WOW Words

Young writers tend to find comfort in writing the way they speak day to day. It is a difficult process for writers to step outside themselves and change their tone. In an effort to overcome this task students are asked to incorporate WOW words. These are words they don't use in everyday conversation and that will help spice up their writings. I often ask students to think of synonyms to replace everyday ordinary words. A great tool for students to have access to which allows them ease with this process is a thesaurus.

Transitioning in Writing

When writing every detail cannot be accounted for. When a writer is telling a story time is of the essence. Therefore there has to be a way to quickly transition. Transition words such as first, next, then, and last show sequences of order. Moving from one period of time to another can be prompted by using words that tell the time of day, such as morning, afternoon, night, and the next day. Writers may also use seasons to show longer periods of time passing. It's all up to the writer and the period of time passing from one event to another.

Summer Journal

The end of summer is quickly approaching. I encouraged my son to begin a journal to record his summer and at this point it has been filled with some wonderful writing. As I blogged this semester I think he was reminded to input a journal entry. He made me promise not to read until he is finished so I am getting more and more curious. I don't have much longer and I am so excited!

Live Chat

Just finished our live discussion for class and it was an awesome experience. Our group members did an excellent job collaboratively. I must admit I was a little nervous at first but everything turned out fine. The ability to meet and discuss from our own personal locations gave each of us the opportunity to come together and accomplish the requirement of our course. Great job ladies!

Picture This

Writing is meant to paint a vivid picture in the head of the reader. When writing in order to do so I suggest making sure every noun has an adjective friend. We know adjectives describe nouns and this strategy helps to eliminate any uncertainty the reader may have regarding a physical description of what is being mentioned. When my students write they know I am looking specifically for adjectives.

The cat ran into the house.
The frightened brown cat ran into the spooky house.

The car caught had flames coming from it.
The convertible Corvette had enormous orange flames coming from it.

My sister is a cheerleader.
My talented sister is an enthusiastic cheerleader.

Figurative Language: Idioms

The last type of figurative language are idioms. Idioms are expressions having a meaning that cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its components words. When I am trying to get students to understand the use of idioms I often ask them to reflect on the expressions of their grandmother or grandfather. Most often students can recall the phrases they hear when they are being taught a life lesson. Most of the time students can relate to this lessons when I present them with examples.

example:
never judge a book by its cover
it's as plain as day
when it hit the fan
in full swing
the early bird catches the worm
better safe then sorry

Figurative Language: Hyperbole

Hyperbole is another type of figurative language students love to use. It is often used in tall tales to give it a unique story line. Students enjoy reading literature with this type of figurative language because it adds humor to the story. A hyperbole is an exaggeration used as a figure of speech. I often use the story of Paul Bunyan to demonstrate the use of hyperbole for my students and we create our own short stories using hyperbole.

examples:
Tim was taller than an oak tree.
The candy was so sour it made me head cheeks explode.
During the storm the ocean's waves tickled the moon.
He had the strength of ten bulls.

Figurative Language: Personification

Another type of figurative language students enjoy working with is personification. Personification is when human-like qualities are given to non-living things. It is a great way for students to describe what they are saying in their writings. They become so creative when demonstrating the use of personifications. It really paints a vivid picture in readers minds. We have writing folders that the students use which are compiled with various tools to help students when writing, called Writing Tool Kits. Often I come across figurative language so unique I have the students record them in their tool kits for future use.

examples
The tree's limb seemed to wave goodbye as we evacuated our home during the storm.
I was so tired I could hear my bed calling my name.
My stomach was telling me it was time for a snack.
The time ran quickly as I tried to finish my exam.

Figurative Language

Another type of figurative language is onomatopoeia. It's the use or formation of words, as hiss or cuckoo, that have a sound imitating that they denote. Students have no problem incorporating them into their writings. They are simply sound words. At times students seem to go crazy and they include too many onomatopoeia they take away from the what students are trying to say. Normally I limit figurative language to one different type per paragraph.

examples
boom
oink, oink
ding dong
tick tock
squeak squeak

Metaphors and Similes

Metaphors and similes are two similar types of figurative language. Many students get the two mixed up when identifying their examples. Metaphors are a figure of speech in which a term is transferred from the object it ordinarily designates to an object it may designate by implicit comparison. Similes are a figure of speech in which 2 things are compared using like or as.

examples of similes: examples of metaphor:
as fat as a pig She's a walking encyclopedia.
as big as a house That car is a lemon.
as fast as lightning It's raining cats and dogs.
as blind as a bat His stomach is a bottomless pit.
spotted like a cheetah Pam is a stubborn mule.
hops like a bunny

Figurative Language

There are creative ways in which writers keep readers eyes glued to the pages. Have you ever started reading and there wasn't any interesting content? Surely we have all had this experience. One strategy writers use is incorporating figurative language. There are different types: onomatopoeia, metaphor, simile, personification, idiom, and hyperbole. Many teachers use the acronym MOPSI or HISMOP to represent figurative language. Each add exaggeration, symbolism, and character to writing. Students get really creative when they incorporate figurative language when they are writing. It is important to model the use of this creative writing strategy.