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Tag Archives: Writers Resources
Color coding characters
Physical appearance descriptions are only superficial. Describing hair, eyes, skin or clothing colors tells the reader nothing about internal motives. However, assigning specific colors to important characters is a good shortcut for coding their personality. You can remember what major … Continue reading
Physiological writing
What exactly are physiological reactions? Imagine you are a young teenage girl. You are waiting in the math hall, and that handsome senior with an air of indifferent confidence strolls past you on the way to calculus. Normally you are … Continue reading
Transformations
For a recent assignment, students were to examine an advertisement. Questions led them to look at the visuals: subject of emphasis, originality of image, the placement of objects, type of people pictured. Then, they examined techniques such as use of … Continue reading
Word of media
Recently we had to evacuate the school due to a gas leak. Students were jammed up against the back fence of a subdivision across from the school. Fire trucks roared past, lights flashing and phones were raised in the air … Continue reading
Posted in The writer's voice, Writer's resource
Tagged Facebook, Standard written English, Twitter, Writers Resources
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Vibrant verbs
Writers can throw around the terms used to describe interesting language – sensory images, unusual syntax, well-developed descriptions, and vibrant verbs. But incorporating these into writing and preserving the flow is a challenge. Recently I worked with some nascent writers trying to … Continue reading
Posted in Teaching writing skills, The writer's voice, Writer's resource
Tagged Verb, words to replace said, Writers Resources, Writing
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More than what you see
The term ‘imagery’ brings to mind, of course, images–verbal pictures that allow us to peer into the world which an author has dreamed up. Imagery sometimes implies page after page of descriptive detail–in which case you might risk having the … Continue reading
Posted in Literary devices, The writer's voice, Writer's resource
Tagged allusion, imagery, schizophrenia, Synesthesia, Writer, Writers Resources
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Deciding on a direction
“Say what you are going to say, say it, and finally say what you have said.” I don’t know how many times I’ve heard this rule for organizing the written word repeated in the educational realm. But rules are meant … Continue reading
The speed signs for writing
The way we string together words and the type of words we use contribute to the “pace” of writing. Longer sentences with a plethora of subordinated clauses provide an intellectual sound to the writing. The reader must take more time to … Continue reading
The writer’s voice
When people speak they produce many different signals that the audience can interpret: facial expressions, gestures, and timbre of voice can add to the meaning of the words, or reverse them. For example, a person saying “Good job!” in a … Continue reading
Posted in Teaching writing skills, The writer's voice, Writer's resource
Tagged Creative writing, Voice, Writers Resources
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The reason for writing
Because of the glaring short comings of multiple choice question as an indicator of persons ability to evaluate or synthesize idea, the written essay has become a staple of state-mandated educational tests. Writing does take a lot more planning of … Continue reading
Posted in Teaching writing skills, Writer's resource
Tagged Alan Paton, Essay, state assessments, Writers Resources, Writing
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