jungle description for creative writing

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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Setting Description Entry: Forest

August 23, 2008 by BECCA PUGLISI

green, brown, dead fall, fallen trees, logs, branches, twigs, fallen leaves, ferns, underbrush, moss, brambles, thickets, ivy, berry bushes, pine needles, pine cones, acorns, insects, rabbits, birds, squirrels, lizards, mice, foxes, spider webs, deer, sun-dappled, shady, shafts…

Sounds branches creaking, feet shuffling through detritus, squirrels chattering, leaves rustling, wind whistling around trunks/disturbing the leaves, birds singing, insects humming/ churring, rustle of animals rooting in underbrush, scrabbling of lizards on tree bark, limbs..

Smells tree smells (pine, etc), wildflowers, earthy smell, animal scents, rotting wood, fresh, stale, dry, damp, wet, scents on the wind from nearby places (water, wood smoke, ocean), wild mint/herbs, decay (bogs, stagnant pools of water, dead animals), skunks, skunk weed…

Tastes earthy air, sweet/sour berries, nuts, mushrooms, wild onions, seeds, bitter, mint, gritty, mealy, meaty, relish, savor, sample, salty, acidic, sweet, flavorful, sour, tart, flavorless, swallow, mild, nutty, relish…

Touch rough tree bark, kiss of falling leaves, branches slapping, uneven ground, knobby roots underfoot, sticky sap, underbrush that tangles/grabs, prickle of briars, slick leaves, twigs snagging at hair/scratching face, tickle of hanging moss, spider web strands on skin, soft…

Helpful hints:

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1: I lifted my face, letting the light and shadow dance across my skin. Bees hummed in and out of the pennyroyal. I inhaled its minty smell and continued on, delighting in the sound of my feet sliding through the leaves.

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Simile) The trees lashed and crashed against each other like drum sticks in the hands of a giant…

Does your setting take place at night? Check out this similar Entry: WOODS AT NIGHT

Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers

Setting is much more than just a backdrop, which is why choosing the right one and describing it well is so important. To help with this, we have expanded and integrated this thesaurus into our online library at One Stop For Writers . Each entry has been enhanced to include possible sources of conflict , people commonly found in these locales , and setting-specific notes and tips , and the collection itself has been augmented to include a whopping 230 entries—all of which have been cross-referenced with our other thesauruses for easy searchability. So if you’re interested in seeing a free sample of this powerful Setting Thesaurus, head on over and register at One Stop.

On the other hand, if you prefer your references in book form, we’ve got you covered, too, because both books are now available for purchase in digital and print copies . In addition to the entries, each book contains instructional front matter to help you maximize your settings. With advice on topics like making your setting do double duty and using figurative language to bring them to life, these books offer ample information to help you maximize your settings and write them effectively.

Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers —a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

October 11, 2021 at 6:06 am

That helped me a lot!

October 7, 2021 at 2:08 pm

I love descriptive writing but can you help me to write a forest setting description?

February 26, 2021 at 10:01 am

Thank you for this great help…☺️☺️

February 23, 2021 at 4:37 am

Thanks this helped a lot!

January 19, 2021 at 1:39 am

Lovely book, It helped me a lot thanks

August 19, 2020 at 10:54 pm

Are you lovely ladies planning to put these descriptions into an ebook? I’m enjoying all seven of your thesaurus books.

August 20, 2020 at 8:13 am

Hi, Michelle! I’m so glad you’re enjoying our books. Are you asking when the setting thesaurus is going to be turned into a book? If so, you’ll be happy to know that those books are published and available. You can find ebook information on our Bookstore page. https://writershelpingwriters.net/bookstore/

If you have other questions or need to clarify anything, just let us know!

July 13, 2020 at 8:35 pm

OMG! This is powerful. God bless you richly. Please ma, can you help me to proofread my short fiction. I’m begging in the name of God. I have written a short fiction, but no one to help me to proofread it. [email protected] . Thanks in anticipation.

July 14, 2020 at 10:44 am

Sorry, we are unable to do that, but if you join a writing group or have a good critique partner, they should be able to help you. Good luck and all the best. 🙂

May 21, 2020 at 4:59 pm

amazing thankyou so much 🙂

March 11, 2020 at 3:19 pm

thanks! these will help a lot with the forested settings in my book series: the elemental masters.

June 26, 2020 at 5:42 am

Oh wow, your books are absolutely amazing. I’ve read all of them

March 9, 2020 at 1:50 am

Thank you for this, however, could you also do the same setting description based on the setting of a beach? That would be extremely helpful for me. THank yoU!

March 7, 2020 at 10:28 pm

Hi, this is extremely helpful, but could you make another setting description, the same as this one, except about a beach scene? That would be super helpful for me. Thanks!

March 8, 2020 at 1:56 pm

Hi, Stacey! We actually do have a Beach entry. You can find it here: https://writershelpingwriters.net/2008/09/setting-thesaurus-entry-beach/ . And our TOC also contains a list of the entries you can find here: https://writershelpingwriters.net/occupation-thesaurus/

But if you’re looking for settings that we don’t have, you might consider checking out our website, One Stop for Writers. All of our thesaurus collection are there, and most of them have been expanded to include additional entries. For instance, here is the complete list of setting entries you can find at One Stop: https://onestopforwriters.com/scene_settings

Best of luck to you!

March 9, 2020 at 5:47 am

Thank you so much Becca, i just really appreciate it, i love the websites you gave me and it is simply WONDERFUL!!!

March 6, 2020 at 3:12 am

This is wonderful, thank you! Very helpful!

October 24, 2019 at 6:10 am

IT FANTASTIC

January 1, 2019 at 7:15 pm

this really helped me. thank you lol 🙂

July 12, 2017 at 1:21 pm

I am helping a friend open a bar in a small town…the lifestyle here is of the following: Fishing, boating on our two rivers….Wabash and Tippecanoe and hunting deer. Cannot come up with a name to incorporate both of the passions our customers would enjoy. I have gone to your description setting entry for ideas…but just can not gel together this duo!!! Help?

July 12, 2017 at 8:00 pm

Hi, Patti. I’m sorry, but I’m not clear on what you’re after. Are you looking for help coming up with a name for a fictional town?

October 5, 2014 at 2:41 am

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL WORK. MY DAUGHTER WILL HAVE A GOOD RESOURCE OF DESCRIBING WORDS.

February 29, 2012 at 1:40 pm

Thank you so much for this! I have been struggling with my forest scenes for the longest time, stuck on the same small handful of descriptors–this is brilliant. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

May 1, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Thank you very much for these amazing words! keep the work up!

March 7, 2011 at 7:54 am

Thank you so much. These beautiful words makes picturing a scene extremely easy.

February 1, 2011 at 2:13 pm

I absaloutly loved thease words i really needed them to help me get my English paper to life

January 25, 2011 at 6:47 am

It’s a great Help for me. I was looking for such post that could give some interesting wording to describe a greenery and forest scene.

Thank you very much 🙂

April 7, 2010 at 6:13 am

I showed my teacher and she said you rocked. Thank you 🙂

March 26, 2010 at 2:52 pm

Great help for my book! Thank you!

