Clarifying Specific Detail

Writing that lacks sensory language can be vague and leave the reader confused and alienated from the material. Specific sensory detail, however, assists the reader in "experiencing" the concept or idea, bringing clarity and thereby drawing him closer to the information conveyed. To say someone thought the room was "noisy" leaves the idea up to interpretation. To say the room caused "the ears to ring and ache painfully" leaves little doubt as to the experience.

Closing Distance

Sensory language also helps bridge the narrative"gap" between reader and author. A commonality of shared sensory stimuli exists between every individual, and if the writer is able to connect with the reader using shared sensory references, the reader feels more bonded with the author and therefore more willing to embrace her work. This is often difficult for an author to accomplish, because the reader could interpret the writing as the author attempting to manipulate the reader's emotions.

Determining Mood

Our senses directly contribute to our emotions and/or mood. Tactile feeling and emotions share a particularly close connection, which is often demonstrated in how we express our moods: "I'm feeling down today" or "I'm really feeling excited." Similarly, taste and smell are often closely associated with an individual's memories. By evoking these associations through sensory language, the writer assists the reader in experiencing the overall "mood" of the writing, particularly in terms of fiction.

Bringing Character, Setting and Ideas to Life

An age-old maxim of writing states, "Show, don't tell." Sensory language does just that. By describing a setting or character through sensory detail, the reader is more likely to engage the character or setting by relating it to his personal experience. Unstated ideas that many readers can connect with are also presented through sensory language, stimulating reader thoughts and further engagement that could extend far beyond the text.