3 of 3

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 5

he did not actually prove that the earth was round, what he did do was to record descriptive narratives of the new world and the peoples he found living there. He is credited with having left behind a significant historical legacy for those who would read his writings and share in his discovery of the New World. Like many early explorers, Columbus sought to record what he saw, heard, tasted, smelled, and touched as he set foot in the Americas. Columbus's journal writings captured his experiences through the use of sensory descriptions.

"8 October. Steered west-southwest and sailed day and night eleven or twelve leagues; at times during the night, fifteen miles an hour, if the account can be depended upon. Found the sea like the river at Seville, "thanks to God," says the Admiral. The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it. The weeds appeared very fresh. Many land birds, one of which they took, flying towards the southwest; also grajaos, ducks, and a pelican were seen.

Thursday, 11 October. At two o'clock in the morning the land was discovered, at two leagues' distance; they took in sail and remained under the square-sail lying to till day, which was Friday, when they found themselves near a small island, one of the Lucayos, called in the Indian language Guanahani. Presently they described people, naked but they seemed on the whole to me, to be a very poor people. They all go completely naked, even the women, though I saw but one girl. All whom I saw were young, not above thirty years of age, well made, with fine shapes and faces; their hair short, and coarse like that of a horse's tail, combed toward the forehead, except a small portion which they suffer to hang down behind, and never cut. Some paint themselves with black, which makes them appear like those of the Canaries, neither black nor white; others with white, others with red, and others with such colors as they can find. Some paint the face and some the whole body; others only the eyes, and others the nose" (Hassall, P., Ed. Internet Medieval Sourcebook, Christopher Columbus, Journal Notes, 2000).

In a real sense, you are an explorer who, having gone and seen, is now explaining to your reader what you have experienced. When you attempt to write without the use of sensory descriptions, what you end up producing is a dry, unimaginative narrative, which fails to captivate its readers. No one is interested in a story that reads like the washing instructions

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Achieving sense perception in fiction writing?
We want to hear your view. Write now!