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Mrs. Stone’s Guide to

Writing

This guide contains many helpful tools for

writing, including:

- Sensory Image Words - Writing Thesis Statements - using MLA format correctly - Writing Great Beginnings - Tired Words - Developing Great Endings - Transition Word Possibilities - Parts of Speech - becoming a better speller - Instead of “Said” - Strong Verbs - Better Adjectives - using scope - Better Adverbs - Using Specific Details - writing to respond to literature

©Stone Central Teaching Resources – Elizabeth A. Stone 2011 – copying without express written permission or purchase is prohibited

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Sensory Image Words Words that cause us to use our senses-touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing are called Sensory Image Words. When you use sensory image words in your writing you create vibrant feelings for those who read your writing. This happens because you are able to engage more parts of your reader’s brain, as they read. To become a good writer you must strive to use Sensory Image Words every time you write.

Sensory Words for Describing Objects:

Size/Weight bulky colossal enormous gigantic huge tiny immense massive minute towering light

Shape broad bent coiled crooked curved deep shallow wide steep square round oblong tapered haphazard misshapen clumped narrow

Color flaming dark bright glowing flashing dull pale flickering glaring dazzling radiant colorful shiny multicolored garish luminous monochromatic lackluster

Sound thumping squeaking tinkling ringing clanging sizzling pulsing screeching hissing humming rustling buzzing popping pounding splashing thudding snapping snapping crashing throbbing pinging

Odor antiseptic burning clean fresh fragrant medicinal delightful musty pungent putrid strong sweet reek delicious

Texture bumpy crinkled fluffy muddy murky rippling shear wispy cold icy hot warm smooth rough grainy sandy moist dry satiny silky velvety oily slippery hairy uneven jagged prickly elastic shaggy cool cuddly greasy tickly gooey gritty slushy earthy lukewarm rubbery

Sensory Words for Describing Animals and People:

Eyes beady black blue bright brilliant brown clear dark dazzling dreamy dull enormous expressive flashing flaming glaring gleaming glistening glowing gray large laughing oval radiant shimmering sparkling starry wide

Stature/Body Build bent big bulky chubby colossal crooked enormous fat gigantic graceful grotesque heavy huge immense large light little long massive minute petite portly short skinny small stout tall thin tiny towering lanky gangling

Hair/Body Covering bald black blonde brown brunette coarse crinkled curly dark feathered fluffy fuzzy glistening golden green gray long red scaly short smooth spotted straight thick white yellow

Complexion black blushing dark light pale radiant rosy tan white blotchy

Personality bold ferocious fierce generous gentle happy kingly mean shy sly vicious kind


Sensory Words for Describing Settings:

Weather balmy breezy cold cool damp dusty dry foggy frosty hazy hot humid murky rainy starry steamy stormy sunny warm wet windy

Sounds babbling banging bark bawl bellowing blaring blasting bleat booming bumping buzzing cackle cheering chiming clamoring clanging clapping clashing coo crackling crashing crook crunching cry deafening echoing exploding groan growl gurgling hiss hissing hoot howl howling humming inaudible jingling jangling lapping loud noisy patter peal popping purr quiet raging rasping raucous rowdy ringing roaring reverberating rumbling rustling scream screech screeching shrill silence sizzling sloshing snapping snarl snort splashing squeaking still swishing thudding thumping thundering uproar wail whimpering whine whispering whistling working yelling

Odors antiseptic burning clean earthy fragrant fresh gaseous medicinal moldy musty piney pungent rotten smoky stagnant stale strong sweet


Sensory Words for Describing Foods:

Taste biting bittersweet bland burnt buttery creamy crisp delicious fishy flavorful fruity gingery grainy hearty hot juicy mild minty nutty oily peppery salty savory smooth sour spicy strong sugary sweet tangy tart tasteless tasty vinegary zesty

Texture bubbly chewy cold crunchy dry gooey grainy gritty hard hot icy moist oily rough slick slimy smooth soft sticky waxy

Odor apples bacon sweet bakery-like cinnamon freshly baked bread delicious fishy fresh meaty pungent salty savory smoky sour spicy strong


“Said” is…Dead!

Instead of using the verb “said”, be creative and find a substitute

Loud Quiet Positive Negative Mental Questioning

Declared Whispered Stated Lied Thought Requested

Yelled Murmured Answered Begged Remembered Asked

Shouted Muttered Joked Bragged Wondered Questioned

Gasped Sighed Laughed Demanded Guessed Quizzed

Pleaded Squeaked Described Ordered Specified Pretended

Cried Cautioned Explained Retorted Recalled Prodded

Boasted Purred Added Debated Reasoned Estimated

Babbled Rumored Claimed Finned Recommended Probed

Chuckled Mumbled Offered Interrupted Reminded Examined

Announced Hissed Reminded Interjected Corrected Inquired

Insisted Insinuated Admitted Exploded Proposed Investigated

Roared Called Ridiculed Quoted

Squealed Promised Denied Recited

Shrieked Suggested Disagreed Responded

Blubbered Invited Bickered Restated

Bellowed Spoke Belittled Specified

Exclaimed Praised Argued

Exploded Presented Stammered

Broadcasted Expressed

Commanded Allowed

Beckoned Apologized

Cried out Advocated

Screamed Spoke

Spice up your writing with adverbs! Adverbs – modify a verb and can be used to give writing specific detail. Examples of adverbs are listed below:

Accidentally afterwards almost always angrily annually

Anxiously awkwardly Badly blindly boastfully

Boldly bravely briefly brightly busily

Calmly carefully carelessly cautiously cheerfully

clearly correctly courageously crossly cruelly

Daily deliberately defiantly doubtfully Easily

elegantly enormously equally eventually enthusiastically

exactly Faithfully far fast fatally

fierce fondly foolishly fortunately frantically

Gently gladly gracefully greedily Happily

honestly hourly hungrily Innocently inquisitively

irritably joyously justly Kindly Lazily

less loosely loudly Madly merrily

monthly more mortally mysteriously Nearly

neatly nervously never noisily Not

Obediently obnoxiously often only Painfully

perfectly politely poorly powerfully promptly

punctually Quickly quietly Rapidly rarely

really recklessly regularly reluctantly repeatedly

rightfully roughly rudely Sadly safely

seldom selfishly seriously shakily sharply

shrilly shyly silently sleepily slowly

smoothly softly solemnly sometimes soon

speedily stealthily sternly successfully suddenly

suspiciously swiftly Tenderly tensely thoughtfully

tightly tomorrow truthfully Unexpectedly Very

victoriously violently Warmly weakly Yearly


Strong Verbs: Choose active, precise verbs to invigorate your writing!

Accelerate Contract Evaluate Inventory Position Restructure Utilize Accomplish Convert Examine Investigate Predict Retrieve Verbalize Achieve Coordinate Exceed Judge Prepare Review Verify Acquire Correct Execute Justify Prescribe Revise Win Adapt Counsel Exhibit Launch Present Revitalize Write Address Craft Expand Lead Preside Satisfy Advance Create Expedite Lecture Process Schedule Advise Critique Experiment License Procure Secure Advocate Decrease Export Listen Program Select Analyze Define Facilitate Locate Progress Separate Apply Delegate Finalize Maintain Project Serve Appoint Deliver Finance Manage Project Manager Arbitrate Demonstrate Forge Manipulate Promote Simplify Architect Deploy Form Manufacture Propose Sold Arrange Design Formalize Map Prospect Solidify Ascertain Detail Formulate Market Provide Solve Assemble Detect Found Mastermind Publicize Specify Assess Determine Generate Measure Purchase Speak Assist Develop Govern Meditate Purchase Standardize Author Devise Graduate Mentor Qualify Stimulate Authorize Direct Guide Model Question Streamline Brief Discover Halt Modify Rate Structure Budget Dispense Head Monitor Realign Succeed Build Display Hire Motivate Rebuild Suggest Calculate Distribute Honor Navigate Recapture Summarize Capture Diversify Hypothesize Negotiate Receive Supervise Catalog Divert Identify Nominate Recognize Supply Champion Document Illustrate Normalize Recommend Support Chart Double Imagine Observe Reconcile Surpass Clarify Draft Implement Obtain Record Synthesize Classify Drive Import Offer Recruit Systematize Close Earn Improve Officiate Redesign Tabulate Coach Edit Improvise Operate Reduce Target Collect Educate Increase Orchestrate Reengineer Teach Command Effect Influence Organize Regain Terminate Communicate Elect Inform Orient Regulate Test Compare Eliminate Initiate Originate Rehabilitate Thwart Compel Emphasize Innovate Outsource Reinforce Train Compile Enact Inspect Overcome Rejuvenate Transcribe Complete Encourage Inspire Oversee Render Transfer Compute Endure Install Participate Renegotiate Transform Conceive Energize Institute Perceive Reorganize Transition Conclude Enforce Instruct Perfect Report Translate Conduct Engineer Integrate Perform Reposition Troubleshoot Conserve Enhance Intensify Persuade Represent Unify Consolidate Enlist Interpret Pilot Research Unite Construct Ensure Interview Pinpoint Resolve Update Consult Establish Introduce Pioneer Respond Upgrade Continue Estimate Invent Plan Restore Use


Some words in the English language tend to be overused and, therefore, lose their power. In my English Classroom, These words are referred to as TIRED WORDS. Below is a list of tired words and some interesting alternatives. This list is not limited to just these words!

WORD ALTERNATIVE

a lot, lots Numerous, heaps, many scores, innumerable, much a great deal,

many times, often also Too, moreover, besides, as well as, in addition to awesome, cool, rad fine, wonderful, marvelous, fantastic, excellent awful dreadful, alarming, frightful, terrible, horrid, shocking but however, moreover, yet, still, nevertheless, though, although, on the

other had fun pleasant, pleasurable, amusing, entertaining, jolly funny amusing, comical, laughable, jovial, strange, peculiar, unusual got, get received, obtained, attained, succeed in good excellent, exceptional, fine, marvelous, splendid, superb, wonderful great wonderful, outstanding, marvelous, fantastic, excellent guy man, person, fellow, boy, individual have to need to, must kid child, boy, girl, youngster, youth, teen, teenager, adolescent like such as, similar to, similarly mad angry, frustrated, furious, incensed, enraged, irate nice pleasant, charming, fascinating, captivating, delightful, pleasurable,

pleasing pretty attractive, comely, beautiful scared afraid, fearful, terrified, frightened so this, according, therefore then first, second, next, later, finally, afterwards, meanwhile, soon very extremely, exceedingly, fantastically, unusually, incredibly, intensely,

truly, fully, especially, shockingly, bitterly, immeasurable, infinitely, severely, surely, mightily, powerfully, chiefly


For Amazing Persuasive Writing… Use S.C.O.P.E.

S = Statistics C = Comparisons 0 = Observations P = Predictions E Exaggeration

Types of Details

Facts – details that can be proven

In 2004, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series by sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals

Statistics – present numerical facts about a specific topic

Whole-grain bread contains up to six times more dietary fiber that regular white bread

Examples – statements that illustrate a main point

Every region presents climate related challenges (main point). Southeastern coastal regions are subject to hurricanes.

The Great Plains are vulnerable to tornados, while the Northern regions experience howling blizzards and periods of

dangerous subzero temperatures.

Anecdotes – brief stories that make a point about a topic. They are often more effective than a

matter of fact list of details.

Abraham Lincoln had a dry wit and a sharp sense of humor. Two men once asked him to settle an argument they were having about

the proper proportion of the length of a man’s legs to his torso. After acknowledging the seriousness of the matter, Lincoln

concluded: “After much thought and consideration, not to mention mental worry and anxiety, it is my opinion, all side issues being

swept aside, that a man’s lower limbs, in order to preserve harmony of proportion , should be at least long enough to reach from his

body to the ground.”

Steps in the Writing Process Prewriting – Selecting a Topic and Details

Collect facts, examples, and other details about your topic.

Select a specific topic that meets the requirements of the assignment.

