Creative Writing Strategies

Creative Writing Strategies: Simile: a way of describing something using “like” or “as” Metaphor: a way of describing something comparing it something else without using “like” or “as” Personification: to compare something that is not human with human characteristics Onomatopoeia: words that are sounds Sensory Imagery: describing what something sounds, smells, looks, feels, tastes like Sentence Painting: painting a picture in the mind of the reader using descriptive word choices (strong verbs and descriptive adjectives)

The angry winds slashed its way across the island.

The friendly gate welcomed us home.

Frosty, the snowman, was a jolly happy soul with a corncob pipe and a button nose, and two eyes made out of coal.

The creamy hot chocolate was topped off with fluffy white goodness, also known as marshmallows.

The Earth choked and coughed from all the pollution.

My favorite meal from McDonald’s is a value meal: ten all-white meat chicken nuggets smothered in sweet-n-sour sauce; crispy, golden, salty french fries drenched in ketchup; and an ice-cold diet Coke.

“Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings, their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full moon. Swooping down to the earth, they hover near houses and deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of blood, companions of witches and demons, bats – the very word brings a shiver of fear to most people.” ~ Sylvia A. Johnson, Bats

“Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it blew, the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our voices jiggled every time we talked.” From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez