Lesson 12 Sensory Language in Writing Sensory language

Lesson 12 Sensory Language in Writing

Sensory language consists of words that transport your reader from reading a narrative to experiencing it.

Sensory language consists of words that transport your reader from reading a narrative to experiencing it. Sensory words are like a color palette that paints the narrative for the reader.

They help the reader

They help the reader See the characters, setting, and actions

They help the reader See the characters, setting, and actions Feel parts of the setting and important objects

They help the reader See the characters, setting, and actions Feel parts of the setting and important objects Smell all of the aromas

They help the reader See the characters, setting, and actions Feel parts of the setting and important objects Smell all of the aromas Taste all of the flavors

They help the reader See the characters, setting, and actions Feel parts of the setting and important objects Smell all of the aromas Taste all of the flavors Hear all of the sounds

These are words that describe all five senses.

As you write, ask yourself, What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you smell? What do you taste?

Here are some sample sensory words. Sight Sound Touch Taste Smell Brilliant Clamor Cool Bland Foul Dingy Hiss Dusty Creamy Perfumed Gloomy Mumble Fluffy Gingery Putrid Shadowy Rant Gooey Nauseating Spicy Striped Squeal Prickly Peppery Sweet Tarnished Thud Slippery Rotten Rancid Twinkling Whimper Velvety Scrumptious Musty

Exercise 1

The following excerpt is from a response to literature.

The following excerpt is from a response to literature. • Revise and improve it by adding sensory language.

The following excerpt is from a response to literature. • Revise and improve it by adding sensory language. • Your teacher will show you a possible revision after you have made your revision.

The following excerpt is from a response to literature. • Revise and improve it by adding sensory language. • Your teacher will show you a possible revision after you have made your revision. • Your teacher will pause the Power. Point for you to complete this exercise.

The following excerpt is from a response to literature. • Revise and improve it by adding sensory language. • Your teacher will show you a possible revision after you have made your revision. • Your teacher will pause the Power. Point for you to complete this exercise. • Feel free to rearrange the words and sentences as you revise it.

The following excerpt is from a response to literature. • Revise and improve it by adding sensory language. • Your teacher will show you a possible revision after you have made your revision. • Your teacher will pause the Power. Point for you to complete this exercise. • Feel free to rearrange the words and sentences as you revise it. Excerpt I could feel the sun as I ran from the gun shots that were fired in the middle of the street. I didn’t know what happened. I just heard shots and then I ran and never looked back. I didn’t even know where I was going.

Raise your hand share your work with the class.

Possible Revision Sensory words are in red and bolded.

Possible Revision Sensory words are in red and bolded. I could feel the sun baking my face as I ran so fast that my heart was about to pound out of my chest! I could almost taste the bitter gun powder from the terrifying shots that rang out in the street. Blood littered the street as I continued to run, not even knowing where I was going.

Exercise 2

If this were the setting of your story… what sensory words might you use to describe it?

Raise your hand share your work with the class.

If this creature were a character in your narrative, what sensory words might you use to describe it?

Raise your hand share your work with the class.

If this picture-worthy image were in your narrative, what sensory words might you use to describe it?

Raise your hand share your work with the class.

Now add sensory words to your response to literature.