Learn2Write

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No discrimination. The genre of diary entry treats its animate (living) and inanimate subjects (non-living) equally. So should the author. A hand bag, a typewriter or a ladle are as much exemplary narrators as are an astronaut, a teacher or a wimpy kid.

When penning down a day’s experience from their perspective, the inanimate subjects take on a life of their own. They are not mere passive objects of human gaze, but active agents of action. They sense and feel as much as a creature of flesh and blood.

Here we share a few techniques which will help you compose diary entries of objects.

1. Self/implied personification: It’s a no-brainer that an object writing a diary entry must do so like a real human being. The melodious ‘voice’ of a piano is as much worthy of a note as is the ‘trunk’ of a walking stick. Bodily references as well as mortal actions can figure into the picture.

Exploit the literary technique of personification to its full extent:

“I’m the sole DVR in this family, swallowing one music series after the other, depending on the whims of three generations.” (Diary entry of a DVR)

“My frozen cranium contrasts absolutely with my chilly torso.” (Diary entry of a refrigerator)

2. Sentimentalizing: Not just the corporal. Infuse your subject with pressing human emotions.

It could be the injustice meted out to a sulky roll of crushed paper:

“After being brutally tossed into the room’s corner, I was eventually pulverized, when I breathed my last in a paper shredder.”

Or, the daily grousing of a broom:

“Knocks, joggles and sweeps!!! How my life passes in these rude movements.”

3. Transferred epithet: This figure of speech involves a modifier (mostly, an adjective) qualifying not only its primary noun but also another object alongside. It entails a dual allusion. In the case of inanimate objects, the narrator could concoct expressions like:

“I’m a soulful piano.” (Soulful referring to both music and piano; diary entry of a piano)

“Mom calls me ‘a screechy thingamabob.’” (Screechy used for both the device’s ringing and its high volume; diary entry of a mobile phone)

4. Startling beginnings: Introduce your subject by astonishing the readers out of their senses. Humour may play a critical role here. Procrastinate revealing the protagonist’s identity. Relate it to some of its dramatic actions. Thereafter, leave the rest for the readers to wonder.

“I gulp down the litter of the world. Each and every day.” (Diary entry of a dustbin)

“Faces may come and go. Yet, I see the insides out of everyone.” (Diary entry of a mirror)

5. Keen observations: Every narrator must be an acute observer of his world. He takes a note of all the acts and happenings around him with senses wide alert.

“Holy moly, a get-together again! Life is lived to the lees in this house. So, I see the mom now scurrying here and there, arranging delicious dishes. The dad is gone out to fetch wines and champagnes. The kids are merrymaking, way too exhilarated about what’s coming on.”

A diary entry is a highly personalized account of an experience. Hope the above strategies will help you add shades to your central character.

A title is a foreword to a piece of writing that arrests the audience’s attention immediately. It works as a sneak peek into the fictional universe of a creative write-up.

In fact, it can be said that titles deserve the maximum artistic endeavor on the part of an author. This is because ultimately it is the title which puts off or invites the readers to go on to read an article or leave it.

Let’s scrutinize today some interesting strategies to design succinct titles for the genre of descriptive writing.

1. Characterization

Whether it’s an unforgettable teacher, your beloved uncle or aunt, or your adorable pet, you can always enrich their descriptions with telling adjectives.

Show what perception you bear of these in your mind by using words of endearment or strongly evocative descriptions.

The below examples demonstrate how it is good to build on your character using rich vocabulary:

My Cuddly Wuddly Kitten (Describe a kitten)

Our Whizzy Gizmo (Describe your parent's smartphone)

A Duo of Kindred Spirits or Bosom Buddies: Me and My Pal (Describe a friend)

2. Punning

Playing with words is often the forte of many writers. A pun involves deliberate evocation of a substitute word which is similar in spelling and sound to the original word but contrasts totally in meaning. It gives humorous effect when placed in its specific context.

 A Case of Essentials (Describe a pencil case)

 A Motivational Step of My Step Uncle (Describe an uncle/aunt)

3. Revealing the Protagonist

Instead of always the opening paragraph, it may be the title which sometimes introduces the protagonist of a descriptive write up. An author can explore a wide range of possibilities in this regard to establish his central character or theme in the limelight, right at the start of his narration.

A Sophisticated Humanoid (Describe your favourite toy)

An Ultramodern Modular Kitchen (Describe a kitchen)

4. Cueing

What the connotative may convey, the denotative may not. A writer often goes en route the symbolic terrain before rendering his meaning in clear blacks and whites. Cues are dropped using certain representational or associative diction, closely related to the subject being dealt with.

 Here are a few sample titles carrying such intended indirect references:

 A Day with Throngs and Queues (Describe a busy day in a bank)

 A Canine Connection (Describe a dog)

 A Visage of Resplendence (Describe a grey crowned crane)

 The Auburn Royalty (Describe a tiger)

5. Alliteration

The time honored figurative techniques come in handy even in titling your write-ups.

A Place of Pots, Pans and Peelers (Describe a kitchen)

Super Stylish Super Cuts (Describe a hair salon or barber shop)

A Silent Speechless Spectator (Describe a chair in a waiting room)

Titling in descriptive writing is not limited to the above discussion alone. One may go far and wide scouting for the most suitable title for his creative write up. Be as unique, ingenious and original as possible. Remember – your title is the landmark to your literary creation.