Descriptive and Figurative Language

Remember, for your Then and Now essay you need to have at least three sensory details and two examples of figurative language incorporated into your writing.

Sensory Details:

Details that are selected in your writing should be arranged to appeal to the senses of taste, touch smell, sight, and sound.

General Statements must be supported with details.

Ex: “It was cold.”

How cold was it? Was it colder than yesterday? Will it be warmer tomorrow? Can it be compared to some other time or some other thing that reveals more understanding of the temperature?

“It was the kind of morning that made me want to roll over and pull the heavy down comforter back around my head and return to my deep sleep, far away from the howling wind and ill-tempered rain drops that were assaulting the early risers outside; not even the aroma of bacon was able to drive me away from my warm palace of slumber and pure coziness.”

Figurative Language:

Simile: a comparison btw. two things using the words “like” or “as.” Remember, your comparison has the ability to set a specific mood for your writing.

"As I sat there waiting, I realized it was as  quiet as a forgotten corpse outside, which made me wonder when she was finally going to show up."

"As I sat there waiting, I realized it was as quiet as winter’s first snow tumbling to the ground on Christmas Eve. This quietness made me wonder when she was going to show up."

Metaphor- A direct comparison btw. two things that does not use “like” or “as.”

The waiter kept looking at me. A true night-owl with those glaring eyes, taking in any suspicious behavior. He would be the first to go.

Personification- the attribution of a human characteristic and emotion to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract ideas. 

The coffee began to call me closer with its rich roasted scent. I had to stay awake I thought as I sipped the final drops.