December 13, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Thanks. Great Guide for a descriptive piece of writing A*

December 11, 2009 at 12:26 am

Creatively helpful , specially to beginning writers like me. Thanks for this web.

October 2, 2009 at 10:38 am

very helpful thanxx cood u include more sentance exxampils thanx that wood be helpful! miss m

September 23, 2009 at 11:35 am

April 21, 2009 at 8:29 pm

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!! Just what I am writing about!!! THANKS!!!!!!!

August 24, 2008 at 1:17 pm

Thanks for the kind words. When Angela and I started this blog, one of our main goals was to keep it relevant to writers. Glad to know we’re doing alright on that front :).

August 24, 2008 at 12:07 pm

This is fabulous!! I love it!

August 23, 2008 at 8:02 pm

Angela and Becca, you one-hit wonders, you’ve done it again! You’re very good at relating to the reader (and making it easy on the writer).

August 23, 2008 at 5:51 pm

Great job. And I really like the drumsticks simile.

August 23, 2008 at 10:45 am

So perfect! Thanks! I love the simile and metaphor section!

[…] Forest […]

[…] is a forest entry already, but I think that at night the woods can be an entirely different setting, full of mystery […]

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20+ Best Words to Describe Jungle, Adjectives for Jungle

The jungle, an enchanting and vibrant ecosystem, is a dense and lush forest teeming with life. This captivating wilderness is characterized by its thick vegetation, towering trees, and an abundance of diverse plant and animal species. Exploring the jungle is like entering a world of awe-inspiring beauty and untamed wilderness. Words that come to mind when describing the jungle include exotic, mysterious, vibrant, lush, untamed, and captivating. Let’s embark on a journey through the jungle and delve deeper into its captivating essence.

Table of Contents

Adjectives for Jungle

Here are the 20 Most Popular adjectives for jungle:

• Impenetrable

Adjectives for Jungle Animals:

• Camouflaged

Adjectives for Jungle Safari:

• Adventurous
• Exhilarating
• Unforgettable
• Educational
• Breathtaking
• Transformative

Words to Describe Jungle with Meanings

• Dense : Thickly packed or closely compacted.
• Enchanting : Captivating and magical in a delightful way.
• Exotic : Intriguingly foreign and unfamiliar.
• Green : Covered with lush vegetation or foliage.
• Humid : Moist or damp with high humidity.
• Impenetrable : Impossible to enter or pass through.
• Lush : Luxuriant and abundant in growth.
• Mysterious : Full of intrigue and enigma.
• Pristine : Immaculately pure and untouched.
• Serene : Calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
• Teeming : Abundantly filled or swarming with life.
• Thriving : Flourishing and prospering vigorously.
• Tropical : Relating to or characteristic of the tropics.
• Untamed : Not domesticated or controlled by humans.
• Vibrant : Full of life, energy, and color.
• Vast : Extremely large or extensive in area.
• Verdant : Green with flourishing vegetation.
• Wild : In a natural state; not cultivated.
• Wondrous : Inspiring a sense of wonder and awe.

Example Sentences for Jungle Adjectives

• The dense jungle canopy blocked out most of the sunlight.
• The enchanting sounds of wildlife-filled the air.
• We marveled at the exotic birds with vibrant plumage.
• The hikers trekked through the green foliage of the jungle.
• The humid climate made our clothes stick to our bodies.
• The explorers gave up on the impenetrable thicket and turned back.
• The river flowed through a lush valley in the jungle.
• The ancient ruins held a mysterious allure.
• The untouched forest was a pristine sanctuary of nature.
• The tranquil lake provided a serene escape from reality.
• The jungle was teeming with monkeys, snakes, and insects.
• The plants and animals were thriving in their natural habitat.
• The travelers marveled at the tropical flowers and plants.
• We encountered an untamed tiger during our safari.
• The marketplace in the village was vibrant and bustling.
• The explorers set out to traverse the vast jungle expanse.
• The verdant leaves of the jungle created a cool oasis.
• The expedition aimed to study the wild animals’ behavior.
• The explorers were captivated by the wondrous sights.
• The dense undergrowth made it difficult to navigate.

Explore More Words:

Words to Describe a Forest

Words to Describe Leaves

How to describe the jungle in writing?

The jungle is a captivating and vibrant ecosystem characterized by dense vegetation, towering trees, and a diverse array of plant and animal species.

What is a sentence for the jungle?

The explorers ventured deep into the jungle, surrounded by the sounds of wildlife and the lushness of the dense foliage.

What does jungle mean in life?

In life, the term “jungle” is often used metaphorically to describe a competitive, unpredictable, and challenging environment where individuals must navigate and adapt to survive.

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About the author.

Hi, I'm USMI, engdic.org's Author & Lifestyle Linguist. My decade-long journey in language and lifestyle curation fuels my passion for weaving words into everyday life. Join me in exploring the dynamic interplay between English and our diverse lifestyles. Dive into my latest insights, where language enriches every aspect of living.

32 Jungle Story Ideas and Prompts

Alrighty, jungle fans !

Feeling the call of the wild?

Craving a story that’ll whisk you away to a place teeming with life (and maybe a few dangers)?

Our epic jungle story ideas will do the justice .

From mystical creatures to lost explorers, this list has something for every kind of jungle adventurer.

Let’s go.

