Sensory Details in Writing

Sensory Details in Writing

Read each section carefully and answer the questions. Pay close attention to how writers use sensory details to make their writing more vivid and engaging.

What are Sensory Details?

Sensory details are words and phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. They help the reader to imagine and experience what is happening in a story or description.

1. Which sense is primarily appealed to in the sentence: "The sweet, sticky honey dripped from the spoon"?

Fill in the blank with a word that uses the sense indicated in parentheses.

2. The old wooden floorboards made a   sound as I walked. (sound)

3. The freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen with a   aroma. (smell)

4. The kitten's fur felt incredibly   against my hand. (touch)

5. Rewrite the following sentence by adding at least two sensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch):

The park was nice.

6. True or False: Sensory details only involve what you can see.

7. Imagine you are walking through a bustling market. Describe what you experience using at least one detail for each of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).

Use the words below to help you complete the writing prompt above or to practice identifying senses.