Adding Variety to your sentences and description to your writing Power Sentences Adding Variety to your sentences and description to your writing

Formula Descriptive clause/phrase+ , + subject + strong verb + adjective/description.

You Must Describe the Subject While the dogs barked ferociously, Jason unlocked the rod iron door. While his heart pounded and beads of salty sweat slid down his back, Jason unlocked the rod iron door.

Fix it! Original: While the dogs barked ferociously, Jason unlocked the rod iron door. Replace: _________________, Jason unlocked the rod iron door.

TIP: Writing the Descriptive Clause While While his heart pounded and beads of salty sweat slid down his back, … With With colors twisting together in a majestic tango, … As As a sinister grin spread across her weathered face, … -ing Flickering on and off in the building windows, …

Fix it! Original: While the dogs barked ferociously, Jason unlocked the rod iron door. Replace: _________________, Jason unlocked the rod iron door. PS: Looking behind him with a rushed nervousness, Jason unlocked the rod iron door.

Is it a power sentence? Adorned with tattered laces and covered in flaking mud, the shoe hung haphazardly from the leafless tree. While rain spilled from the clouds, we ran for cover under the bridge. As Jess walked down the street, he thought about his mistake. With flaring nostrils and reddening cheeks, Amanda stormed down the cracked sidewalk. Skin folding over his bushy eyebrows, the troll went down the path, using his wart-covered finger to urge us along.

Reaching out its orange and gold rays, the sun awakened the emerald valley.

As if made of cotton clouds, the river babbled over the soft rocks.

PS – Fill in the Blank Descriptive clause/phrase + , + subject + strong verb + adjective/description.

__________ , the clothes cascaded off the unmade bed, blanketing the stained carpet.

__________ , the northern lights ribboned across the starry night like tendrils of smoke.

__________ , Amber _________ as if possessed from within.

________ , sweat ___ _____________.

________ , the shoes___ _____________.

________ , ___ ____ _____________.

Power Sentences Descriptive clause/phrase + , + subject + strong verb + adjective/description.

Tips For Writing Powerful Power Sentences Focus on ONE subject DON’T include the subject in the descriptive clause/phrase Leave the beginning descriptive clause/phrase until the end Start the descriptive clause/phrase with with, as, or while.

Activity One group member will come up and grab a picture. Each group member will, individually, construct a power sentence about the photo. Once everyone is done, rotate your papers, so you can check each other’s sentences. Make corrections and suggestions. Once you are sure all sentences are power sentences, a new group member should bring the picture back and exchange it for a new one.