Page 6 Descriptive Writing

Physical Points of View

Notice the position of these points of view may vary from far away to near the object. Some points of view are exterior, but others are interior to the object. A descriptive piece may move in position up and down, side to side, or from the foreground to the background of the image.

Ask yourself, "What did you notice first in the image?" At times, descriptive paragraphs are organized from general (size, shape, colour) to specific. Items in the picture are discussed spatially (by location) or topically (by item). At other times, descriptive paragraphs are organized from a specific item that captures your interest at the centre of the image to the general picture surrounding the item.

Descriptive writing usually ends with the impression the image leaves such as comfort, convenience, conflict, noise, or hope. Lastly, description is established through effect. For example, how does the coldness of the scene affect you or others? The intensity of a conflict may be established by a dog leaving the room, for example.

The old fence stands weathered and tired. It has been holding cattle in the field ever since the farmer put it up. The cows have occasionally tried to break through, but they have lost their battles; only the small yearlings have been able to squeeze under the fence.

Note how the writer immediately establishes the subject: a fence that keeps out cows. The writer provides focus with the word “tired”.   The remainder of the paragraph describes why the fence is tired. The beginning is general.

The poles stand rotten and weary; they are lined up in a sporadic order. The spaces between are not always equal and their heights differ greatly. Some have pulled loose from their holes, and they are held up only by the line of barbed wire that clings to their hide. The line of fence looks much like a parade of weary, beaten soldiers who have been defeated in battle and are lining up for their last breath of honor before they are shot and killed.

The second paragraph describes the fence in more detail.  Notice the simile in the last sentence.

In several places on the fence the barbed wire has been cut or bent out of shape. But neither the rain and rust nor the cattle's fury has made the wire calm or dangerous. Sharp, erect pins still show their warning of power; many times they have acted as a catalyst between the cows and their angered emotions.

The third and fourth paragraphs focus on power of elements such as rain, rust, and angry cows.

Even though the fence is old and historical, it will not last very long because there is a new owner. He is a man of power and wealth who has big plans, a man too high to care for the cattle or the soil, a man whose only dream is riches.

In the conclusion, the fence is too tired to withstand the power of a rich man. The impression left with the reader is that the fence is a victim of greed.