Write a topic sentence stating what you are writing about, ( you will do this for each paragraph in an essay.)

Decide on the best way to organize the supporting details in each paragraph.

Drafting – Creating a First Draft

Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence.

Follow with sentences that support your topic. Use your planning sheet to help you focus.

Connect thoughts and ideas using transition words

Close each paragraph with a sentence that restates your topic, and leads into the next paragraph

Revising – Improving Your Writing

Add information if you need to say more about your topic.

Move sentences that aren’t in the best order.

Delete sentences that don’t support the topic.

Rewrite any sentences that are unclear.

Editing – Checking for Conventions

Check the revised draft for punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and spelling errors.

Publishing – Write a neat final draft, and proofread it one last time

Tip –

When you write, remember that the reader wants to …

Learn something (offer new and interesting information Hear the writer’s voice (let your personality come through in

the writing.)


Using Transitions

Transitions can be used to connect one sentence to another sentence within a paragraph, or to connect one

paragraph to another within a longer essay or report. The page below shows a number of transitions and how

they are used.

Words used to show location: Above Around Between Inside Outside To the left

Against Behind By Under Over Beside

Along Below Down Near Throughout In Front of

Among Beneath In back of Next to To the right On top of

Words used to show time: First To begin Now First Finally Before

Second To continue Soon Then In the end During

Third To conclude Eventually Next Meanwhile After

Words used to emphasize a point:

For this reason Truly In fact Again

Especially To Emphasize To repeat As I said

Words used to add information: For example For instance Next Another

Additionally Besides Moreover Along With

Finally Also As well In Addition

Words used to clarify: For instance For example

In other words Equally important

Words used to conclude or summarize: Finally As a result To sum it up In conclusion

Lastly Therefore Because All in all

Writing Thesis Statements A successful thesis statement tells the reader exactly what you are writing about. When you are writing an

essay or longer piece, like a research paper your thesis statement commonly goes at the end of your

introductory paragraph. Not only does a thesis statement help your reader understand your writing, it

helps you maintain focus on your topic as you write.

As you attempt to construct a thesis statement for a piece of writing you should keep several things in mind.

A thesis statement is meant to really focus your reader’s attention on your topic. This is the sentence

that really captures their attention and causes them to want to read more. Thesis Statements can

express your strong feelings about a topic, and even “take a stand” on a certain issue that is important to you. You will probably need to write several versions of your Thesis Statement before you hit on

the perfect tone and wording for your piece.

Much like Algebra there is an effective formula for constructing a good thesis statement. It goes something like this:

A Specific Topic + Your feelings, a stand you want to take, or a particular feature of your topic = A Quality Thesis Statement Here is an Example:

A research paper about an important event in history.

The Kennedy Assassination

was perhaps the worst political disaster in American History because it robbed us of a truly great leader, stripped us of our innocence, and left us questioning the ideals and beliefs of our friends and neighbors.

The Kennedy Assassination was perhaps the worst political disaster in American History because it robbed us of a truly great leader, stripped us of our innocence, and left us questioning the ideals and beliefs of our friends and neighbors.

–

_____ Identify a limited and specific topic

_____ Focus on a particular feature or feeling about the topic

_____ Say everything in one to two clearly written sentences

_____ be easily divided into three clear topic sentences

_____ be successfully supported with convincing facts and details

_____ Meet the requirements of the assignment

Write an Impressive Beginning

The first paragraph in any piece of your writing should reach out and grab hold of your reader. It is for

this reason that we refer to them as Attention Grabbers. That first paragraph is critical to a successful piece of writing for many reasons- besides grabbing your reader and pulling them in, it also introduces your topic and is home to your thesis statement. There are many good ways to start a

piece of writing.

Here are a few to experiment with:

Begin by asking a question: Were you aware of the controversy surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy?

Begin with a statistic or Quote someone famous:

Most Americans over the age of sixty can tell you where they were when they heard the news that our president had been shot.

“The president is dead” tearfully exclaimed Walter Cronkike on the CBS evening news.

