As Halloween approaches, there’s no better time to help students explore the art of descriptive writing. In our academic reading and writing programs, we teach students the importance of creating vivid, engaging scenes that spark the reader’s imagination. One way we do this is by guiding them through the process of setting the scene—something that is particularly effective in spooky stories.
The following excerpts are from a Grade 4 student’s 5-paragraph descriptive essay in our Deer 1 program, demonstrating how descriptive writing can bring a haunted scene to life:
“Hidden among the dark and misty woods stood an ancient, unloved house. It seemed as if this house belonged to an ugly witch.”
Notice how the writer immediately sets the tone with phrases like “dark and misty woods” and “unloved house.” This use of adjectives is crucial in helping readers picture the scene and feel its eerie atmosphere.
Descriptive writing is about adding details that make a scene vivid, and another great way to do this is by focusing on specific characters or objects:
“There was a spooky ghost standing in front of the door. It was covered with a white sheet with only its eyes showing.”
Many people are familiar with the image of a ghost covered in a white sheet, but here, the added detail of “huge black eyes” makes the ghost feel more real—and much scarier! Focusing on one aspect of the ghost’s appearance helps students see how they can make a simple concept more interesting.
Finally, suspense is a key element in Halloween stories:
“As you can see, never go in the house; only the bravest and the foolish would dare to go in.”
Ending with a warning like this builds suspense and leaves the reader wondering what might happen if someone dares to enter. It’s a technique students can use in their own writing to keep their readers engaged right to the end.
Encouraging students to develop their descriptive writing skills not only helps them craft better stories but also enhances their ability to think critically and creatively. This Halloween, why not try some spooky storytelling at home?