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Sean Ng

PSLE English Composition: Using Your 5 Senses in Writing

Updated: Oct 4

PSLE Composition Writing - Paint

Writing is like painting with words. When you use your five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—you can transform a simple story into a vivid experience for your readers. Let's explore how sensory descriptions can breathe life into your compositions, how to show rather than tell, and how these techniques can improve your language marks.



1. Seeing the World Through Words

Sight is perhaps the most common sense used in writing, but it's crucial to go beyond the obvious. Instead of saying "the sky was blue," paint a picture with words: "The sky stretched out in a vast expanse of cerulean blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily."


Example:

Before: The garden was beautiful.

After: The garden was a riot of color, with roses in full bloom, their petals a brilliant crimson, while delicate butterflies danced among the flowers.


2. The Symphony of Sounds

Sound can evoke strong emotions and set the scene. Describe the soundscape around your characters to immerse your readers fully.

Example:

Before: It was noisy.

After: The marketplace buzzed with activity. Vendors shouted their wares, children laughed as they played, and the distant sound of a musician's flute added a melodic undertone to the cacophony.


3. The Scents of Storytelling

Smell is a powerful sense that can trigger memories and emotions. Use it to your advantage by describing scents that are relevant to your story.


Example:

Before: The kitchen was filled with a good smell.

After: The kitchen was filled with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked bread, mingling with the sharp scent of garlic and herbs from the simmering tomato sauce.


4. Tasting the Tale

Taste can be challenging to describe, but it's an excellent way to make your writing more vivid and relatable.


Example:

Before: The food was delicious.

After: Each bite of the chocolate cake was a burst of rich, velvety sweetness, with a hint of bitterness from the dark cocoa, melting smoothly on the tongue.


PSLE Composition Writing - Sensory Descriptions

5. The Texture of Touch

Touch brings a tactile dimension to your writing. Describe the textures your characters feel to create a tangible connection for your readers.


Example:

Before: The blanket was soft.

After: The blanket felt like a gentle embrace, its soft, fleece fabric warming her skin as she snuggled deeper into its comforting folds.


Show, Don’t Tell

The key to engaging writing is to show, not tell. Instead of telling the reader how a character feels, show their emotions through their actions, dialogue, and sensory experiences.


Example:

Before: She was scared.

After: Her hands trembled as she clutched the flashlight, the beam flickering wildly against the walls. Every creak and whisper in the darkened room sent a shiver down her spine.


Use These Elevation Writing Techniques to Improve Your Language Marks

Using sensory descriptions not only makes your writing more engaging but also demonstrates your command of language.


Here are a few tips to ensure you get the highest marks:

  • Be Specific: Vague descriptions won't make an impact. Use precise, vivid language to create clear images in the reader's mind.

  • Vary Your Vocabulary: Avoid repetition by using a wide range of adjectives and verbs. A thesaurus can be a helpful tool.

  • Balance Your Senses: While sight is often the most used, incorporating the other senses will enrich your writing.

  • Practice: Like any skill, improving your writing takes practice. Try describing different scenes or objects using all five senses when attempting composition writing practices on your own.


Learn to weave sensory details into your compositions to make your writing stand out. Not only will you make your stories more immersive and enjoyable, you will begin to enjoy the process of writing compositions.

Incorporate some of these tips in your PSLE Composition writing and see a huge change in your writing.


For our September PSLE Composition Workshop, click here.


Learn more about our weekly PSLE English revision classes here.

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