Selecting and Organizing Details

Sometimes, when you are going out, you choose everything you wear just to create a certain effect. You decide between a T-shirt and shirt with buttons, or between a flashy belt and a plain one. You do the same kind of thing when you try to create a particular feeling or mood in a description. You use some details and leave out others. For example, if you want to show that the park was gloomy and depressing, you probably won't include details about the beautiful rose garden.

After you have chosen your details, you need to think about how to put them together. Here are two of the many ways you can arrange descriptive details:

Spatial Order: Arrange details by location--good for describing places and objects.

From top to bottom or bottom to top

From near to far or far to near

From left to right or right to left

Order of Importance: Arrange details by the importance you want to give them--good for describing people and animals.

From least to most important

From most to least important

You don;t have to use one of these organizations. Sometimes a description just won't work that way. However, it is important that you create a clear picture for your readers.

Just a Reminder:

When you plan a description, collect details by observing, recalling, or imagining.

Select details that will help you create a special feeling

Decide the best way to organize the details.