Sensory details are words and phrases that describe how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels. Writers use sensory details to help readers imagine and experience the text more vividly.
Sensory details make writing stronger and help readers connect to the story or text in a deeper way.
Sensory details bring a story to life. They create pictures in the reader’s mind and make writing more interesting and engaging.
Adding sensory details can turn simple sentences into powerful descriptions that help readers feel as if they are part of the experience.
There are five main types of sensory details that match our five senses.
Writers often mix more than one sense in a single description to create stronger images in the reader’s mind.
When reading, look for words and phrases that describe sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings. These are clues that the author is using sensory details.
Highlight or underline sensory words when reading to help you understand how authors create mood and tone.
When you write stories, essays, or poems, use sensory details to show—not just tell—your ideas. They make your writing more exciting and easier for readers to imagine.
Always ask yourself: Can the reader see, hear, smell, taste, or feel what I am describing?