Lecture Notes on Sensory Language

Summary

In this lesson, we explored the concept of sensory language and its importance in vividly describing experiences in writing. Sensory language refers to words that relate to the five senses (touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste), allowing the reader to feel more immersed in the narrative.

Key Points from the Lecture

Definition and Importance of Sensory Language

• Sensory Language: Words that connect the reader to the five senses, making the experience feel realistic.
• It adds depth to writing, making it more engaging and relatable.

Examples and Details of Sensory Language by Sense

Touch

• Descriptive terms related to touch: soft, fuzzy, cushiony, smooth, silky, prickly, spiky, thorny, sharp, rough.
• Keywords indicating touch: feels, felt, to the touch.

Sight

• Sight-related words often overlap with touch descriptors but are identified by different context words.
• Keywords indicating sight: saw, see, spy, appear, looks like.

Sound

• Examples: phones ring, dogs bark, snakes hiss, babies cry, wolves howl.
• Sound is what is heard with the ears.

Smell

• Descriptive terms regarding smell: sour, stinky, sweaty, ripe, rotten, repulsive, clean, fresh, flowery, lemony, sweet.
• Keywords indicating smell: smells like, the smell of.

Taste

• Many descriptors for taste overlap with smell descriptors.
• Keywords indicating taste: tastes like, the taste of.

Practical Application in Descriptive Writing

• Sensory language is crucial in narrative and descriptive writing to enhance the reader-experience and engagement.
• Through an example story about a camping trip, we discerned the notable difference in reader engagement between bland descriptions and sensory-enriched writing.

Two Versions of a Story

1. First Version (lacking sensory language):

   • Simple, factual statements like "there was a tree" or "we saw a bear," which do not vividly paint a picture or evoke imagination.

2. Second Version (with sensory language):

   • Rich descriptions: "towering green pine trees," "sweet smell of the pines," "soft whistling of the birds," "sizzled bacon," "soft babble of the flowing water."
   • These descriptions allow the reader to visualize the scene, hear the sounds, and even taste and smell the described elements.

Conclusion

• The use of sensory language transforms writing from mere statements to vivid, immersive experiences.
• Practicing the integration of sensory details can greatly improve the quality of narrative and descriptive writing.

Call to Action

• Continue practicing the use of sensory language in various writing contexts.
• Engage with more materials and examples to hone your descriptive writing skills.

These notes should help clarify the use of sensory language and guide you on how to effectively employ it in your writing. Remember, the goal is to engage the reader’s senses and enhance the reading experience.