Nancy Prizito

Writing Tools
presented
by
Steve Barrish
REMEMBER: 
• Writing is a two
step process!
– The hardest step
is to THINK of
what you want to
write (say).
– The EASIER step
is to figure out
HOW you want to
write (say) it!
Alliteration:
•Are near-by words
in a sentence using
the same beginning
sound.
•Remember, it is the
sound that rhymes
and not the letters.
Example:

• A winning wonderful
attraction would be
Water World.
• Abraham Lincoln was
tall, tough and talented.
Use Strong Verbs
• Replace
everyday,
common verbs
with creative,
ear-capturing,
action verbs.
Example:

• We went to Walt Disney

World.
• We visited Walt Disney
World.
• Michael walked with
Stephanie.
• Michael strolled with
Stephanie.
Use Captivating
Color Words
• Color words are
adjectives that
enlighten and enhance
the words they
describe.
• They cause the brain to
remember them better.
Example:
• We took the rough and
ready flume ride down
the mountain.
• His raincoat was
fluorescent yellow with
glowing green stripes.
Metaphor and
Simile
Through
the poet/writer
them... presents images,
or ideas, to help
the
reader/listener
see/hear as the
poet/writer does.
A Simile is a comparison
of two unlike
things.
The
words... “like” or “as”
are used to
make the
comparison
 l e
p
a m
E x
: The fire burned as
brightly as the sun.
 It the fire to
compares.. the sun by
. telling they
both burn
brightly.
A metaphor...

is a comparison that
does not use the
words “like” or “as”.
Onomatopoeia
-
are words that
sound like
natural sounds.
Example:
The firecracker
went pop.
 Clever
Creative
Character
Names • Creates
humor and
personality
in your
essay.
• Lex Luthor
• Wonder Woman
• Peter Parker
• Steve Barrish
• Cow’s Steakhouse
• Lady Gaga
Use
HYPERBOLE:
• HYPERBOLE
is the use of
over
exaggeration.
Examples:
• For the millionth time
I’m telling you to do it!
• I am so hungry I could
eat a horse!
• That building is as tall
as a mountain!
Use
SPECIFICITY:
• SPECIFICITY is
using exact
names of people,
places and
things.
Examples:
• Mr. Steve Barrish
• Southern Oaks Middle School
• Dell Computer
• McDonald’s
• Islands of Adventure
• Rave Motion Picture Theatre
Use
POWERFUL
VOCABULARY
• This is your
chance to
use great
and strong
words
Examples:
• Magnificent
• Incredulous
• Audacity
• Tenacious
• exasperating
Use
SPECIFIC
EMOTION
WORDS:
• These are exact
“feeling” words.
Examples:

• Nervous
• Calm
• Anxious
• Jittery
• tense
Use
SENSORY
• These are words that
words use the 5 senses.
– Touch
– See
– Hear
– Taste
– Smell
Examples:
• Rough
• Stench
• Yummy
• Loud
• beautiful
Nancy Prizito
Writing Techniques
continued…
Try to
TALK
• This method
TO
engages the
YOUR
reader.
READER
• It makes the
reader want to
read on.
Examples: (sentence starters)

• Let me tell you…

• Picture this…
• I know you won’t
believe this but,…
• Oh, I almost forgot…
• Did I mention…
Use
DEFINITIONS

• Give the meaning

of an unusual
word or phrase.
• Place it in
parenthesis after
the word.
Examples:

• Moola (money)
• The bomb (best)
• Mahi-mahi (dolphin fish)
Use
APPOSITIVES
• They rename or
further identify
the subject of the
sentence.
• Place the
appositive
between commas.
Examples:
• My teacher, Mr. Steve
Barrish, is a wonderful
man!
• Drew Brees, the
quarterback for the New
Orleans Saints, ran the
ball in himself.
Use DIALOGUE

• Use dialogue to
personalize an
experience (like
in DRAPES
method)
Examples:

• “Yum, yum”
• “Bummer!”
• “Hooray!”
• “I found it.”
Use
ELLIPSIS…

• Indicates a pause in
dialogue.
• Shows left out
words.
• Says that there is
more to follow
Examples:
• “That’s…fantastic, I
think,” uttered Jose
Jimenez.
• “Say the magic words…”
and the genie appeared.
• I will list the following…
Use
ANADIPLOSIS

• Used for emphasis / drama in

a sentence.
• It repeats a word or phrase
from one sentence into the
next sentence.
• The last word used in one
sentence is the first word
used in the next sentence.
Examples:

• They say hard work makes a

man. A hard-working man is a
success!
• He was caught, caught like a rat
in a trap.
• Everything burned in the fire.
Fire was the only reason he
lived because it was so cold.