Jungle Story Ideas

• Deep within the heart of the jungle, a group of archeologists stumbles upon the remains of a previously unknown ancient civilization. As they delve deeper , they discover that the people of this civilization had achieved advancements that defy explanation. Their discoveries, however, are overshadowed by the realization that some practices and traditions from this civilization are eerily similar to those of modern society, challenging their perceptions of history and progress. This tale serves as a reflection on the cyclic nature of history and the interconnectedness of cultures .
• A city dweller, feeling disillusioned with the monotony of urban life, decides to spend a year living in the jungle. Throughout his journey, he learns the intricate balance of life in the wild – how every creature and plant has its purpose. As he integrates with a local tribe, he understands that humanity’s true success lies in coexisting with nature rather than exploiting it. This story emphasizes the importance of balance, respect , and sustainability.
• Local legends speak of a mysterious , ancient tree said to hold the memories of the entire jungle. A young girl with a deep connection to nature sets out to find this tree, hoping to hear its tales and wisdom. Through the tree’s stories, she learns of the challenges, triumphs, and tragedies the jungle has witnessed over millennia. Her journey symbolizes the quest for understanding and the deep connection between past and present.
• Birds in a particular region of the jungle have begun to vanish, leading to an eerie silence . A passionate ornithologist pairs with a local guide to unravel the mystery . As they delve deeper, they uncover a complex web of ecological changes , poaching, and local beliefs. Their adventure sheds light on the delicate balance of nature and the consequences of human interference.
• After a tragic incident, a renowned doctor loses faith in modern medicine and embarks on a journey into the jungle, hearing tales of a healer who uses ancient methods. She discovers not just the healer but a world of natural remedies, holistic approaches, and spiritual healing. Her transformation highlights the bond between humans and nature and the vast medicinal knowledge that the modern world often overlooks.
• Deep in the jungle, a unique beast is rumored to exist, not known for its ferocity, but its wisdom. An old photographer, nearing the end of his career , embarks on a mission to capture this elusive creature on film . Through his journey, he not only discovers the creature but also unravels tales of its role in maintaining the balance of the jungle ecosystem. This narrative showcases the idea that legends often hold a grain of truth and the need to respect and protect the mysteries of our world.
• An aging war veteran returns to a jungle where he was once stationed, hoping to find peace and reconcile with his past. As he traverses the dense foliage, memories come flooding back, mingling with the sounds, sights, and smells of the jungle. Encounters with the local fauna and flora make him realize the healing power of nature and its ability to offer solace to tormented souls. This poignant tale underscores the therapeutic potential of nature and the necessity of confronting one ’s past.
• The jungle is known for its vibrant day, but it’s the night that holds the true magic . A researcher, fascinated by nocturnal creatures, decides to document the jungle after dark . As she immerses herself in the world of bioluminescence, moonlit dances, and mysterious nocturnal rituals, she learns that even in the darkest corners, there is beauty to be found. This story serves as a reminder that beauty exists everywhere, even in places we least expect.
• The lifeblood of the jungle, a once mighty river, begins to wither and dry. A curious ecologist teams up with an indigenous storyteller to understand both the scientific and ancestral reasons behind the change. Their journey reveals the intricate relationship between human communities , ancestral legends, and the environment. The tale underscores that environmental issues are as much about human stories as they are about nature.
• Amidst the dense jungle, there’s a clearing that’s never seen daylight. Legends say it’s kissed only by the moon’s silver light. A young explorer, drawn by these tales, discovers nocturnal blooms and creatures unknown to science. The moonlit sanctuary is a haven but also vulnerable to those who might exploit its uniqueness. The narrative emphasizes the fragile beauty of untouched realms and the ethical dilemmas of discovery.
• Hidden within the jungle are stone pillars covered in intricate carvings, which, when struck, produce melodious sounds. A musicologist, eager to understand the origin of these musical stones, learns of their significance in ancient rituals. But as modernity encroaches, the sounds are fading, echoing the loss of traditional practices. This story emphasizes the preservation of cultural heritage amidst changing times.
• Growing up among the treetops, a girl from a tribe unknown to the world below dreams of the earth beneath the thick canopy. Her descent becomes a rite of passage, revealing the diverse layers of jungle life and the need to understand and protect each layer. Her exploration symbolizes the intricate layers of understanding and appreciation we must navigate in life.
• The jungle, with its beauty, also harbors dark secrets . When a series of unexplained events threaten the harmony of jungle life, a detective with a troubled past is called upon. Using ancient tribal wisdom and modern forensics, the detective unveils a sinister plot affecting both man and beast. The tale showcases that even in paradise, there’s a constant battle between good and evil.
• There exists a rare flower in the jungle, said to allow those who consume it the ability to weave and control dreams. A young boy, desperate to change his recurring nightmare , sets out to find this flower, encountering various challenges that test his determination, morals, and understanding of reality. This tale delves into the blurred lines between dreams and reality, emphasizing that confronting one’s fears is the true path to liberation.
• Tales of a tribe that vanished overnight have been passed down for generations. An ambitious journalist , hungry for a groundbreaking story, ventures into the jungle to uncover the truth. What she finds, however, isn’t just a tribe but a way of life deeply in tune with the rhythms of nature. The story highlights the transient nature of existence and the timeless connection between man and nature.
• A meteorite crashes deep within the jungle, and its impact starts influencing the flora and fauna in mystifying ways. An interdisciplinary team – consisting of an astrophysicist, a biologist, and an anthropologist – explores the changes, realizing that the meteorite isn’t just a rock but a repository of cosmic knowledge. The narrative underscores that the universe ’s mysteries can manifest in the most unexpected places, urging us to always remain curious.
• Deep in the jungle lies a temple covered in vines and overgrowth. Locals believe it to be cursed and avoid it. When an earthquake uncovers its entrance, a young anthropologist and a courageous guide venture inside, only to find intricate traps and riddles. As they navigate the challenges, they uncover tales of a civilization that once thrived by harnessing the power of nature. The adventure reminds readers of the eternal dance between man, myth , and Mother Nature.
• Every morning, a unique bird sings a hauntingly beautiful song . Over time, a village elder realizes the bird’s song is a warning, mirroring the subtle changes in the jungle’s balance. Determined to understand the message, a group of villagers embarks on a journey, uncovering secrets about their jungle’s delicate ecosystem. This story emphasizes the importance of listening to nature’s subtle signals before it’s too late.
• A dense fog that never lifts shrouds a particular part of the jungle. Those who enter never return. A brave botanist, drawn by tales of unique flora within, enters and finds not just plants, but a parallel realm where time flows differently. The journey becomes a race against time to return home , teaching her the value of moments and memories. This narrative blurs the lines between reality and fantasy , illustrating that the real treasures in life are intangible.
• After a landslide, an underground network of tunnels is revealed. These aren’t just any tunnels – they’re alive, with walls that pulse and breathe. A team of spelunkers and biologists discovers an ecosystem thriving in total darkness, reliant on a unique energy source. As they delve deeper, they realize the jungle itself is alive, interconnected in ways previously unimaginable. The story emphasizes that mysteries await even beneath our feet, challenging our understanding of life.
• An old man, known as the Jungle’s Librarian, has a hut filled with scrolls documenting the jungle’s stories. When a wildfire threatens his collection, animals and humans unite to protect the legacy . The event becomes a testament to the importance of shared histories and the collective effort required to preserve them. The tale spotlights the power of unity and the importance of safeguarding shared legacies.
• In a secluded part of the jungle, a grove exists where trees bear fruit only once in a lifetime. A young girl, seeking a cure for her ailing mother, believes the fruit is the answer. She faces not just physical challenges but riddles that test her wisdom and understanding of life. Her quest symbolizes the lengths one will go for love and the profound lessons nature imparts.
• Every decade, fireflies in a specific jungle region synchronize their lights in a mesmerizing display. A scientist and a local dancer, both drawn to the phenomenon for different reasons, collaborate to understand its significance. They uncover a combination of science and ancient ritual, realizing that nature often intertwines logic with magic. The story celebrates the harmonious blend of tradition and science, revealing the enchantment in their intersection.
• A pilot crash-lands in an uncharted part of the jungle, only to find a society untouched by modern civilization. While trying to find a way back, he learns of their unique relationship with time, where days can feel like minutes and vice versa. As he adapts to their pace, he grapples with the concept of time’s relativity and the importance of living in the moment. This narrative prompts readers to question our societal constructs of time and the essence of living fully.
• Deep within the jungle, nocturnal animals start acting out of character , congregating at a particular glade every night. An ethologist, specialized in animal behavior, teams up with a local shaman to decode this anomaly. Together, they unveil an ancient celestial event that affects the very essence of the jungle’s night creatures. This story delves into the interconnectedness of the cosmos and Earth, highlighting nature’s boundless wonders.
• A tree, unlike any other, stands tall in the jungle, its leaves producing whispered tales when rustled by the wind. A linguist, hearing rumors of this tree, sets out to understand its language , only to realize the whispers are memories of the jungle’s past. As deforestation looms, the urgency to decipher and document these tales becomes paramount. The narrative underscores the importance of memory, history, and the urgency of environmental preservation.
• At the heart of the jungle, there’s a lake so still and clear, it’s said to be a portal to another realm. A daring explorer, reflecting on his own life choices, ventures to the lake and experiences visions of alternative life paths. The jungle, in its mysterious ways, offers him insights into choices and their consequences. This tale explores the profound theme of reflection, choices, and the paths not taken.
• Once every century, a rare serpent emerges to perform a silent, mesmerizing dance that is believed to rejuvenate the jungle’s spirit. A filmmaker, eager to capture this elusive event, becomes deeply entwined in the jungle’s rhythms and the serpent’s lore. Through his lens, the story captures the eternal dance of life, death , and rebirth. The narrative accentuates the cyclical nature of existence and nature’s delicate ballet.
• A perpetual mist covers a secluded valley in the jungle, hiding it from the outside world. An adventurous botanist, drawn by tales of unseen flora, ventures into the mist. Inside, she discovers not just new plant species but a realm where plants communicate , protect, and nurture one another in an intricate network. The tale magnifies the often-overlooked intelligence and connectivity of plant life.
• Legends speak of a golden fruit in the jungle that grants wisdom and insight. A skeptical scientist and a believer set out together in search, finding not just the fruit, but also animal guardians tasked with protecting it from those with ill intentions. Their quest becomes not just about the fruit, but understanding its true purpose. This narrative poses profound questions about knowledge, power, and responsibility .
• Every evening, as dusk sets in, shadows in a particular grove come alive, enacting scenes from the jungle’s day. An artist , inspired by these shadow plays, immerses herself in the grove, discovering that the shadows tell not just daily tales but also ancient stories long forgotten. The story emphasizes the importance of observation, interpretation, and the transient nature of life’s moments.
• An ancient tree in the jungle is said to have rings that don’t just mark years, but significant events in the history of the Earth. A dendrochronologist, intrigued by this claim, embarks on a journey to study the tree, unraveling tales of evolution, extinctions, and survival encoded in its rings. The tale celebrates the intricate tapestry of time, evolution, and the silent testimony of nature.

