Descriptive Text: Definition, Process, Types, and Forms
1. Definition
A descriptive text portrays, in words, a reality (concrete or abstract). It explains how objects, places, environments, people, processes, concepts, and emotions are. The primary objective of an objective description is to represent or refer to the function of language, whereas, in a subjective description, the emotional aspect predominates.
2. Process of Description
To create a description, follow these steps:
- Observation and Selection: Identify and select the most significant features or details to be described. The author chooses the elements based on their knowledge, understanding of the recipient, and the objectives of the description.
- Organization and Structuring: Arrange the selected information according to a specific criterion, such as from general to particular, or vice versa. Descriptive texts typically have a structure consisting of two parts: the subject (the element to be described) and the development (which expands on this subject).
- Expression: Use language appropriate to the intended purpose to convey the selected and organized information.
3. Types of Description
According to their objective, we distinguish between technical descriptions, which have a practical purpose, and literary descriptions, which aim for aesthetics. Technical descriptions are objective, while literary descriptions can be subjective.
Depending on the item described, there are several types of descriptions: people, objects, landscapes, atmospheres, feelings, and emotions. Regarding descriptions of people:
- Prosopography: Describes physical appearance.
- Ethopoeia: Describes psychological aspects (way of thinking, character, customs).
- Portrait: Combines both physical and psychological descriptions.
- Caricature: Exaggerates or distorts features, often with critical intent.
Finally, descriptions of landscapes or environments can be:
- Static: If there is no activity.
- Dynamic: If there is some movement.
4. Linguistic Forms of Description
Characteristic forms of description include:
- Spatial Markers: These allow elements to be presented linearly, from a frontal view, a horizontal perspective, or indicating proximity or distance.
- Listing: The accumulation of words linked by coordination to present different aspects of reality. Sometimes the list is rapid, without links (asyndeton), and sentences are juxtaposed. In other cases, there are many links (polysyndeton), and coordinated sentences create a slower pace.
- Adjectives: These express qualities, evaluate, or indicate location in space or time. Figures of speech like comparison, metaphor, or personification are also used for the same purpose as adjectives, avoiding repetition and achieving greater expressiveness.
- Present and Imperfect Indicative: Linking verbs and those that do not denote action tend to be used.
5. Linguistic and Literary Resources
Various resources are used in descriptions:
- Adjectives: Adjectives are crucial in descriptions because they express qualities.
- Enumeration: A combination of several elements.
- Comparison: Establishes relationships of similarity or resemblance between elements.
- Metaphor: The substitution of one element for another with which it shares a resemblance.
- Hyperbole: Exaggerates the characteristics of a person or thing.