EXPLODING THE MOMENT in writing

What does it mean to EXPLODE THE MOMENT?  Definition: When a moment is slowed WAAAAAY down for the purpose of painting a frame-by-frame picture for your reader. o Kind of like slow motion scenes in movies!  You can EXPLODE A MOMENT by including the following in your story: o Figurative Language o Imagery o “Show, Don’t Tell” writing method

Figurative Language Definition: Words or phrases that describe one thing in terms of another and is not meant to be understood at the literal level. – Literal: factual (you mean exactly what you say) Ex. “I let the cat out of the bag” literally means someone let a cat out of a bag. Ex. “I let the cat out of the bag” figuratively means that I told a secret that I should not have.

3 Main Types of Figurative Language Simile: a comparison between 2 unlike things using the words “like” or “as” – Ex. Your eyes are like the stars Metaphor: A comparison between 2 unlike things NOT using the words “like” or “as” – Ex. Your eyes are stars Personification: When an author gives a non- human item human traits or qualities – Ex. My computer hates me

Metaphors by Sylvia Plath I'm a riddle in nine syllables, An elephant, a ponderous house, A melon strolling on two tendrils. O’ red fruit, ivory, fine timbers! This loaf's big with its yeasty rising. Money's new-minted in this fat purse. I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf. I've eaten a bag of green apples, Boarded the train there's no getting off.

Now create your own… Think of a simile, metaphor, or personification that you can add into your “This I Believe…” essay. – Ex. As I saw the other car speeding toward my passenger side door, a scream shot of my mouth like a speeding bullet from a gun. – Ex. After I finally caught my breath, I managed to stumble out of my car like a newborn calf learning to stand for the first time.

Imagery Definition: Language that appeals to the 5 senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste). – Helps the reader to see and feel what is going on in a story. – Gives the reader the impression that they are there in the middle of the action.

Imagery Example Before I could even blink, the screeching tires from the approaching car turned into the sound of metal grinding against metal. My windows busted out, and my arms immediately began to sting as small shards of glass cut tiny incisions into my pale skin. I quickly came face to face with my rough, vinyl airbag, an encounter I don’t ever again wish to have. After our cars made initial contact, we continued to slide down the road until we came to a sudden halt as we smashed into a black Ford Mustang. Suddenly, the inside of my car began to fill with dust and smoke. The disgusting taste invaded my mouth and made it difficult to breath. This was my cue to pull it together and hightail it out of my car. As I stepped onto the street, the smell of burning rubber invaded my nose. It is a smell that, still to this day, brings back this memory.