Founder and Chief Content Curator @ Digital Phrases

I'm a writer, words are my superpower, and storytelling is my kryptonite.

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50 Jungle Adventure Writing Prompts

December 11, 2023 by Richard Leave a Comment

Here are 50 Jungle Adventure Writing Prompts that can take your imagination deep in the jungle. The lush green canopy beckons you deeper into undiscovered territory brimming with wonder and danger in equal measure. Prepare for thrilling expeditions through ancient ruins, close encounters with mysterious beasts, and imaginative worlds hidden within the untamed rainforest when you explore these 25 jungle adventure writing prompts!

Whether you crave wielding magical artifacts that defy reality, joining the high-stakes hunt stopping criminal enterprises threatening rare wildlife, or roleplaying as an intrepid documentarian risking it all to showcase vanishing ecosystems, you’ll find story ideas to spark your wildest jungle fantasies. Weave tales of cursed ancient civilizations, evolutionary experiments gone awry, portals to dinosaur dimensions, and more as you venture down these storytelling trails where truth collides with jungle legends.

So pack your imagination’s bug spray and machete to brave the wilderness where creativity takes root and flourishes. The verdant words await to envelop you in rainforest reveries! Let the story seeds in this blog post germinate epic yarns as you cultivate mystifying jungle tales wrapped in morning mists and emergent curiosities.

• Your protagonist stumbles upon an ancient temple hidden deep in the jungle and gets trapped inside. What dangers and surprises await them?
• A massive storm causes your protagonist’s plane to crash land in the jungle. Now they must survive and try to find their way back to civilization.
• Your protagonist is a wildlife photographer on an expedition to capture rare animal behaviors. They get a once-in-a-lifetime chance but must risk their life to get the perfect shot.
• While out for a jungle hike, your protagonist slips and falls into a steep ravine. Now injured, lost, and alone, can they find their way out?
• Your protagonist discovers a rare flower deep in the jungle that bestows magical abilities to whoever consumes it. Do they use it for good or evil?
• A team of scientists venture into unexplored jungle territory to document new species but discover prehistoric beasts long thought extinct.
• Your protagonist stumbles upon a band of smugglers using the jungle’s dense vegetation and winding rivers to transport illegal wares.
• An ancient artifact with untold powers has sat undisturbed in a hidden jungle temple for centuries until your protagonist disturbs its resting place.
• A jungle guide must lead a group of tourists to safety through treacherous terrain after they ignore warnings and get lost.
• Your protagonist plunges over raging rapids while whitewater rafting through the jungle. Can they survive and complete their journey?
• A mysterious disease threatens a remote jungle village. Your protagonist tries to find the source and cure before it spreads further.
• Greed leads your protagonist’s treasure hunting expedition into dangerous jungle territory containing deadly animals, traps, and hostiles protecting their lands.
• Your protagonist discovers a secret entrance to a thriving, hidden world existing utterly cut off from modern civilization within the depths of the jungle.
• Alien forces have invaded Earth and retreated into the jungle to establish a hidden base. Your protagonist stumbles upon it but is then captured.
• Your protagonist encounters a jungle tribe with customs never before documented by outsiders. But violating their taboos has severe consequences.
• A deranged war criminal has escaped custody and established a militia deep in the jungle. Your protagonist joins a specialized task force tracking them down.
• Your protagonist is a park ranger striving to stop poachers decimating endangered jungle wildlife for profit. But the poachers fight dirty and won’t back down easily.
• A jungle safari guide must use their expertise in survival and animal behavior to save tourists when their vehicles are attacked by wild animals.
• Your protagonist discovers a new parasite transforming jungle animals into aggressive hybrid creatures. They try to document and cure this new threat before it spreads out of control.
• While visiting an eco-lodge nestled in the rainforest canopy, your protagonist witnesses illegal logging threatening nearby indigenous communities dependent on the jungle to survive.
• Your protagonist leads an expedition searching the Amazon rainforest for rare medicinal plants than can cure disease. But traversing the dangerous terrain and wildlife to find these miracle cures won’t be easy.
• A team of documentary filmmakers disappear in the jungle. Your protagonist joins the dangerous search party to try rescuing them and uncover the truth of what happened.
• Your protagonist stumbles upon a secretive research facility housing unethical jungle genetic experimentation projects, and must expose their illegal activities.
• Tribal warfare breaks out in a remote jungle region over disputed lands rich in natural resources. Your protagonist tries negotiating peace but ultimately is forced to choose a side.
• Cryptozoologists launch an expedition through treacherous jungle terrain, braving hazards to capture proof of the mythical creature they pursue before it disappears forever.
• Your protagonist discovers an ancient civilization deep in the jungle that still lives much as it did thousands of years ago, untouched by modern technology or civilizations.
• A kidnapped child is being held for ransom somewhere hidden deep in the winding jungle. Your protagonist joins the dangerous rescue mission.
• An evil corporation is illegally clear-cutting rare sacred trees in the jungle needed by indigenous people for medicine. Your protagonist leads efforts to expose and stop them.
• Your protagonist stumbles upon a massive crater in the jungle, leading them to discover it was caused by a meteorite now emitting mysterious energy with strange effects on wildlife.
• While backpacking through the rainforest, your protagonist is bitten by a venomous snake miles from help. They race against time to find a rare flower said to counteract the venom.
• Your protagonist’s plane crashes into the jungle, leading them to discover the lost ruins of an ancient temple. Inside lies a portal to another world full of magic and danger.
• Your protagonist must safely guide a team of scientists studying endangered jungle wildlife through territories ruled by a violent drug cartel.
• An ancient book discovered in a ruined jungle temple holds secrets that could revive an extinct Mesoamerican language and culture. But dangerous tomb guardians protect it.
• Your protagonist discovers a family of Sasquatches living deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest and struggles with whether to protect or expose them to the world.
• Your protagonist stumbles upon an isolated jungle village practicing dark forbidden magic utilizing plants and rituals to gain power and defy death.
• Your protagonist leads a documentary film crew trying to capture the first footage proving the existence of a destructive, legendary apeman beast lurking deep in the dense rainforest.
• Your protagonist joins the search for a team of activists gone missing while trying to save the jungle ecosystem from an expanding palm oil plantation.
• A jungle shaman calls upon your protagonist to help retrieve a sacred plant growing wild in treacherous terrain, necessary to cure a mysterious plague afflicting their people.
• Your protagonist must help safely evacuate researchers from their jungle camp along an emergency wilderness trail after it’s overrun by escaped exotic animals.
• Stranded campers with vital medicine head into perilous jungle territory hoping to find a clearing to signal helicopters for rescue after their plane crashes.
• Vigilantes recruit your protagonist to stealthily venture into the jungle and infiltrate illegal mining operations poisoning river ecosystems with mercury.
• Your protagonist discovers a pulsating egg in the ruined jungle temple of an ancient cult. Upon hatching, it spawns a nightmarish creature bringing their worst fears to life.
• Your protagonist leads wealthy big game hunters on a jungle safari promised to secure record animal trophies, but regrets the environmental impact.
• After their small plane crashes in the rainforest, your protagonist and the pilot spot ruins of an ancient civilization reclaimed by vegetation and attempt to find treasure.
• Your protagonist is a zoologist documenting rare behaviors in endangered jungle wildlife. But hunting poachers will do anything to silence them.
• Homeless children hide out together in the depths of the urban jungle after running away. Your protagonist, once one of them, strives to uncover their refuge.
• Your protagonist discovers a glowing fungus deep in an unexplored rainforest emanating psychic visions. They plunge into madness the deeper they explore its origin.
• A distressed woman emerges from the jungle begging for help after claiming she escaped from kidnappers. Your protagonist tries helping but senses not all is as it seems.
• Your protagonist serves as guide and bodyguard for a TV celebrity host filming their survival show in the dangerous South American rainforest.
• Cryptic carvings on an ancient temple lead your protagonist to activate a magical portal. They step through to discover an alternate world where dinosaurs rule.

