1. Writing With Power

2. Strong Verbs = Showing Writing Instead of talking loudly, I should shout. Instead of walking proudly, I should strut. Instead of resting calmly, I should relax. Instead of hitting hard, I should wallop. Instead of writing long windedly, I should elaborate.

3. Strong Verbs Equal Strong Writing Strong verbs show instead of tell Example: The tiger ate the antelope. The tiger devoured the antelope.

4. Strong Verbs Equal Strong Writing Single verbs show better than verb/adverb combinations Example: He uses time wisely when writing essays. He maximizes time when writing essays.

5. Strong Verbs Equal Strong Writing Be verbs (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been) suck the life out of your writing! Example: The pedestrian was run over by the school bus. The school bus ran over the pedestrian.

6. Strong Verbs Equal Strong Writing Have/has/had combined with a noun encourage readers to wedge their head in a vice. Example: I had an argument with the referee. I argued with the referee

7. Practice The Buffalo injured the hunter. The Buffalo gored the hunter. The lion ferociously ate the gazelle. The lion gobbled the gazelle. He was bludgeoned by the boxer. The boxer bludgeoned him. I had dinner with the sheriff. I dined with the sheriff.

8. Your Turn Find 10 examples of vivid, strong verbs in the stories we have read: “The Necklace” “Marigolds” “Christmas Memory” “Life Without Go-go Boots” “The Gift of the Magi” “Glory and Hope”

9. http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/14425.aspx