Creative Writing

Lesson 2: Sensory Details in Writing

Concept Notes:

Sensory details include sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Writers employ the five
senses to engage a reader's interest. If you want your writing to jump off the page, then bring
your reader into the world you are creating. When describing a past event, try and remember
what you saw, heard, touched, smelled, and tasted, then incorporate that into your writing. 
Sensory details are used in any great story, literary or not. Think about your favorite
movie or video game. What types of sounds and images are used? What do your favorite
characters taste, smell, and touch? Without sensory details, stories would fail to come to life.
When sensory details are used, your readers can personally experience whatever you're
trying to describe, reminding them of their own experiences, giving your writing a universal
feel. A universal quality is conveyed when the writer is able to personally connect with the
readers. 
Another note about sensory details: there is no one sense that's more important than
another. It all depends on the scene you're trying to create. However, imagery, the sight sense,
is a common feature in vivid writing.
Here's a passage without sensory details: 
 'I went to the store and bought some flowers. Then I headed to the meat
department. Later I realized I forgot to buy bread.‘
Read this revised version with the addition of sensory details:
 'Upon entering the grocery store, I headed directly for the flower department,
where I spotted yellow tulips. As I tenderly rested the tulips in my rusty
shopping cart, I caught a whiff of minty dried eucalyptus, so I added the fragrant
forest green bouquet of eucalyptus to my cart. While heading for the meat
department, I smelled the stench of seafood, which made my appetite disappear.’
 Writing with the senses is an important part of writing well. Adjectives bring writing to
life and pull the reader into the text and help activate his or her imagination.
 Sensory details help the reader feel like he or she was there and create a more
intimate connection to the narrator or writer and a greater understanding of the text.
Adjectives help set mood and tone in the text and help establish a strong voice.

Other Examples
Without Sensory Details
Unfortunately, I’m currently too busy to take
a new projects.
The long lasting cabinets are made from the
best material, guaranteed for 10 years.
Imagine your writing is slowing readers
down.
With Sensory Words
Unfortunately, my schedule is jam-packed;
and I’m unable to squeeze in new projects.
Our cabinets remain squeak and creak
free. That’s guaranteed for 10 years.
Imagine your readers trudging. Their shoes
feel heavy. Squelch. Sploosh. Squelch.
Sploosh