“Paint Your Picture” Using ACTIVE VERB Brush Strokes Designed & Developed by Deanne Davis, Council Traditional School, 2006 (All Rights Reserved)

Active Verb Brush Strokes Using ACTIVE VERBSUsing ACTIVE VERBS can add visual description to your writing; ACTIVE (ACTION) VERB VISUALIZE (SEE)An ACTIVE (ACTION) VERB is a verb that shows action and can help readers VISUALIZE (SEE) your writing; ACTION VERBAn ACTION VERB should replace helping or linking verbs.

Active Verb Brush Strokes EXAMPLE #1 isTarget sentence: The kitten is sleeping. active verbTarget sentence with an active verb: slumbers The kitten slumbers peacefully on the kitchen floor.

Active Verb Brush Strokes EXAMPLE #2 isTarget sentence: The steak is juicy. active verbTarget sentence with an active verb: trickle Juices trickle from the perfectly grilled steak.

Active Verb Brush Strokes EXAMPLE #3 Target sentence: The race car was wrecked. active verbTarget sentence with an active verb: flipped, rolled, broke apart The race car flipped, rolled, and broke apart in midair.

Active Verb Brush Strokes EXAMPLE #4 wasTarget sentence: The storm was powerful. active verbTarget sentence with an active verb: demolished The storm demolished homes in its path.

Active Verb Brush Strokes YOUR TURN isThe shark is vicious.

Active Verb Brush Strokes Can you do it without a target sentence?

Active Verb Brush Strokes Try some more…