Writing someone's description is not always difficult. Once you've mastered writing the basic descriptions presented in the steps below, keep practicing. You'll be able to write a better description of someone in no time.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Started Description
Step 1. Observe real people
Like dialogue, you have to observe real people in order to replicate that reality in words. So grab a pen or pencil and a piece of paper and then go out in public.
- Observe strangers in public places like malls or coffee shops, or even libraries. Write down their description. What do they wear? What color is their hair? How do they walk? Do they tread confidently, or do they stoop and don't want to attract attention? What strange habits did you observe? Do they tap their fingers when they drink coffee, do they bite their pens? Are they laughing to themselves?
- You don't have to write a whole description while you're observing, just jot down a few notes as ideas for later. All of these observations tell us something about a person and you will need them when you begin to describe.
- Pay attention to your family and friends. They all have habits and personalities that you are familiar with. Start writing everything down. Describing people you know well can be a good exercise.
Step 2. Read descriptions from authors you admire
You don't imitate them exactly but to find out what works for them and why it works. Analyzing other people's work is important to give ideas for your work to produce something similar.
- "Crowley has dark hair and fine cheekbones, he wears snakeskin shoes, or at least he wears shoes, and his tongue often does very strange things. And, when self-conscious, he has a tendency to hiss. blink a lot." This description describes the physical features, but leaves most of the formation to the reader. What the description provides is highlighting Crowley's "difference", because in truth, Crowley is a demon. Another thing to take from this quote: Crowley wears nice clothes (snake skin shoes), he tries to fit in to be human, but doesn't quite succeed, and he doesn't always maintain self-control.
- 'Suddenly Frodo noticed a strange-looking man with a weathered face, sitting in the shadows by the wall, also listening intently to the chatter of the hobbits. Before him was a tall metal glass, and he was smoking a strangely carved long-stemmed pipe. His feet were stretched forward, revealing high boots of supple leather which fit perfectly but seemed to have been worn many times and were now splattered with dry mud. A dark green cloth coat worn from travel covered him tightly, and although the room was hot he wore a hood over his face.; but the glint of his eyes can be seen when he looks at the hobbits." The introduction of Aragorn hinted that he was not what the Breemen thought - his clothes were well sewn, but worn. He sucked on the "strangely carved pipe" that suggested his unusual origins. Tolkien shows his interest in the hobbits, but dispels or makes the reader doubt his intentions.
- Note that both descriptions are part of the story. Both specify further actions and do not stop to describe all the details. In Tolkien's example, the outline of Aragorn's first appearance is made by Frodo, who notices the character's interest in him. This quote also highlights Frodo's heightened vigilance.
Part 2 of 3: Writing a Description
Step 1. Decide what your description is used for
The description can be as long or as short as necessary to achieve the goal, but the goal is different for each author. The two examples above are meant to introduce someone, but they don't always have to be that way.
- Word choice is very important. The choice of words will differ depending on the person. In Tolkien's description above, the pipe and the "dark green cloth" are clues that this character is not as bad a person as might be. Think about what you are trying to convey with your description.
- Another example of word choice: "Rose waited in a lobby chair, and for a split second Laurel saw her as one of the strangers. She was wrapped in a purple knit scarf tied in front with a pink ribbon, and her messy hair, now silver, was tied in a knot. loose braids to one side of the shoulder. Laurel felt an almost irresistible jolt of affection when she saw that her sister's braid was tied in a bun. This quote describes both Rose and Laurel, but gives the reader Laurel's thoughts. This quote shows that Laurel loves her sister (not only that, certain traits of the younger brother also attract love from him), indicating that he feels separated from the family. The description also depicts Rose as an absent-minded and feminine woman. She uses a bun wrapper for her hair, she wears a purple knit scarf. The words chosen evoke this description.
Step 2. Long-winded details don't mean they're good
Don't feel like you have to describe every detail of the person. You need to be specific enough to give the reader something the reader can imagine, but still leave a lot of imagination for the reader.
- Hemingway's brief description in this example could describe Catherine, and the narrator's interest in her: "She has beautiful hair and sometimes I lie down and watch her twist it in the light coming in from the open door, her hair even shines at night like water sometimes shines. just before noon."
- A rule of thumb for writing descriptions is to use no more than three senses. So when you have used sight, sound and smell, there is no need to bring in touch and taste. Of course this is just a guide, but it should still be considered.
Step 3. Show, don't tell
While telling isn't always bad, showing will help bring the description to life. In the example above, Tolkien doesn't say "Aragorn is dirty and doesn't want to be part of the crowd." Tolkien drew attention to the wear and tear of his clothes, the mud on his boots, and the way he sat in the corner with the hood over his face.
- An example of telling: "Margaret has red hair and is very tall. She doesn't like that and hopes people don't notice her, so she buys hair dye." The problem is that this description tells it all, without evoking anything. This description also does not vary the sentence. The two sentences have a similar rhythm.
- Now an example shows: "Margaret is taller than most people. She doesn't want to wear high heels, and when she walks she hunches her shoulders and lowers her head. Her fiery red hair doesn't help. in front of him, biting his nails." What happens here is that the reader feels Margaret's discomfort with herself, without needing to elaborate (pardon the pun). Active words are used: “bend”, “bowed”, “towered”, “stared”, “bites”. His actions are described. She won't wear high heels because she doesn't want to be noticed, which is impossible because of her height and hair color. The description gives the reader an idea of Margaret's appearance, as well as her personality.
Part 3 of 3: Editing Description
Step 1. Write more than one draft description
Your first draft will not be perfect. It might not even be that good. Does not matter! Rewrite several times.
- Try to avoid adverbs. These distracting words are often used when telling rather than showing. Your writing will be more powerful if you find other ways to express the emotion, or description, that is told in the adverb. Examples of adverbs: beautifully, slowly, quickly, furiously, pleasantly.
- Read your description aloud. Listening to your writing read aloud will help you to understand the rhythm of the writing, and help you to eliminate awkward phrases or odd wording.
- Ask a trusted friend or family member to read it and make suggestions. Your brain often doesn't notice errors, because you already know what the description should look like. Asking other people to read the description will also let you know if you've described someone well enough.
Step 2. Remember that the description should move the story
Readers will usually give up if the description goes on without including the story. Make sure you provide an inside view of the character, or the story in the description. By focusing on the following three things you will ensure that the description keeps the reader interested. Keep the following in mind when editing your description.
- Character motivation: Providing character motivation can give the reader something to imagine along with the description and to see how the person fits within the storyline. For example, Margaret's motivation in the paragraph above is that she will do whatever it takes to get noticed, such as coloring her hair.
- Specific details: Again, this has to be a balance between too much detail on one side and too little detail on the other. Margaret in the example above, is stooped, towering, lowers her head and has fiery red hair.
- A look within the character: What does the description reveal about the person being described? As for Margaret, she hated her height, didn't want people to notice her and she was also a worrier.
Step 3. Keep writing
The more you write, the better off you will be. So keep reading, analyzing and writing. It takes practice to be good at anything, so practice, practice, practice your description.
