Writers choose verbs that allow readers to “see” what

they are trying to say.

Let’s practice adding vivid verbs to our writing.

 Let’s Review

Verbs are words that can express an action or link together

subjects and their descriptions

Action verbs: running, swimming, biking, hiking

Linking verbs: am, is, are, was, were

 Pause the video and replace the verbs with more vivid verbs.
Let’s Review This is an action
Press play when you’re done!
verb.
1
ran down the hallway This is an action
sprinted down the hallway
verb.

ate his food

This is a linking
devoured his food verb.
is delicious This is an action
verb.
tastes delicious
threw the football
launched the football
 Pause the video to read my draft. Press play when you’re done!
Core Lesson

I can feel the warmth of the bright sun on my shoulders. The

soft sand is under my feet as I walk up and down the familiar
shore. Sunbathers have put up their colorful umbrellas, and they
look like a rainbow across warm sand. In the distance, the beach
goes on for miles down the rocky coastline. Exotic fish are in the
pretty blue water, which shines in the sunshine. Small seagulls
fly in the fluffy white clouds that are in the sky.
 Press pause, and try revising these verbs on your own by
Core Lesson using more vivid verbs. Press play when you’re done.
Where can I replace weak 2
verbs with more vivid verbs
that capture my meaning
directly?
I can feel the warmth of the bright sun shining on
my shoulders. The soft sand is under my feet as I
walk up and down the familiar shore. Where can I replace
meaningless linking verbs
with verbs that hold
meaning?
I can feel the warmth of the bright sun touch my
shoulders. The soft sand tickles my feet as I stroll
up and down the familiar shore.
 Press pause, and try revising these verbs on your own by
Core Lesson Where
using more vivid verbs. Press play whencan I replace
you’re done.
3
meaningless linking verbs
with verbs that hold
Sunbathers have put up their colorful umbrellas,
meaning? and they
look
like a rainbow across the warm sand. In the distance, the beach
goes on for miles down the rocky coastline.

Where can I replace weak

verbs with more vivid verbs
Sunbathers have popped up their that captureumbrellas,
colorful my meaning
and they
directly?
create a rainbow across the warm sand. In the distance, the
beach stretches out along the rocky coastline.
 Pause the video and revise the sentence by replacing the
Your Turn! verbs with more vivid ones. Press play when you’re
done!
4

Exotic fish are in the pretty blue water, which shines in

the sunshine. Small seagulls fly in the fluffy white clouds
that are in the sky.

Exotic fish glide through the pretty blue water, which

glistens in the sunshine. Small seagulls soar in the fluffy
white clouds that float in the sky.
 Pause the video to read my revision. Press play when you’re done!
Your Turn!
My revision . . .
I can feel the warmth of the bright sun touch my shoulders. The soft
sand tickles my feet as I stroll up and down the familiar shore.
Sunbathers have popped up their colorful umbrella, and they create a
rainbow across the warm sand. In the distance, the beach stretches out
along the rocky coastline. Exotic fish glide through the pretty blue water,
which glistens in the sunshine. Small seagulls soar in the fluffy white
clouds that float in the sky.
 Pause the video and rewrite the sentences. Press play
Your Turn! when you’re done! 5

Re-write the following two sentences using vivid

verbs that capture your meaning directly.

1. On the outskirts of the beach, tall buildings are almost at the top of the bright
blue sky.

2. At the edge of the water, small children run back and forth, trying run ahead of
the waves over and over again.
 Your Turn! This will make my writing more
interesting by showing my
reader what I am trying to
Edit your writing: Find 2 sentences say!
from your own writing where you
could add vivid verbs.

Add vivid verbs to help your reader

“see” what you are trying to say.