How to Describe a Waterfall

In descriptive writing, the writer describes a person, place or thing in a way that helps the reader paint a mental picture of the object. An effective description of a waterfall helps the reader to imagine herself experiencing the waterfall as she reads. This means drawing on a range of literary devices, or tools, designed to show the waterfall to the reader rather than tell her about it. But use a light hand: Overdoing figurative language can sound amateurish.

Appeal to the Senses

Use sensory details that help the reader see, hear, smell, touch and even taste the waterfall. This is called imagery. Rather than simply telling the reader that the waterfall is beautiful, for example, add details about the colors, shape and size of the waterfall. For example, describe what the water looks like as it falls -- that is, whether it bounces off the rocks quickly, flows calmly or drops aggressively. Add details about the colors. Describe what the different shades of blue and gray look like and where or when the water begins turning white. Add details about the smells and tastes in the air around the waterfall, such as the slight salinity of freshwater or the musty odors emanating from surrounding trees and rocks. Think about standing or swimming under the falling water and describe how that feels.

Similes and Metaphors

Draw unexpected, non-literal comparisons between sensory images and known references that evoke the experience of the waterfall. Similes, which make explicit comparisons using the words "like" or "as," might note that the waterfall "stands as grand as a cathedral in Prague" or "powers down the rocks like a champion skier on the downhill." Or use metaphors, in which the comparison does not use "like" or "as": "The waterfall roars and rumbles on its journey across its rough rock path." These devices help the reader feel the experience of the waterfall more fully.

Vivid Verbs

Write active, lively prose that avoids passive verbs like "to be." Instead use precise, colorful action verbs that show the reader what the waterfall is like. Some examples might include words like erupt, fall, drop, explode or wind. Verbs need not be used literally to provide precise descriptions. That is, verbs that seem to humanize the waterfall -- like giggle, cry, shout or sleep -- may help evoke the feeling of the waterfall. You might note that the waterfall "giggles excitedly" or that it "softly cries."

Sound of the Language

Think about how your writing sounds and vary the sentence structure to avoid taking on a singsong quality. Try examples of repeated first-letter consonant sounds, called alliteration.

Also use assonance, in which vowel sounds are repeated. An example of assonance -- deploying the long "o" sound -- might read, "The old waterfall soberly provokes the sun's acrimony."