Begin by listing a fact or facts that your reader will find interesting:

John F. Kennedy was the first Irish Catholic man to be elected President of The United States.

Use this strategy to write a bare bones paragraph, and then add more details using the Multi – Sentence Paragraph Strategy.

In your Firstsentence you should grab your readers Attention. Follow this up with a Second and

Third sentence that provide background information on your topic. In your Fourth sentence introduce the topic of your essay, and finally for your fifth sentence write your thesis statement.

(Remember that your thesis statement can be more than one sentence long)

Here is an example paragraph:

On November 22, 1963 Americans everywhere mourned the assassination death of our 35th president John F. Kennedy. At the time, Kennedy was the youngest man ever elected to the presidency. He was also the first irish

catholic man to ever be considered for this high office. Americans everywhere can remember where they were when they heard the news that our president had been shot, there was panic in the streets that day. The Kennedy

Assassination was perhaps the worst political disaster in American History because it robbed us of a truly great leader, stripped us of our innocence, and left us questioning the ideals and beliefs of our friends and neighbors.

A Smooth Finish … How to End Well …

The closing paragraph of a paper should neatly conclude all of the thoughts you have presented

in your writing. It should summarize your thesis statement. Also, really well thought out conclusions

always leave the reader with something to “chew on” and think about.

When you come to the time to write your concluding paragraph in any piece of writing it is a good idea to incorporate some of the following ideas:

Make sure to review your main points

Bring out and emphasize one of your main points

Answer any questions that you think your reader may have

Draw a conclusion and then explain it to your reader from your own point of view

Supply a last meaningful idea or thought for the reader.

Follow the steps below for a smooth as glass finish to your piece:

Step 1: reflect on your topic - Write some thought you have on the information you have previously

presented in your writing.

Step 2: Add additional information – Include some final piece of information that will wow your

reader but that you haven’t mentioned before.

Step 3: Emphasize the most important points of your topic and piece.

Stress the importance of one or more key points that support your thesis statement.

Step 4: Wrap up your piece with a concise conclusion that ties everything up into a neat package

with a pretty bow. Restate your thesis statement and add your final thoughts about the topic.

Draw a strong conclusion and leave your reader thinking about what you have said and wishing

they could read more.

Here’s an example:

I believe that John F. Kennedy was an excellent president for a variety of reasons. There is no shortage of

reasons based on the good he did during his very short presidency. One of his greatest contributions to American society will forever be remembered. He helped us all become better people when he asked us

to consider what we could do for our country instead of always asking what the country would do for us. His death was so devastating because most Americans were not familiar with the shock and fear that

result when a president is taken from power. When we lost our president it was a monumental political tragedy because it took away an excellent leader, robbed us of our simplicity, and left us questioning the

standards and attitudes of everyone around us.

Writing in MLA Style

You should use the MLA style heading on both the title page and the first page of your essay.

Title

Your Name Mrs. Stone English 1

January 1, 2012

Your Name Mrs. Stone English 1 January 1, 2012

Title

Each additional page should have your name listed in the following style:

Stone –2

While I understand that it might not make much sense to have to do work in a specific style. This is the most

commonly used and recognized style of writing in colleges nationwide. Learning how to use this style correctly

now will save you many “headaches” in the future and will give your writing a polished look that will in turn

cause your grades to be higher. There are many online resources to help you format your paper correctly.

Some of them include Citation Machine and Bibliography.com

Use this to your advantage and earn the highest grade possible for your work!


MLA Style Documentation

Creating a MLA Style Works Cited Page You must always include a works-cited page at the end of a research paper so that your reader can easily locate

and review the sources you used while conducting your research. No, this is not just so your teacher can check

up on you. This can be very helpful to someone who thinks your thoughts are especially brilliant and wants to

discover more.

Books The following format is appropriate for documenting your use of a particular book during your research

Author or editor (if available, last name always comes first). Title (underlined). The city where the book was

published: The Publisher, the copyright date.

Example:

Sample, George P. The Best Book I Ever Wrote. Dalton, GA: Nelson, 1993

* remember if a book has two or three authors, they should be listed in the same order as they appear on the book cover or title page. Only the first author

is listed last name first. For a book with more than three authors, you would list only the first author, followed by “et all.”

