A good descriptive essay describes the content so well that it brings out the five senses; smell, touch, sight, taste and hearing. To achieve that, students must readily be equipped with fantastic descriptive phrases to facilitate their writing. These phrases are most easily adapted from novels or narrative texts.
I have collected a list of such phrases from books and narrative writings that I have come across. For students who are attempting descriptive essays or those preparing their PSLE, these phrases will be very useful to incorporate in your essay.
Descriptive phrases
- Multitudinous stirring of leaves
Describes how the leaves move, before an impending storm or when the wind blows
2. Trees swayed and strained
Describes how strong the wind is that trees are almost uprooted
3. Wind howled like a crying banshee
Describes the blowing of the wind to that of a howling ghost to emphasize creepiness
4. Air screamed as though it was packed with attacking demons
Describes the forceful nature of wind
5. Pelting down bullets of rain
Describes a heavy rainfall
6. Roofs of houses peeled away
Describe the destructive nature of a hurricane or tornado
7. Parting traffic like a knife
Describe how a vehicle, most likely an ambulance, navigates through heavy traffic during an emergency
8. Eyes dilated in terror
Describes a terrified look of a person
9. A spasm of terror ran through him
Describes how a person is overwhelmed by terror
10. Eyes crinkled up in a wide smile
Describes how a person’s face brightens up in joy
11. A mounting pressure of tears
Describes how a person is overwhelmed with emotions
12. Heart hammering in my chest
Describes the forceful beating of the heart
13. Body glistened with sweat
Describes the texture of the skin moist with sweat
14. Face tight with pain
Describes the expression of a person in pain
15. Heart leapt to my mouth
Describes how a person is so suddenly shocked
16. Multitude of colours
Describes a variety of colours