Place Description

Once a writer has become skilled at precise observation, and good at capturing the details which make for
unique description, the next goal is to be able to describe pointedly. This means, simply, to be able to offer
the reader the portrait of the object -- in this case a place -- which evokes the dominant impression the
writer wishes the description to evoke. If a writer wants the reader to ‘see’ a sunset over the Golden Gate
Bridge as beautiful and inspiring, he or she will attempt to present the description of this scene in just this
way; similarly, a writer may intend this same sunset to register as a sad moment, and will then present the
details of this scene in such a way as to evoke those emotions. Writers, when they describe, are usually
aiming to do more than merely render a clear portrait of a place; usually the intent is to render a portrait
which also evokes a feeling (as above, the description of the room was intended to capture its warmth).