When writers want to make their descriptions better, they need to watch out for common mistakes that can hurt their writing. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
Using Too Many Adjectives and Adverbs: Studies show that using too many descriptive words can make writing confusing. It can reduce understanding by up to 30%. Instead of piling on adjectives and adverbs, writers should focus on using strong nouns and verbs.
Clichés and General Statements: Research has found that over 60% of writing can seem boring when common phrases (clichés) are used. To make writing more exciting, try to use new and fresh images.
Being Vague: Good descriptive language should appeal to all five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. If details are too vague, readers might not feel very connected. For example, saying “flower” is plain, but saying “crimson hibiscus” paints a much clearer picture.
Mixed-Up Tone: If the style of the story doesn’t match the descriptive language, it can confuse readers. A study showed that 75% of readers like when the tone stays the same throughout the writing.
Not Considering the Bigger Picture: Descriptive language should relate to the main theme of the story. Using symbols and deeper meanings can make descriptions more powerful without taking away from the main story. About 50% of great creative writing has these layered meanings.
Skipping Revisions: Many writers (70%) say they need to revise their work multiple times. Going back and improving descriptive language after the first draft can lead to clearer and more striking images.
By steering clear of these common mistakes, writers can improve their descriptive language and create stories that are more enjoyable for readers.
When writers want to make their descriptions better, they need to watch out for common mistakes that can hurt their writing. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
Using Too Many Adjectives and Adverbs: Studies show that using too many descriptive words can make writing confusing. It can reduce understanding by up to 30%. Instead of piling on adjectives and adverbs, writers should focus on using strong nouns and verbs.
Clichés and General Statements: Research has found that over 60% of writing can seem boring when common phrases (clichés) are used. To make writing more exciting, try to use new and fresh images.
Being Vague: Good descriptive language should appeal to all five senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. If details are too vague, readers might not feel very connected. For example, saying “flower” is plain, but saying “crimson hibiscus” paints a much clearer picture.
Mixed-Up Tone: If the style of the story doesn’t match the descriptive language, it can confuse readers. A study showed that 75% of readers like when the tone stays the same throughout the writing.
Not Considering the Bigger Picture: Descriptive language should relate to the main theme of the story. Using symbols and deeper meanings can make descriptions more powerful without taking away from the main story. About 50% of great creative writing has these layered meanings.
Skipping Revisions: Many writers (70%) say they need to revise their work multiple times. Going back and improving descriptive language after the first draft can lead to clearer and more striking images.
By steering clear of these common mistakes, writers can improve their descriptive language and create stories that are more enjoyable for readers.