Adjectives are used to describe nouns.
They can be simple words such as tall or short, or more complicated like genuine or classical. Basically, they are there to give us more of an idea of what things are like, either in appearance, or type, and so on.
When we write, it helps to give adjectives some thought. It’s easy to use common ones like good and bad, but why do that when there may be a more effective word available? You could try jotting down a few alternatives. In place of good you might come up with kind, sympathetic, gentle, caring, and so on.
Or instead of saying ‘a grey cat,’ you might describe it as a Persian. Just by substituting a different word you can conjure up a clearer image in a reader’s mind, and that’s a great way to add life to any scene.
You might also consider using a brand name, to replace a noun.
This technique can be very effective. Don’t just say coffee, say Kenco, or Nescafe. Naming a brand that people use themselves, or at least recognize, will draw the reader in. Just be careful that the items will be recognized by your readership. I write mainly for UK markets. If I was writing for an American or Australian market, I’d need to check that any products I mention will be familiar to them.
Brands are also a great way to add a sense of time and place to your writing. For example, mention Camel cigarettes, or have your hero climb into a Morris Oxford motor car, or go to the office and send a telex, and readers can work out for themselves that the piece is probably set sometime in the past.
