Writing to Become a Better Writer Understanding how to develop strong writing skills.

Showing vs. Telling Verbs are action words. But did you know there are actually weak verbs and strong verbs? Let’s look at the difference between weak and strong verbs. WEAK VERBSTRONG VERB

Battle of the Verbs Weak verbs are words that have been over-used or don’t add any new information to the sentence. They are okay, but they lack imagination. weak The bunny went across the field. Strong verbs add more information to the sentence. Strong verbs paint a word picture in the reader’s mind and create mature, well-written sentences. strong The bunny scampered across the field.

Common Student Errors Students usually write what is known as “telling” sentences such as the ones below: The puppy is cute. I am bored. Strong sentences “show” what the writer is trying to say. Remember that the reader cannot see the image in your head. The cute puppy wriggles in excitement whenever someone comes in the door. I twiddle my thumbs out of boredom.

Example from Literature Fred and George, the Weasley twins, weren’t “looking” at Harry and his scar, they “gawked” at him. They weren’t “walking” into the room, they “bounded” in (which certainly suits the personality of the exuberant twins).

“Dead” Verbs to Avoid amis are was bewere hadany verb ending in “ing” hassense verbs (“looks,” “smells,” have“sounds,” “feels” “DYING” Verbs (act as helping verbs) become/becamemake/made act/actedexist/existed seem/seemedresemble/resembled