We hope you were able to venture forth into fertile storytelling grounds filled with discovery and danger lurking behind every rainforest revelation. These jungle adventure writing prompts hold the potential for twisting tales stuffed with ancient secrets and bewildering phenomena hidden beneath lush canopies.

If these prompts inspired a writing adventure, please leave some of it in the comments. We’d love to read it. We also have a lot of other writing prompts on our site you may be interested in .

Related posts:

• 50 Poetry Prompts Every Writer Should Try
• Daily horror writing prompts 
• 50 Fantastic Science Fiction Writing Prompts
• 31 Creepy Writing Prompts for Every Day of October
• 50 Christmas Fiction Writing Prompts

About Richard

Richard Everywriter (pen name) has worked for literary magazines and literary websites for the last 25 years. He holds degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology and Education. Richard has headed many writing workshops and courses, and he has taught writing and literature for the last 20 years.  

In writing and publishing he has worked with independent, small, medium and large publishers for years connecting publishers to authors. He has also worked as a journalist and editor in both magazine, newspaper and trade publications as well as in the medical publishing industry.   Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page .

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19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

tropical rainforest - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• boreal forest
• forest department
• rain soaked ground
• rainforest plants
• tree branches

In this tropical rainforest, in the mist that kisses skin with maternal gentleness, there is a tangible sense of the sacred I've been missing each moment since my birth.

In this green garden of Eden, this tropical rainforest, the soul of creation is so loud. It is a story of living told in the voices of fauna and flora all around. It is as if invisible arms with open hands have reached into my soul and become its cosmic defibrillator.

The tropical rainforest makes leaves so large that I could wrap them around me as a sort of green cocoon - to sleep, perchance to dream, that I could awake as a butterfly.

Even if I never set foot in a tropical rainforest, even if I live them through television footage, there is a part of my soul that only lives because they do, and each felled tree is a clear cut upon me too.

Some days it feels as if humanity will squabble until the last of the tropical rainforests have been sold as trinkets in upmarket boutiques.

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77+ ‘Jungle’ Writing Prompts

Jungle Journey

Create a story about a journey through a jungle and the animals you encounter.

River Navigation Challenge

Your character is tasked to navigate a perilous river running through the jungle to reach an important destination.

Ancient Rituals Run Amok

Write a story wherein archaeologists find a site deep in the jungle where ancient rituals have accidentally been reactivated.

Unnatural Nature Reserve

Write a tale about a peculiar jungle with extraordinary flora and fauna that defies known science.

Jungle Survival Tale

Protagonist becomes stranded alone in the heart of the jungle and must learn to survive.

Geometry Jungle

Devise a story around various geometrical shapes living in a ‘Geometry Jungle’.

The Bedroom Oasis

Write a story about a day wherein your bedroom transformed into a completely different world.

Expedition into the Lost Jungle City

Craft an exploration tale centered around a lost city hidden in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

Imagine that you are an explorer discovering a new jungle. What creatures do you encounter?

The Lost Jungle Civilization

Write about an explorer who encounters an untouched human civilization, hidden deep within a vast jungle.

Jungle Adventure

Write a simple story about an adventure in the jungle.

Cure from the Depths

Create a story where the protagonist is a scientist, who must venture deep into an underground jungle to find a plant that is believed to cure a devastating disease.

Evasive Wildlife Spectacle

Write about a ranger pursuing a poacher through a dense, unfamiliar jungle.

The Monsoon’s Arrival

Describe the changes in the jungle atmosphere with the arrival of the monsoon season.

Life in the Undergrowth

Write about the hidden ecosystem within the jungle floor.

Tree-top Home

Describe building a treetop house in the middle of a jungle.

King of the Jungle

Write a story where you are a lion in a jungle, detailing a day in your majestic life.

Jungle Soundscape

Describe the sounds of the jungle late at night.

Tropical Terrors

Write a humorous story about a misadventure with wildlife while on a tropical vacation.

A Night in the Jungle

Picture yourself spending a night in a dense jungle. Describe the sights, sounds and feelings.

Journey Through the Jungle

Compose a tale about a fun-filled adventure through a lush jungle.

A Day in the Jungle

Imagine spending a day in the jungle; describe what you’d see, hear, and feel.

Dragons in Modernity

To save its species from extinction, a dragon must learn to coexist with humans in a modern city.

The Wildlife Detective

Write about an animal detective solving mysteries in the jungle.

Lost in the Jungle

Imagine waking up one day and suddenly finding yourself alone and lost in a thick jungle. Describe your efforts to survive and find a way back to civilization.

My Dream Playground

Design your dream playground and describe it in detail.

Jungle Folklore

Create a folklore or legend related to the jungle.

Jungle Guardian’s Perspective

Write from the perspective of an ancient tree witnessing the evolution of the jungle.

Jungle Sounds Symphony

Describe a night in the jungle using only auditory cues.

Lost within the Green Maze

Imagine being lost in the forest, describe your feelings, encounters, and how you find your way out.

Jungle Explorations

Write a narrative about exploring a jungle unknown.

An Unusual Friendship

Write about forming an unexpected friendship with a jungle creature while surviving in the wilderness.

The Jungle Guardian

You are chosen to be the guardian of a mystical element hidden in the jungle that maintains the balance of Mother Nature.

Jungle Apocalypse

Write a story where the jungle suddenly starts taking over the world’s urban landscapes.

Heart of the Rainforest

You’re determined to find a mythical medicinal plant said to cure incurable diseases, deep in the heart of the jungle.

Secrets of a Long-lost Tribe

Imagine discovering evidence of a long-lost jungle tribe and write about your quest to uncover its secrets.

The Jungle Artifact

You are an explorer who found a magical artifact in the jungle.

The Lost Treasure Hunt

Write about going on a treasure hunt on the jungle-covered island.

Home Sweet Home

Draw your dream house and then write a story about the adventures that take place in it.

Urban Jungle

Describe the interactions between humans and nature in urban settings.

Concrete Jungle Survival

Craft a survivalist adventure of a person isolated in an abandoned part of a bustling city.

Home Safari Hunt

Imagine your home as a wild jungle and describe what you see, feel and hear.

Journey to the Jungle

Create a wild tale of visiting the jungle and meeting all the different animals.

Oasis in a Concrete Jungle

In the heart of a bustling city, you find a hidden natural oasis.

Jungle Expedition

Imagine you’re an explorer in a vast, unknown jungle. What do you find?

Fantastical School Day

Churn your typical school day into a fantastic story: maybe the school bus transforms into a rocket or the pencils become magic wands.

Springtime Semaphore

Write a letter to yourself describing a spring voyage not yet taken.

Write about exploring a dense, mysterious jungle in search of a rare, precious stone.

Strangers in Paradise

Imagine a chance romantic encounter with a stranger in a tropical paradise. How would the story unfold?

Describe your city or town in the future, focusing on its environmental sustainability.

Creature of the Wild

Pretend you are a wild creature living in a forest, jungle, or ocean. What’s your everyday life like?

Rainforest Symphony

Describe the various sounds of the jungle at night.

Jungle Journeys

Write a story about an expedition deep into the heart of an unexplored rainforest.

Animal Life Swap

Create a comic strip about swapping lives with your favorite animal for a day.

Uncharted Territory

Create a vivid narrative set in an unforgiving landscape you are entirely unfamiliar with, such as a desert, deep ocean, polar ice cap or dense jungle.

Write about a day at your office or workplace, but replace your coworkers with animals that best represent their personalities.

A Trip with Furry Friend

Write a story about a day spent adventuring with your pet.

Daring Jungle Expedition

You’re on a jungle expedition. Tell a story about some of the wild animals you encountered.

Jungle Journal

Write a diary entry as a 3rd grader who has become best friends with an animal in the jungle.

Write a story about joining a jungle animal’s adventure.

Venture into the wild as a brave jungle cat.

Flying High

You’re a curious parrot who was previously caged but finally got the chance to explore the forests. What do you see, feel, and learn?

Write about a chameleon who embarks on a journey throughout the jungle and the various animals he meets along the way.

Imagine you are leading an expedition into an unexplored jungle. What do you find that is unique or exciting there?

Imagining you are an explorer, write about an expedition you’re undertaking through an uncharted jungle.

The Lost Civilization

Devise a tale about a group of explorers who stumble upon a long-lost civilization hidden in the dense jungle.

Jungle Jumble

Suppose you found a mysterious key on a school field trip to a jungle.

Exploring the Wild Jungle

Imagine you are an explorer who has just entered a deep, dense jungle. What adventures await you there?

Jungle Explorer

Imagine if you were an explorer into an uncharted jungle. What adventures would you have?

Animal Kingdom Chronicles

Rewrite the Jungle Book from the villain’s point of view.

Create a story where you are an explorer in an uncharted rainforest filled with undiscovered species.

Imagine you are a jungle animal for a day, write about your adventures.

Dream Vacation

Write about your ideal vacation, where you would go, what you would do, and who would be there.

Detail a trip you’d take if there were no limitations.

Journey Through a Jungle

Imagine being lost in a dense, wild jungle. Detail your survival skills, encounters with wildlife, and eventual rescue.

Describe an expedition through a dense, dangerous jungle in search of a mythical artifact.

Foraging in the Corporate Jungle

Write a survival guide for surviving and thriving in a modern corporate environment.

A Guide to Descriptive Writing

by Melissa Donovan | Jan 7, 2021 | Creative Writing | 8 comments

What is descriptive writing?

Writing description is a necessary skill for most writers. Whether we’re writing an essay, a story, or a poem, we usually reach a point where we need to describe something. In fiction, we describe settings and characters. In poetry, we describe scenes, experiences, and emotions. In creative nonfiction, we describe reality. Descriptive writing is especially important for speculative fiction writers and poets. If you’ve created a fantasy world, then you’ll need to deftly describe it to readers; Lewis Carroll not only described Wonderland  (aff link); he also described the fantastical creatures that inhabited it.

But many writers are challenged by description writing, and many readers find it boring to read — when it’s not crafted skillfully.

However, I think it’s safe to say that technology has spoiled us. Thanks to photos and videos, we’ve become increasingly visual, which means it’s getting harder to use words to describe something, especially if it only exists in our imaginations.

What is Descriptive Writing?

One might say that descriptive writing is the art of painting a picture with words. But descriptive writing goes beyond visuals. Descriptive writing hits all the senses; we describe how things look, sound, smell, taste, and feel (their tactile quality).

The term descriptive writing can mean a few different things:

• The act of writing description ( I’m doing some descriptive writing ).
• A descriptive essay is short-form prose that is meant to describe something in detail; it can describe a person, place, event, object, or anything else.
• Description as part of a larger work: This is the most common kind of descriptive writing. It is usually a sentence or paragraph (sometimes multiple paragraphs) that provide description, usually to help the reader visualize what’s happening, where it’s happening, or how it’s happening. It’s most commonly used to describe a setting or a character. An example would be a section of text within a novel that establishes the setting by describing a room or a passage that introduces a character with a physical description.
• Writing that is descriptive (or vivid) — an author’s style: Some authors weave description throughout their prose and verse, interspersing it through the dialogue and action. It’s a style of writing that imparts description without using large blocks of text that are explicitly focused on description.
• Description is integral in poetry writing. Poetry emphasizes imagery, and imagery is rendered in writing via description, so descriptive writing is a crucial skill for most poets.

