Definition
Description selects concrete sensory details that help the reader imagine place, character, and mood. In scene craft, it works best when filtered through viewpoint and tied to what matters in the moment.
Example
The stairwell smelled of wet dog and bleach tells us about neglect and recent cleaning more than a list of every fixture would.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Stopping forward motion for a block of description unrelated to conflict or character desire.
- Listing visual details only and ignoring sound, smell, texture, and temperature.