A Single Work from an Anthology

An Anthology is a book the holds many essays, stories or articles. You use this one when your research has led

you to use just one of the essays, stories, or articles.

Author (if available, last name always comes first). Title of Anthology (in quotation marks). Title of the essay, story,

or article (underlined). Editor (first name, last name). The city where the book was published: The Publisher, the

copyright date.

Example:

Robins, Warren. “The Road Back Home”. Using your GPS System to Successful Navigate in Large Cities Ed.

Michael Matthews. New York: Tyndale 2007

A Reference Book

Reference books include dictionaries, encyclopedias, and atlases

Format: Author (if available). Article Title (in quotation marks). Title of the reference work (underlined). Edition (if

available). Date Published.

Example:

Nelson, Otto. “John Fitzgerald Kennedy”. Encyclopedia Brittanica. 1988

Citing the sources you find online

A Web Page

Format: Author (if available, last name first). Page title (if available, in quotation marks). Site title

(underlined). Date published (if available). Date you found it. The address for the website (in arrow

brackets).

Example:

Stone, Elizabeth A. “Assignment Calendar”. Stone Central Classroom . December 2011. January 2, 2012

http://stonecentral.weebly.com.

An Article in an Online Service

Many libraries, including ours, have subscriptions to online services where you log in and locate many

articles that will help you with your research.

Format: Author (if available, last name first). Title of the article (in quotation marks). Title of the

magazine, journal, or newspaper (underlined). Date published: Page #. Name of online service

(underlined) . Subscriber name (ex. Georgia High School Library). Date accessed. The Web Address for

the home page of the service (in arrow brackets). Keyword:

Example:

Danielson, Ryan “Why Buy Premium Gas.” Energy News November 2005: 37. CNN Server. Kansas City

Public Library. April 26, 2010 < http://search.cnnservernet.com>. Keyword: Gasoline.

Other Sources

Your Research may also include other sources that include Audio Files, Video, Television Programs, and

other non print sources.

The best ways to cite these sources is in the following format:

Episode title (in quotation marks). Title of Program (underlined). Type of resource (audio file, video,

dvd, etc.) distributor, date of release or broadcast.

Example:

More About MLA Documentation

“John Fitzgerald Kennedy Our Thirty-fifth President”. American Biography. Audio File. PBS, November 22,

2009

http://stonecentral.weebly.com/

http://search.cnnservernet.com/

Steps to Becoming a Better Speller

“There is very little point in learning to spell if you have little intention of writing.” – Frank Smith

1. Learn some basic spelling rules Locate a list of basic spelling rules (see me if you need help) and memorize them. Remember spell

check doesn’t catch everything!

2. Check the correct pronunciation of each word you are attempting to spell. When you know how to correctly say a word, you are more likely to remember how to spell it..

3. Practice Practice Practice … This doesn’t really need an explanation does it? Remember spelling lists in 3rd grade?

4. Make a list of words that you often misspell.

After you have a list, select 5-10 words at a time (you might try your current vocabulary) and

practice spelling them until you are able to do it from memory. Keep doing this until you have

mastered each word on your list.

5. Write Often Of course you will be given plenty of opportunity in English class, but it is also important to write for

other reasons … maybe you could blog, or keep a journal. Anything to get you writing often!!

6. Be Patient

Becoming a better speller takes time!

Making your Response to Literature Amazing!

1. Write a thesis statement that explains your interpretation of the theme

of the story. Then select specific details from the story to support

the statement.

2. Write clear beginning, middle and ending paragraphs. Use

transitions to effectively connect sentences and paragraphs.

3. Sound interested in and knowledgeable about, the story you are

analyzing. This makes your writing more interesting to read, and in turn

helps you retain more – creating high proficiency and better grades!

4. Quote words and phrases from the story that support the theme.

Use literary terms that demonstrate that you understand what

you have read.

5. Be careful to write sentences that read easily and flow smoothly.

6. Correct all punctuation, capitalization, spelling and grammar errors.


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