Writing Tips

1. Writing Tips Verbals act as excellent transitions between sentences and paragraphs

2. For example: • An unnerving discovery is uncovered… [Unnerving is a participle describing discovery] • Going on vacation to paradise is supposed to be nice and relaxing. [Going on vacation is a gerund phrase; it acts as the subject of the sentence. Also, a terrific hook for this play review!]

3. And… • …until they are all accused of murdering someone by a mysterious voice. [of murdering someone is a gerund phrase because murdering is the object of the prepositional phrase of murdering. Nice phrasing!] • …and strange things started happening… [Started what? Started happening—direct object] • Try to add some verbals as you journal… • Now for your journal prompt…

4. What’s on your mind? • In your Writer’s Notebook… • Write about anything that is on your mind today. • That’s right, by popular request, you’re going to write about anything that’s on your mind. It can be one thing that you expand on; it can multiple issues; it can be a rant. • The only catch is that you will do a follow-up using one of the ideas that you generate. • Begin…

5. Now… • Choose one of your issues and write a letter seeking advice to Dr. Wisdom a local newspaper advice columnist. • Explain your issue • Discuss the involved people (I just used a past participle) • Ask for some sound advice • Add some detail so that Dr. Wisdom can help you