Strong v. Weak Verbs Make your writing real to people…

Strong v. WeakStrong v. WeakVerbsVerbs

Make your writing real to Make your writing real to people…people…

Focus of the SentenceFocus of the Sentence

Look at the following sentences and Look at the following sentences and describe what makes the second describe what makes the second better than the first. better than the first.

1.1. The trees looked so bare as there The trees looked so bare as there was nothing but bark and branches. was nothing but bark and branches.

2.2. On the ground fresh tracks from a On the ground fresh tracks from a snowmachine broke the crisp snow. snowmachine broke the crisp snow.

Showing v TellingShowing v Telling

Rule #3 of good writing style is to: Rule #3 of good writing style is to: Show instead of tell. Show instead of tell.

To do this:To do this: Remove yourself from the writing.Remove yourself from the writing. Pick the detail your eye is on. Pick the detail your eye is on. Make that detail the subject of an action Make that detail the subject of an action

verb. verb.

Writing is ObservationWriting is Observation

Look at the picture Look at the picture to the right. to the right. What do you What do you notice first?notice first?

Strive to notice Strive to notice the unusual, the the unusual, the things that make things that make the scene the scene unique. unique.

The best writers are also the best observers of the The best writers are also the best observers of the world around them.world around them.

Attach to Strong VerbsAttach to Strong Verbs

Strong verbs show Strong verbs show actions you can actions you can “see.”“see.”

JumpJump

RoarRoar

Weak verbs are Weak verbs are linking and/or linking and/or abstract verbs.abstract verbs.

SmellSmell

ThinkThink

Strength of VerbsStrength of Verbs

StrongStrong WeakWeak

float

seesit

beingSank

Show Verses TellShow Verses Tell

To show, notice what your To show, notice what your eye sees and connect it eye sees and connect it to a action verb. to a action verb.

Notice that your eye Notice that your eye actually catches very actually catches very little of the picture at little of the picture at any one time. any one time.

Remember being a writer Remember being a writer means being an means being an observer. observer.

AssignmentAssignment

Do a rewrite of one of Do a rewrite of one of your descriptive your descriptive paragraphs. This should paragraphs. This should be a significant rewrite. be a significant rewrite. These rewrites will be These rewrites will be graded strictly graded strictly according to the according to the “Writing Style Rubric.” “Writing Style Rubric.”

Due Date: Tues 10/3Due Date: Tues 10/3

Writing Style RubricWriting Style Rubric  Level 1-Action

VerbsLevel 2-Concrete

DescriptionsLevel 3-Show

Don’t TellComplete

DescriptionsGrammar and

Mech

A10-9

The paragraph uses only strong action verbs which add to the image created. Further all these verbs are appropriate and accurate.

The paragraph uses concrete, specific, and definite nouns to create images for the reader. Further it avoids using extra “helping words” yet forms rich descriptions.

The paragraph shows rather than tells picking key details and linking them to action verbs.

The description includes enough description and detail to completely paint a picture for the reader. It covers 4 out of the 5 sense.

Grammar and Mechanics are flawless.

B8

The paragraph uses only action verbs which add to the image created though these may occasionally be weak verbs, or there are instances of the verb “to be” as a helping verb.

The paragraph uses concrete, specific, and definite nouns to create images for the reader. However, one or two descriptions might be vague or abstract.

The paragraph shows rather than tells picking details and linking them to action verbs; however, it also contains some sentences which tell rather than show.

The description includes enough description and detail to completely paint a picture for the reader. It covers 3 out of the 5 sense.

1-3 errors in grammar and mechanics present.

C7

The paragraph uses mostly action verbs which add to the image created; however, there are several instances of the verb “to be” used as a main verb, or most verbs are weak.

The paragraph uses concrete, specific, and definite nouns to create images for the reader. However it uses excessive adjectives and adverbs to create its images. Some words are vague or abstract.

The paragraph shows rather than tells picking details and linking them to action verbs; however, several sentences tell rather than show.

The description includes enough description and detail to paint a relatively full picture for the reader. It covers 2-3 out of the 5 sense.

4-7 errors in grammar and mechanics present.

D6

Action verbs are used; however most main verbs are forms of the verb “to be.”

Nouns are largely vague or abstract, or they necessitate undue numbers of adjectives and adverbs to modify them.

The paragraph tells more than it shows. Using words like “see” “hear” “smell”… on a regular basis.

The paragraph leaves large blanks for the reader to piece in for him/herself. Two of the 5 senses are touched.

More than 8 errors in grammar and mechanics present.

F0-5

The verb “to be” is used as the primary verb in the paragraph.

Nouns are vague or abstract, and they necessitate undue numbers of adjectives and adverbs to modify them.

Paragraph simply tells using words like “see” “hear” “smell”… on a excessively.

The paragraph leaves large gaps for the reader to fill in. One a single sense in appealed to.

More than 15 errors in grammar and mechanics present.