Depending on what you write, you’ve probably experimented with one of more of these types of descriptive writing, maybe all of them.

Can you think of any other types of descriptive writing that aren’t listed here?

How Much Description is Too Much?

Classic literature was dense with description whereas modern literature usually keeps description to a minimum.

Compare the elaborate descriptions in J.R.R. Tolkien’s  Lord of the Rings  trilogy  with the descriptions in J.K. Rowling’s  Harry Potter series  (aff links). Both series relied on description to help readers visualize an imagined, fantastical world, but Rowling did not use her precious writing space to describe standard settings whereas Tolkien frequently paused all action and spent pages describing a single landscape.

This isn’t unique to Tolkien and Rowling; if you compare most literature from the beginning of of the 20th century and earlier to today’s written works, you’ll see that we just don’t dedicate much time and space to description anymore.

I think this radical change in how we approach description is directly tied to the wide availability of film, television, and photography. Let’s say you were living in the 19th century, writing a story about a tropical island for an audience of northern, urban readers. You would be fairly certain that most of your readers had never seen such an island and had no idea what it looked like. To give your audience a full sense of your story’s setting, you’d need pages of detail describing the lush jungle, sandy beaches, and warm waters.

Nowadays, we all know what a tropical island looks like, thanks to the wide availability of media. Even if you’ve never been to such an island, surely you’ve seen one on TV. This might explain why few books on the craft of writing address descriptive writing. The focus is usually on other elements, like language, character, plot, theme, and structure.

For contemporary writers, the trick is to make the description as precise and detailed as possible while keeping it to a minimum. Most readers want characters and action with just enough description so that they can imagine the story as it’s unfolding.

If you’ve ever encountered a story that paused to provide head-to-toe descriptions along with detailed backstories of every character upon their introduction into the narrative, you know just how grating description can be when executed poorly.

However, it’s worth noting that a skilled writer can roll out descriptions that are riveting to read. Sometimes they’re riveting because they’re integrated seamlessly with the action and dialogue; other times, the description is deftly crafted and engaging on its own. In fact, an expert descriptive writer can keep readers glued through multiple pages of description.

Descriptive Writing Tips

I’ve encountered descriptive writing so smooth and seamless that I easily visualized what was happening without even noticing that I was reading description. Some authors craft descriptions that are so lovely, I do notice — but in a good way. Some of them are so compelling that I pause to read them again.

On the other hand, poorly crafted descriptions can really impede a reader’s experience. Description doesn’t work if it’s unclear, verbose, or bland. Most readers prefer action and dialogue to lengthy descriptions, so while a paragraph here and there can certainly help readers better visualize what’s happening, pages and pages of description can increase the risk that they’ll set your work aside and never pick it up again. There are exceptions to every rule, so the real trick is to know when lengthy descriptions are warranted and when they’re just boring.

Here are some general tips for descriptive writing:

• Use distinct descriptions that stand out and are memorable. For example, don’t write that a character is five foot two with brown hair and blue eyes. Give the reader something to remember. Say the character is short with mousy hair and sky-blue eyes.
• Make description active: Consider the following description of a room: There was a bookshelf in the corner. A desk sat under the window. The walls were beige, and the floor was tiled. That’s boring. Try something like this: A massive oak desk sat below a large picture window and beside a shelf overflowing with books. Hardcovers, paperbacks, and binders were piled on the dingy tiled floor in messy stacks.  In the second example, words like  overflowing  and  piled are active.
• Weave description through the narrative: Sometimes a character enters a room and looks around, so the narrative needs to pause to describe what the character sees. Other times, description can be threaded through the narrative. For example, instead of pausing to describe a character, engage that character in dialogue with another character. Use the characters’ thoughts and the dialogue tags to reveal description: He stared at her flowing, auburn curls, which reminded him of his mother’s hair. “Where were you?” he asked, shifting his green eyes across the restaurant to where a customer was hassling one of the servers.

Simple descriptions are surprisingly easy to execute. All you have to do is look at something (or imagine it) and write what you see. But well-crafted descriptions require writers to pay diligence to word choice, to describe only those elements that are most important, and to use engaging language to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. Instead of spending several sentences describing a character’s height, weight, age, hair color, eye color, and clothing, a few, choice details will often render a more vivid image for the reader: Red hair framed her round, freckled face like a spray of flames. This only reveals three descriptive details: red hair, a round face, and freckles. Yet it paints more vivid picture than a statistical head-to-toe rundown:  She was five foot three and no more than a hundred and ten pounds with red hair, blue eyes, and a round, freckled face.

10 descriptive writing practices.

How to Practice Writing Description

Here are some descriptive writing activities that will inspire you while providing opportunities to practice writing description. If you don’t have much experience with descriptive writing, you may find that your first few attempts are flat and boring. If you can’t keep readers engaged, they’ll wander off. Work at crafting descriptions that are compelling and mesmerizing.

• Go to one of your favorite spots and write a description of the setting: it could be your bedroom, a favorite coffee shop, or a local park. Leave people, dialogue, and action out of it. Just focus on explaining what the space looks like.
• Who is your favorite character from the movies? Describe the character from head to toe. Show the reader not only what the character looks like, but also how the character acts. Do this without including action or dialogue. Remember: description only!
• Forty years ago we didn’t have cell phones or the internet. Now we have cell phones that can access the internet. Think of a device or gadget that we’ll have forty years from now and describe it.
• Since modern fiction is light on description, many young and new writers often fail to include details, even when the reader needs them. Go through one of your writing projects and make sure elements that readers may not be familiar with are adequately described.
• Sometimes in a narrative, a little description provides respite from all the action and dialogue. Make a list of things from a story you’re working on (gadgets, characters, settings, etc.), and for each one, write a short description of no more than a hundred words.
• As mentioned, Tolkien often spent pages describing a single landscape. Choose one of your favorite pieces of classic literature, find a long passage of description, and rewrite it. Try to cut the descriptive word count in half.
• When you read a book, use a highlighter to mark sentences and paragraphs that contain description. Don’t highlight every adjective and adverb. Look for longer passages that are dedicated to description.
• Write a description for a child. Choose something reasonably difficult, like the solar system. How do you describe it in such a way that a child understands how he or she fits into it?
• Most writers dream of someday writing a book. Describe your book cover.
• Write a one-page description of yourself.

If you have any descriptive writing practices to add to this list, feel free to share them in the comments.

Descriptive Writing

Does descriptive writing come easily to you, or do you struggle with it? Do you put much thought into how you write description? What types of descriptive writing have you tackled — descriptive essays, blocks of description within larger texts, or descriptions woven throughout a narrative? Share your tips for descriptive writing by leaving a comment, and keep writing!

Further Reading: Abolish the Adverbs , Making the Right Word Choices for Better Writing , and Writing Description in Fiction .

I find descriptions easier when first beginning a scene. Other ones I struggle with. Yes, intertwining them with dialogue does help a lot.

