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R.1 Find the sensory details in informational texts

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What are sensory details?

Sensory details are words and phrases that help readers imagine how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels. Writers use sensory details to make their writing clearer and more interesting.

Examples:
  • Look: The bright red apples shone in the sunlight.
  • Sound: The leaves crunched under my feet.
  • Smell: The sweet scent of flowers filled the air.
Note

Sensory details make writing come alive. They help the reader feel as if they are really there.

Why are sensory details important?

Sensory details help readers connect with the text. They create pictures in the reader’s mind and make stories and descriptions more engaging.

Examples:
  • Without sensory detail: The cookie was good.
  • With sensory detail: The warm cookie melted in my mouth, rich with gooey chocolate.
Note

Adding sensory details makes simple sentences more powerful and memorable.

Types of sensory details

There are five main senses that writers use to add detail: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

Examples by sense:
  • Sight: The sky turned pink and gold at sunset.
  • Sound: The puppy barked loudly at the door.
  • Smell: Fresh popcorn filled the movie theater.
  • Taste: The lemonade was tangy and refreshing.
  • Touch: The blanket felt soft and warm.
Note

Good writers often use more than one sense at a time to make writing stronger.

How to find sensory details in reading

When reading, look for words that describe how things appear, sound, taste, smell, or feel. These details help you imagine the story more clearly.

Examples:
  • β€œThe rough bark scratched my hand.” β†’ Touch detail
  • β€œThe thunder boomed across the sky.” β†’ Sound detail
  • β€œThe sweet strawberries dripped with juice.” β†’ Taste detail
Note

Paying attention to sensory details will make you a stronger reader and help you understand the text better.

How to use sensory details in writing

When you write, add sensory details to make your stories or descriptions vivid and realistic. Think about what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.

Examples:
  • Instead of: The dog ran fast. β†’ Use: The dog’s paws thumped on the ground as its ears flapped in the wind.
  • Instead of: The soup was hot. β†’ Use: The steamy soup warmed my face and smelled of chicken and herbs.
Note

Practice using at least one or two sensory details in each story you write to make your writing more exciting.