Showing posts with label Sentence Starters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sentence Starters. Show all posts

Sunday, April 22, 2018

In this Blog Post I will Explain Why You Should Never Use "I know this because..." and other ideas to strengthen your writing.

Good afternoon, writers!! We're here from lovely West Warwick, Rhode Island with 2 fantastic tips to strengthen your writing today. These teeny-tiny tips are easy to put into action and add a punch to your writing.

Tip #1: Don't write about your writing.

I don't know when this became a fad, but some writers write about their writing instead of just writing it... You've all seen this. Maybe you're even guilty of doing it yourself.
It goes a little like this.
"In this essay, I will talk about why twins are so important to the world."
or
"For my next paragraph, I will say the second reason why twins are important to the world."

Instead of just writing your claim--- Twins are important to the world. The writer chooses to do this, kind of strangish narrator voice-over of their own writing.



The narration might work for documentaries -- the lion will walk over to the pond-- but it doesn't work in writing. We just don't speak like that.

Your reader is smarter than you think.
If your writing is clear, your reader will be able to tell what the essay is about. No need to tell them. If you've done your job, the reader will know what the point of your paragraph is.

Anytime you feel the urge to write about your writing, stop, put your Chromebook down, and walk a lap around the room. When you come back, look at the page with fresh eyes and just write your thoughts. Forget the empty phrases. Get down to business.


Usually, all you need to do is to take out the narration. "This essay will be about the differences between Anne and Peter." can be changed to "There are many differences between Anne and Peter." Then go into your explanation. Simple as that most times.

Tip #2: Do not write "I know this because..."

As a writer, your job is to state your arguments or tell your story with
authority and strength.  
Paying attention to your word choices will help you succeed.
It’s important that your words are varied (different, not repetitive) and sophisticated.



One bad habit that some writers develop is to explain their evidence basically
the
same way...
over and over.
They say, "I know this because..."

"Now, wait a minute, Miss Enos! I thought we were supposed to avoid using the
word "I" in our writing!" You might say.

Well, you'd be right.

Not only do you use the word I when explaining your evidence that way, but when you
repeat similar phrases over and over and over our writing gets boring and
lacks sophistication and energy.

There are so many interesting words and phrases out there that
you could choose instead!



Don’t stick with the same words that you used in your younger days.
Get creative!  Think beyond your writing comfort zone.

Click on this document with some sentence starters
and Try some of these instead!

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Shake Things Up! Vary how you start your sentences

Good writers know to avoid boring writing.

Why choose the same words and sentence structure when the world is your oyster?!  Take time to craft your writing and consider the musicality of it.  How your writing sounds will affect your reader.  Does it sound repetitive... the same... over... and over and over???  Or does it flow with music and an intriguing rhythm??

Image result for vary how your sentences start

Be daring!  Be different!

No Robot Writing!

Image result for no robot writing

Check out this illustration of the power of varying your sentences:

Image result for vary how your sentences start

Notice a difference?!  This is an artist, taking the time to craft his writing to make sure it sounds interesting and sophisticated!

Image result for writing musically

Are you a Then-aholic?  When you tell a story, is it filled with "Then this happened..." "Then this happened..."  "Then this happened..."?  If so, something as simple as a sheet of transition words and phrases may be the key.

Check out this great resource! 

Image result for zombie writing

First Impressions Matter:

If you need more ideas for how to structure your sentences to avoid the ever-dreaded "Robot-Writing," take a look at this resource!  There are lots of different ways to start a sentence. The trick is to learn how to use them all.   Check out some of these options and see if you can shake up your sentences by varying how you start them!  


1.  'ING' Phrase
Ex. Seizing the knife, Bryan stabbed the zombie.
Jumping up, the zombie refused to stay dead.
2. Use a verb with -ed  or an -ed phrase
Ex. Amazed, he stood stock still with his mouth wide open, like a goldfish
Surprised by all the other zombies that attacked him, Bryan screamed.


3.  Use a simile
Ex. Like bees in a hive, the zombies swarmed all over Bryan.
Like a red river, Bryan’s blood flowed out of his body.