I have the opposite experience. I tend to dive right into action and dialogue when I first start a scene.

I came across this article at just the right time. I am just starting to write a short story. This will change the way I describe characters in my story.

Thank you for this. R.G. Ramsey

You’re welcome!

Great tips and how to practise and improve our descriptive writing skills. Thank you for sharing.

You’re welcome, Bella.

Hello Melissa

I have read many of your articles about different aspects of writing and have enjoyed all of them. What you said here, I agree with, with the exception of #7. That is one point that I dispute and don’t understand the reason why anyone would do this, though I’ve seen books that had things like that done to them.

To me, a book is something to be treasured, loved and taken care of. It deserves my respect because I’m sure the author poured their heart and soul into its creation. Marking it up that way is nothing short of defacing it. A book or story is a form of art, so should a person mark over a picture by Rembrandt or any other famous painter? You’re a very talented author, so why would you want someone to mark through the words you had spent considerable time and effort agonizing over, while searching for the best words to convey your thoughts?

If I want to remember some section or point the author is making, then I’ll take a pen and paper and record the page number and perhaps the first few words of that particular section. I’ve found that writing a note this way helps me remember it better. This is then placed inside the cover for future reference. If someone did what you’ve suggested to a book of mine, I’d be madder than a ‘wet hen’, and that person would certainly be told what I thought of them.

In any of the previous articles you’ve written, you’ve brought up some excellent points which I’ve tried to incorporate in my writing. Keep up the good work as I know your efforts have helped me, and I’m sure other authors as well.

Hi Stanley. Thanks so much for sharing your point of view. I appreciate and value it.

Marking up a book is a common practice, especially in academia. Putting notes in margins, underlining, highlighting, and tagging pages with bookmarks is standard. Personally, I mark up nonfiction paperbacks, but I never mark up fiction paperbacks or any hardcovers (not since college).

I completely respect your right to keep your books in pristine condition. And years ago, when I started college, I felt exactly the same way. I was horrified that people (instructors and professors!) would fill their books with ugly yellow highlighting and other markips. But I quickly realized that this was shortsighted.

Consider an old paperback that is worn and dog-eared. With one look, you know this book has been read many times and it’s probably loved. It’s like the Velveteen Rabbit of books. I see markups as the same — that someone was engaging with the book and trying to understand it on a deeper level, which is not disrespectful. It’s something to be celebrated.

Sometimes we place too much value on the book as a physical object rather than what’s inside. I appreciate a beautiful book as much as anyone but what really matters to me is the information or experience that it contains. I often read on a Kindle. Sometimes I listen to audio books. There is no physical book. The experience is not lessened.

I understand where you’re coming from. I used to feel the same way, but my mind was changed. I’m not trying to change yours, but I hope you’ll understand.

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• Jun 22, 2020

Day 49 - Rainforests (creative ideas for home schooling)

For anyone new to this blog, the idea is simple - each day my boys (Joshua - 9 and Archie - 8) choose a stimulus that drives the learning. We hope that you enjoy the blog and can take some inspiration from what we love doing - making learning as engaging as possible!

Rainforests

The Amazon rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, famed for its biodiversity , meaning there are lots of different species of plants and animals that live there. The Amazon contains o ne in ten known species on Earth, 1.4 billion acres of dense forests, half of the planet's remaining tropical forests and 4,100 miles of winding rivers. The writing opportunities around the Amazon rainforest are endless, but the boys felt passionately about describing this amazing place. We hope you enjoy.

Select powerful, precise and well-chosen nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs that really match.

Use personification to bring the setting to life.

Use metaphors and similes to create atmosphere.

Use alliteration to add to the effect.

Use expanded noun phrases to add intriguing detail.

Today's writing is focussed on bringing the Amazon rainforest to life through description. We started by drawing up our description toolkit, as presented in the book Creating Storytellers and Writers :

Y3/4 Description Toolkit

This book is is the Talk for Writing guide to how to teach children to love writing stories through telling stories and can be purchased here:

https://www.talkforwritingshop.com/product-page/copy-of-creating-storytellers-and-writers-with-38-online-video-clips

One of the greatest issues in trying to describe the Amazon rainforest is that none of us has ever been there. Is is almost impossible to describe something that you have no knowledge of. We therefore needed a rich immersion. The following youtube video is fantastic as it delves into the world of the rainforest, its beauty, importance and the way locals look to protect and conserve it. In addition, you can navigate the video through 360˚, which the boys loved!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JvJCvdqvYs

Having watched the video, we then slowed it down, looking for the writing opportunities. As always, I modelled the writing for the boys, contextualising all the tools and grammar through the writing process. For me, this gives grammar purpose and therefore helps children to understand the impact it has. It is also essential they see me crafting my writing, considering word choice and sentence design. This shared writing is also a first draft, designed to show the boys how writing needs to be revisited for meaning and impact.

Here is the shared writing we came up with, followed by the boys' efforts.

The Amazon Rainforest

Reaching towards a canopy of clouds, telescopic trees sway in the gentle breeze. Far below, nature's canvas pictures perfection, momentarily untouched by man's greed. Gazing up, a quilt of vines and lush leaves hug the forest floor - a canopy of care.

Snaking through the dense vegetation, the chocolate river ripples. Its murky surface is as smooth as glass, hiding a world of wonder.

The rainforest erupts into life. A shrill cry of a toucan resonates through the undergrowth, a conductor awakening the sleeping orchestra – the ticks, clicks and rattles of a tiny world unseen. A cacophony of deafening alarm bells reverberate and thrum as the symphony begins.

The branches of the trees dance like ballroom dancers, swaying silently in the wind. Far bellow, a world full of incredible animals are waiting to be discovered. Staring up, a magnificent forest of tall trees gaze down on me. Slowly, the Amazon river flows, meandering through the forest. An alarm call of a toucan bellows and the rainforest comes to life. Laughing lemurs leap from tree to tree to find food. The never ending noises bleating and booming.

Rainforest Calling

Under the canopy, bamboo trees wave like tickley hands. The forest is full of sounds – birds singing, insects humming and toucans calling. A super sloth slowly climbs snake-like trees. Below, a chocolate river reflects like a filthy mirror. Along the river bank, an immense python slithers like a recoiling wave.

As always, the boys passionate about exploring anything arty. The rainforest is just packed full of amazing drawing opportunities. As the first part of our rainforest project, the boys spent the afternoon observing and drawing some of the weird and wonderful animals this magnificent place has to offer.

Our thanks to Arts for Kids Hub for the inspiration and tuition.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub

If you are enjoying this blog, please do share it and spread the word. Thank you to all of you who have got in touch and shared some of the outcomes from what you have tried - we love to hear from you.

Do tune in tomorrow, where we exploring: Ice

My thanks to Pie Corbett, Julia Strong and the Talk for Writing team for inspiring many of the ideas explored in this blog.

This blog is copyright. All materials herein, texts and supporting resources are copyright to Jamie Thomas & Talk for Writing. They may be used to support children/staff/parents in home-learning ONLY and not for commercial gain or for training or sharing widely, in their original form or any variations. They must also not be shared online or on any social media platforms without prior permission.

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