Realistic Fiction Notes 1: Planning
Realistic Fiction Notes 2: Drafting
Characteristics of a Narrative Writing Piece:
(www.essayinfo.com 2015)
- is told from a particular point of view
- makes and supports a point
- is filled with precise detail
- uses vivid verbs and modifiers
- uses conflict and sequence as does any story
- may use dialogue
(www.essayinfo.com 2015)
POWER VERBS- Click here for link to a list of power verbs
Credit: Jerry Jenkins "Proven Writing Tips" 2019
Power Verbs, or strong verbs allow writers to show instead of tell. They strengthen writing and paint a more vivid picture. Along with figurative language, these verbs will enhance your writing. See samples below from brightblueeducation.com (2015)
What is a Strong Verb?
Poor writing, the kind that is often found in student essays, relies on adverbs and adjectives. Good writing relies on verbs, strong verbs.
1) Strong verbs show instead of tell. In each example you can see how much better the second sentence is.
Example: The tiger ate the antelope.
The tiger devoured the antelope.
Example: The Buffalo injured the hunter.
The Buffalo gored the hunter.
2) Single verbs show better than verb/adverb combinations.
Example: He uses time wisely when writing essays.
He maximizes time when writing essays.
Example: The lion ferociously ate the gazelle.
The lion gobbled the gazelle
3) Be verbs (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been) suck the life out of your writing!
Example: He was bludgeoned by the boxer.
The boxer bludgeoned him.
Example: The pedestrian was run over by the school bus.
The school bus ran over the pedestrian.
4) Have/has/had combined with a noun encourage readers to wedge their head in a vice.
Example: I had an argument with the referee.
I argued with the referee
Example: I had dinner with the sheriff.
I dined with the sheriff.
What is a Strong Verb?
Poor writing, the kind that is often found in student essays, relies on adverbs and adjectives. Good writing relies on verbs, strong verbs.
1) Strong verbs show instead of tell. In each example you can see how much better the second sentence is.
Example: The tiger ate the antelope.
The tiger devoured the antelope.
Example: The Buffalo injured the hunter.
The Buffalo gored the hunter.
2) Single verbs show better than verb/adverb combinations.
Example: He uses time wisely when writing essays.
He maximizes time when writing essays.
Example: The lion ferociously ate the gazelle.
The lion gobbled the gazelle
3) Be verbs (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been) suck the life out of your writing!
Example: He was bludgeoned by the boxer.
The boxer bludgeoned him.
Example: The pedestrian was run over by the school bus.
The school bus ran over the pedestrian.
4) Have/has/had combined with a noun encourage readers to wedge their head in a vice.
Example: I had an argument with the referee.
I argued with the referee
Example: I had dinner with the sheriff.
I dined with the sheriff.