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An adjective is a word that describes a noun or pronoun. These little descriptive modifiers provide information about the qualities, quantities, characteristics, or attributes of a person, place, thing, or idea. They make your writing more descriptive, interesting.
Many new writers tend to overuse adjectives, drowning their stories in unnecessary description. One of my early writings was turned down by a literary agent who, in a detailed letter, used numerous adjectives to illustrate his belief that my work contained an excessive amount of descriptive language. His feedback improved my storytelling. In this blog, let’s explore the power of adjectives, how to use them effectively, and how to avoid adjective overload save your story from drowning.
To begin with, it’s important to know the three main types of adjectives: descriptive adjectives, which describe the qualities, characteristics, or attributes of a noun or pronoun; things like the red car, a happy child, or the tall building. Next, are quantitative adjectives which describe the quantity or amount of a noun. These can be either specific or general. Three apples. Some people. Many books. Lastly, there are demonstrative adjectives: this, that, these, and those. Demonstrative adjectives are used to point out or identify specific nouns: This book is mine; these cookies taste delicious; that house is haunted.
The first rule in storytelling is ‘Show, Don’t Tell,’ which is crucial when using adjectives. Nobody cares about “the old, rickety house on the hill.” However, “a house perched on a hill like a vulture over the dying town, its paint peeling away in long, ragged strips that resembled decaying meat” is instantly enticing. Tell me more by describing the house’s appearance, sounds, smells, how it feels, and how it makes your character feel. Now I’m interested in reading on.
Engage your reader’s senses with vivid descriptions. Using strong verbs is so much more evocative than simple adjectives. “The girl walked slowly carrying an ax,” does nothing to spark my interest in her as a character, nor her circumstance but if “the girl trudged through the thick mud dragging an ax streaked with crimson violence,” I’ll grab a cuppa, curl up on the couch and excitedly read on, wholly invested.
Not all adjectives are created equal. The adjectives you choose can make or break your writing, so select those that are precise, vivid, and relevant. Use strong adjectives to create rich imagery and engage the reader’s senses like, “The imposing mansion perched atop the verdant knoll”. Weak adjectives are those that are vague, overused, or don’t add much depth to your description. “The big house stood on a hill” is a yawn-fest for this reader.
Use adjectives sparingly, adding them only when they are essential to the description. “The house, with its boarded windows and porch, appeared a forgotten relic” is way more effective than “The house was old.” Also, avoid using multiple adjectives that mean the same thing. “The big, large, enormous tree” can simply be, “The enormous tree.”
In some situations, the use of adjectives is essential for clarity and specificity. “The vehicle sped down the road.” (Yawn). But, “The rusty, dented pickup truck roared down the desert highway” paints a much more vivid picture, allowing us to imagine the type of vehicle, its condition, the type of road it’s on, and the overall atmosphere of the scene.
To determine whether an adjective is necessary, ask yourself if it provides essential information or contributes to the desired tone of your narrative. If removing the adjective doesn’t change the core meaning of the sentence, or weaken its impact, you might think about omitting it. By being selective and intentional with your adjective choices, your writing will be more expressive and concise.
Adjectives establish a specific tone or atmosphere in your writing. By carefully selecting descriptive words, you can convey emotions, set the mood, or emphasize certain qualities. If I describe a character’s smile as “warm and inviting”, I’m suggesting a friendly and approachable demeanor. Depicting a room as “dark and eerie” creates a sense of forbode or mystery. The right adjectives will impact your readers, giving them the desired response to your story.
To avoid overusing adjectives, rely on strong nouns and verbs for vivid descriptions.
Do your best to limit adjectives per sentence to one or two; this will force you to choose the most essential words. Try to use descriptive phrases instead of adjectives to paint a picture in the reader’s mind (rather than saying “the beautiful sunset,” you could claim, “the sky was aflame, as if the day’s final breath had ignited a blaze of oranges, pinks, and purples that danced across the horizon.”. Show your reader through action, dialogue, and sensory details. Use adjectives to create contrast, vary them to avoid repetition, and employ figurative language like metaphors and similes to add depth to your descriptions.
Always read your work aloud to yourself and listen for how your sentences flow. If you hear too many adjectives, consider cutting some out. Have others read your work and seek feedback on areas with unnecessary description.
Adjectives are powerful tools in a writer’s arsenal, but they require careful handling. By using them judiciously and creatively, you can elevate your writing from mundane to memorable. Remember, the key is balance—use adjectives to enhance your narrative, but always ensure they serve a clear purpose. With practice and awareness, you’ll develop an intuitive sense of when and how to use these descriptive words to their fullest potential, creating narratives that will captivate your readers.
~Dani
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