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Descriptive Language

English (Year 12) - Language Features

Ben Whitten

What is descriptive language?

Descriptive language is a type of language that is used to describe something, such as a person, place, object, or event. It is used to create a vivid and detailed image in the reader's or listener's mind. Descriptive language can be found in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, and can include words, phrases, and sentences that paint a picture in the reader's mind.


The use of descriptive language can include the use of adjectives, adverbs, and other descriptive words. For example, an author might use words like "gleaming," "shadowy," or "misty" to describe a landscape, or "sly," "jovial," or "fierce" to describe a character. Descriptive language can also include the use of figurative language, such as simile and metaphor, to create comparisons and imagery.


Additionally, descriptive language can be used to convey sensory details, such as the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of things, to help the reader experience the scene or object as vividly as possible. Through descriptive language, an author can create an immersive and believable atmosphere that makes the reader feel like they are a part of the story.


Overall, descriptive language is a type of language that is used to describe something, such as a person, place, object, or event, by using words, phrases, and sentences that paint a picture in the reader's mind, using sensory details, comparisons, and imagery.

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