already
getting a mental image of the house.

6. Use figurative language, like metaphors, similes, and

onomatopoeia. For example, instead of saying someone's
sweater was uncomfortable, say it was like wearing a
walrus skin. See? You can really imagine a scratchy, hot,
heavy uncomfortable sweater.
7. Use imaginative vocabulary. For instance, instead of
saying someone ran, say they sprinted, jogged, flew,
scampered, or trotted. See? Each of these words gives you
a different picture of how they ran.

8. DON'T use vague words. So, instead of saying someone

is nice, say they're generous, thoughtful, or kind-hearted. 
9. DON'T use cliches, or over-used words. For instance,
instead of saying someone's sleeping like a baby (Come on:
anyone who's ever had a baby knows that babies wake up
screaming at all hours of the night, anyway!) say they're
sleeping peacefully with a calm expression.

Try this descriptive writing exercise

Look at an object in your work space. Without saying
what it is, describe it thoroughly -- describe what it looks
like, what it smells like, what it feels like, what it sounds
like when you throw it against the wall (theoretically), and
what it tastes like (possibly what you imagine it tastes like.
The Nardvark doesn't want you to get salmonella for the
purpose of this exercise!) Use adjectives, figurative
language, and imaginative vocabulary in your description.
Post your description on your favourite social network
and ask your followers if they can guess what you're
describing. If they guess easily, you win! Do this with your
classmates so everyone can practice their descriptive
writing. 
So, patient Nardvark fan, that finally brings us to your
original question: "Describe a group of people at
work." Easy! You probably work at McDonald's, so tell us
all about those pimply, uncomfortable uniform wearing,
non-English speaking coworkers of yours. But wait; since
you're a student, you might not have a job, in which case
this is going to be difficult for you. Have you ever been to
"take your kid to work day" with your mom, dad, granny,
or weird predatory uncle? If not, and you still don't have a
job (get a job, kid!) then what you need to do is find an
excuse to lurk around in the door of the teacher staff
room for about ten minutes and drink in everything
you see/hear/smell/taste/feel. Then run and jot it all down
in your English notebook in point form. Now you have
plenty to write descriptively about.