Nancy Prizito Writing Toolspresented

bySteve Barrish

REMEMBER: • Writing is a two

step process!–The hardest step

is to THINK of what you want to write (say).

–The EASIER step is to figure out HOW you want to write (say) it!

Alliteration:•Are near-by words in a sentence using the same beginning sound.

•Remember, it is the sound that rhymes and not the letters.

Example:

• A winning wonderful attraction would be Water World.

• Abraham Lincoln was tall, tough and talented.

Use Strong Verbs

• Replace everyday, common verbs with creative, ear-capturing, action verbs.

Example:

• We went to Walt Disney World.

• We visited Walt Disney World.

• Michael walked with Stephanie.

• Michael strolled with Stephanie.

Use Captivating Color Words

• Color words are adjectives that enlighten and enhance the words they describe.

• They cause the brain to remember them better.

Example:

• We took the rough and ready flume ride down the mountain.

• His raincoat was fluorescent yellow with glowing green stripes.

Metaphor and Simile

Through them...

the poet/writer presents images, or ideas, to help the reader/listener see/hear as the poet/writer does.

A Simile is a comparison of two unlike things.

The words... “like” or “as”

are used to make the comparison

Example

: The fire burned as brightly as the sun.

It compares...

the fire to the sun by telling they both burn brightly.

A metaphor...

is a comparison that does not use the words “like” or “as”.

Onomatopoeia -

are words that sound like natural sounds.

Example:The firecracker went pop.

Clever Creative

Character Names •Creates

humor and personality in your essay.

• Lex Luthor• Wonder Woman• Peter Parker• Steve Barrish• Cow’s

Steakhouse• Lady Gaga

Use HYPERBOLE:

• HYPERBOLE is the use of over exaggeration.

Examples:

• For the millionth time I’m telling you to do it!

• I am so hungry I could eat a horse!

• That building is as tall as a mountain!

Use Use SPECIFICITY:SPECIFICITY:

• SPECIFICITY is using exact names of people, places and things.

Examples:

• Mr. Steve Barrish

• Southern Oaks Middle School

• Dell Computer

• McDonald’s

• Islands of Adventure

• Rave Motion Picture Theatre

Use POWERFUL VOCABULARY

• This is your chance to use great and strong words

Examples:

• Magnificent

• Incredulous

• Audacity

• Tenacious

• exasperating

Use SPECIFIC EMOTION WORDS:

• These are exact “feeling” words.

Examples:

• Nervous

• Calm

• Anxious

• Jittery

• tense

Use SENSORY words

• These are words that use the 5 senses.– Touch– See– Hear– Taste– Smell

Examples:

• Rough

• Stench

• Yummy

• Loud

• beautiful

Nancy Prizito Writing Techniques

continued…

Try to TALK TO YOUR READER

•This method engages the reader.

•It makes the reader want to read on.

Examples: (sentence starters)

•Let me tell you…•Picture this…•I know you won’t

believe this but,…•Oh, I almost forgot…•Did I mention…

Use DEFINITIONS

•Give the meaning of an unusual word or phrase.

•Place it in parenthesis after the word.

Examples:

•Moola (money)•The bomb (best)•Mahi-mahi (dolphin fish)

Use APPOSITIVES

•They rename or further identify the subject of the sentence.

•Place the appositive between commas.

Examples: • My teacher, Mr. Steve

Barrish, is a wonderful man!

• Drew Brees, the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, ran the ball in himself.

Use DIALOGUE

•Use dialogue to personalize an experience (like in DRAPES method)

Examples:

•“Yum, yum”• “Bummer!”

• “Hooray!”

• “I found it.”

Use ELLIPSIS…

•Indicates a pause in dialogue.

•Shows left out words.

•Says that there is more to follow

Examples:

•“That’s…fantastic, I think,” uttered Jose Jimenez.

•“Say the magic words…” and the genie appeared.

•I will list the following…

UseANADIPLOSIS

• Used for emphasis / drama in a sentence.

• It repeats a word or phrase from one sentence into the next sentence.

• The last word used in one sentence is the first word used in the next sentence.

Examples:

• They say hard work makes a man. A hard-working man is a success!

• He was caught, caught like a rat in a trap.

• Everything burned in the fire. Fire was the only reason he lived because it was so cold.