1. Word Choice Liven up your writing!!!

2. Basics of Word Choice • The writer understands the importance of strong verbs • The writer understands the importance of precise nouns • The writer understands the importance of interesting adjectives • The writer has taken risks with words • If appropriate, the writer has used alliteration or other types of sound devices

3. How can we “liven up” these bland sentences? • Use specific verbs and specific nouns • I walked to the beach and looked at the sunset. • I saunteredslowly to the serene beach at Piere Marquette and admired the bright red sun as it melted into the pale pink sky to create a magnificent sunset. • Use adjectives and adverbs • The surfersurfed on the waves. • The blonde haired, blue-eyed, brazen surferconquered the waves fiercely, gliding along each one effortlessly. • Use alliteration • The boy made a sand castle. • The beautiful, baby boyplayed in the pure, pristine sand crystals as he erected an elaborate sand castle.

4. Use the thesaurus when you write!Take risks! • Step out of your comfort zone and take a chance with words! It is fun and liberating. You writing will thank you and your audience will be more engaged in your writing. Don’t settle for boring words; liven things up a bit with words you have never used! • Always ALWAYS use plenty of adjectives and adverbs to create liveliness in your writing. • Use specific nouns and verbs to convey the message you want to send. • Play around with alliteration; your writing will roll of the reader’s tongue and resonate in his/her mind.

5. Your Assignment • Senses Activity • DIRECTIONS: • Write 6 paragraphs • The paragraphs should each be 8 sentences or more • Start a new page for each paragraph • Use vivid descriptive words, specific nouns and verbs, alliteration, adjectives and adverbs, and USE YOUR THESAURUS!!!! • In the paragraphs you can use actions, but make sure you stay focused on the sense that you are writing about. • Include one image with each picture. The pictures can be personal and the paragraphs can draw from personal experiences. • The paragraphs will be worth 10 points each

6. HEARING: Describe the sounds of these things… • *…a fire drill • *…a rain / thunder storm • *…the crowd at a game • *…the farm • *…a racetrack • SMELLS: Describe how these things smell… • *…a floral shop • *…a locker room • *…a guy or girl’s cologne • *…rain • *…your favorite food

7. TASTES: Describe how these things taste… • *…your favorite food • *…something your mom or grandma makes • *…something served at the school cafeteria • *…your least favorite food • *…something spicy • TOUCH: Describe how these things feel when touched… • *…a bag of cotton balls • *…cotton candy • *…glue • *…a fish • *…plastic wrap • SIGHT: Describe how these things look…(use color, appearance, movement, shape) • *…the lights on a cop car • *…your car • *…a dozen roses • *…an instrument

8. Hearing • Slowly, methodically, the waves roll gently upon the unassuming shore creating a soft splash with each hit. The rhythm of Lake Michigan resounds in my mind and unconsciously, I begin to hum. Out of the clear blue sky, seagulls abruptly attack the serenity with their savage screams. Patiently, I wait until they pass by and I am left alone with the solitude of the sand, which makes a swooshing sound as I stroll along it’s back. Meandering further down the beach, I approach a family frolicking happily on the beach, children screeching with laughter, a father hollering for his dog, and the shrill, barking response from his golden retriever. In the distance, Creedence Clearwater Revival is booming from a radio, bellowing “Born on the Bayou”. Closing my eyes, I try to capture the sounds of this moment so I can play it back later when I miss Michigan.