Using Active Verbs Adding More Elaboration to our Writing

Definition: O Active verbs add vigor and muscle to our writing.

Example O (Lame) The man broke his nose. It bled. O The man smashed his nose against the sidewalk. Blood splashed from both nostrils, soaking him with snot and bone.

Example O Niamh looked out the window while Mr. Z. talked. O Niamh pressed her head against the classroom window; her eyes desperately searched the barren, half-frozen football field for signs of life while Mr. Z. blathered on and on and on.

O Can you improve Z’s weak sentences?

The family approached their father.

The boxer looked at his opponent.

The man held the dog.