1. Using Vivid Verbs with info from Houghton Mifflin Text p. 122
Sneaking a Surprise!
Using Vivid Verbs
with info from
Houghton Mifflin Text p. 122

2. Using Vivid Verbs Which example gives a better mind movie?
Shauna runs to her friend’s house.
Shauna races to her friend’s house.
A verb can show action. Use vivid verbs in your writing to create better mind movies for your readers.
Vivid verbs, like “races,” help readers to see the actions in their minds.

3. Replace BLAH verbs with vivid verbs to revise this story starter.
Zoe and Sam put a fancy bow on the top of the present. They put the present on Ryan’s porch and ring the doorbell. The children don’t want to be heard. They quietly walk down the steps. Back in the car, they see Ryan open the front door and quickly look around. The present is heavy, but Ryan’s mom helps him lift it off the porch. They bump into a wall as they walk into the house.

4. Challenge
Write an ending to the story starter on the previous slide. Include vivid verbs to make your ending more interesting and to give your readers a good mind movie.