4.  Use an adverb
Ex. Slowly, the zombies climbed off of his corpse.
Carefully, Bryan opened his now “undead” eyes.

5. Use a prepositional phrase (anything a plane can do to a cloud)
around- above - across - after - at - before - behind - below - beneath - beside - between - by - down - for - from - inside - in - near- next - of - off - over - through - to -towards - under - up - with
Ex. Around the time he was bitten, Bryan started to turn into a zombie himself.
Behind the sofa, the children huddled for fear of this new zombie.


6.  Use an AAAWWUBBIS- Although, after, as, while, when, until, because, before, if since
Ex. While he tried not to hurt anyone as a human, he killed lots of people as a zombie.

Since Bryan was so hungry now, he ate everyone in the room!  

Image result for zombie writing




Sunday, November 22, 2015

Resources for Writing Your Short Stories

Hello, writers!



AS you continue to work on the revisions for your short story, here are some helpful resources that make writing a  whole lot easier!



First, we have a list of transition words for narrative writing.   Don't give your reader whiplash as you abruptly jump from one place or time to another.  Guide them along with transitions. Working on your organization and transitions will help your reader "see" the story better and make your writing smoother.  Try it out and see!




Secondly, we have a guide for punctuating dialogue.  It's sometimes tricky!  I get it!  You just have to learn the rules of the road here.  You can do it!  Good dialogue can drive your plot and effectively paint a picture in the head of your reader!  Show us what's going on!  Use it correctly so your dialogue can work to help your story and not confuse your reader even more.


Lastly, we address the word said.  Repeating the word said over and over again (He said. She said. We said.) can make your writing sound boring and takes away the chance to provide some specific, showing detail. Try changing some of your "saids" to more specific verbs. Check out this list of said synonyms for some ideas.


If you are interested in seeing any other tools, let me know!!
Happy writing!
Create worlds!! 

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Art of the Rebuttal

Ah, the art of the rebuttal.

We've seen lawyers do it in the movies and on TV:
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, although you have seen some gruesome evidence in this trial so far, I am here to tell you that the wrong man is being blamed for this crime!"

Image result for judge jury

We've seen  salesmen do it to make a sale:
"You may be thinking, 'Gee, that sure is a lot to spend on a car!' But, seriously, think about how much time you spend in your car.  Half of your life is spent driving around!  Do you really want to skimp on comfort in, what is basically, your second home?"

Image result for car salesman

Dentists do it:
"I know flossing every night is a pain, but you would look pretty silly without any teeth if they rot away, right?"

And, yes, teenagers do it:
"Mom, I know that a trip to DC with my 8th grade class is expensive, but just think about all the educational experiences I will have!  That kind of learning is priceless!"



Anybody who is skilled at argument knows the value of a strong rebuttal.

You never want to just barge your way through an argument, spouting off only reasons why you are right, without acknowledging the other side.  It's disrespectful to your audience to just say- well, you're wrong! without giving careful consideration to what they think or feel, or what the evidence may be against your arguments.  Good argument is built on honest attention to the facts.  You can't just wish them away and yell the loudest that your side is right.  That may have worked on the playground, but not in the real world.

But how do we address the other side of our argument, the counter-argument, without weakening our own claim?

Very carefully!  You want to be clear to acknowledge what the other point of view is, while still making your point very well understood.  No wishy-washy responses.  No flip-flopping.  Respect their points of view, but stick to your claim.

Try using these sentences starters to help with counter-arguments and rebuttals.  They are a great way to organize your ideas, without weakening your piece.  Make people take you seriously!





Tuesday, May 19, 2015

In conclusion, transition words are key!

HI Everyone!

Transition words are very important to organize your ideas.  Think of your writing as a conversation between you and the reader.  You want to make sure you clearly guide your reader through your writing piece.  Transition words and phrases are key for that.



The tough part is varying the transition words you use.  Don't be a next-aholic!  Move past first, second, third.  Varying your transitions will help to strengthen your writing.  You all know how much I like sentence starters.  Right up until I graduated from college, I always had my starters in front of me when I write.  It's a great way to make sure I don't overuse my favorites.  Writing that's the same all the time is boring!  Shake it up!

This sheet of transition words and phrases will help you vary your writing and stay organized.

Furthermore, use it!!!