An Introduction to Brushstrokes (from Image Grammar)

Core Sentence: The dog walked across the lawn.

#1 Painting with Appositives Simple Definition: a noun that renames the noun before it (use an article- the, an, a - to be sure it is an appositive) Example: “a mixed Lab and Collie” New Sentence: The dog, a mixed Lab and Collie, walked across the lawn.

# 2 Painting with Adjectives out of Order Simple Definition: placing adjectives somewhere other than before the noun Example: “parched and hungry” New Sentence: The dog, parched and hungry, walked across the lawn.

# 3 Painting with Action Verbs Simple Definition: Use strong action verbs whenever possible Example: “limped” New Sentence: The dog, parched and hungry, limped across the lawn.

Practice them! Revise the following core sentences by adding each of the brushstrokes you just learned.

Core Sentence The train came into the station.

Appositive The train, ______, came into the station.

Adjectives Out of Order The train, _____and _____, came into the station.

Action Verbs The train came into the station.

Let’s hear your revisions! Smoky and massive, the train, a jet-black steam engine, thundered into the station.

# 4 Painting with Prepositions Simple Definition: a phrase with an introductory “direction, time, space” word Example: “with her puppies” New Sentence: The dog, a mixed Lab and Collie, limped with her puppies across the lawn.

#5 Painting with Absolutes Simple Definition: a noun + an “-ing” verb Example: “Ears drooping” New Sentence: Ears drooping, the dog limped with her puppies across the lawn.

# 6 Painting with Participles/Participial Phrases Simple Definition: “-ing” or “-ed” form of a verb Example: “Foaming at the mouth” New Sentence: Foaming at the mouth, the dog, a mixed Lab and Collie, limped with her puppies across the lawn.

Practice them! Revise the following core sentences by adding each of the brushstrokes you just learned.

Core Sentence The ballerina leaped powerfully.

Prepositional Phrase The ballerina leaped powerfully _________.

Absolute ________, the ballerina leaped powerfully.

Participle/Participial Phrase The ballerina, leaped powerfully, __________.

Let’s hear your revisions! Smile beaming, the ballerina leaped powerfully through the air, leaving the audience breathless.