All information compiled in this PowerPoint was created and developed by Mary Ledbetter.

1. All information compiled in this PowerPoint was created and developed by Mary Ledbetter.

2. Why? • These tricks help improve voice in your writing. • They make you sound intelligent. • Prevents you from overdoing it with simple sentences.

3. What Are They? • The 8 Smiley Face Tricks are… • Magic Three • Figurative Language • Specific Details for Effect • Repetition for Effect • Expanded Moment • Humor • Hyphenated Modifiers • Full-Circle Ending

4. 1. Magic Three • Three groups of words, usually separated by commas, that create a poetic rhythm or add support for a point, especially when the three word groups have their own modifiers.

5. Example Number One • The biggest tree in the world lives in my grandma’s backyard. Its tip reaches to the sky, its trunk sinks into the ground, and its huge leaves are larger than four hands. • Notice: The first sentence provides context for the magic three (I.E. it is your main idea).

6. Example Number Two • Let’s create one as a class.

7. First Assignment • This is timed, you have four minutes to do this. • Create two sentences, your topic sentence and one using the magic three. • Don’t have any ideas? Here are a few you can do; favorite class subject, best friend (describe), favorite book, best movie ever, fun hobby. EX: (do not use this) My favorite movie is The Avengers. Not only does it have a lot of action, it stars actors I enjoy, and it has witty humor.

8. 2. Figurative Language • Nonliteral comparisons – such as similes, metaphors, and personification – add “spice” to writing and can help paint a more vivid picture for the reader. • Great idea to express creativity in an otherwise rigid essay!

9. Types of Figurative Language • Simile – Comparison of two UNLIKE objects using ‘like’ or ‘as.’ • Metaphor – Comparison of two UNLIKE objects without using ‘like’ or ‘as.’ • Personification – Giving non-human objects human-like qualities.

10. Example Number One • Enchanting and mysterious are perfect words to describe my attic. Boxes, bags, old clothes, toys and pictures are all around me pleading, “Look in me and I’ll show you a piece of your past.” Like a big puzzle, all the pieces were there, and I was to remember where each one fit. • FIND THE TWO EXAMPLES OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE!

11. Example Number Two • Let’s create our own. Note; the easiest types of figurative language are simile and personification!

12. Second Assignment • Now it is time for you to create your own sentence using figurative language. Remember, the idea is to create a VIVID picture for the reader. Please note that you may have to explain the idea on an essay. • Use figurative language to compare writing to something else, then create sentences around it to explain the comparison. • This is TIMED. You have only four minutes to complete!

13. 3. Specific Details for Effect • The MOST IMPORTANT ONE for STAAR based essays. • Instead of general, vague descriptions, specific sensory details help the reader visualize the person, place, thing, or idea being described.

14. Example Number One • I had gone to the junk drawer in search of a fingernail file, but what I found was everything and anything else. On top of the heap was thread, some strands wound tightly on their original spools, other mischievously escaping, having wrapped themselves around whatever was at hand. • NOTICE THE EXPLICIT IMAGERY DETAILS!

15. Example Number Two • Let’s do one together. Remember, the idea is to be SPECIFIC.

16. Third Assignment

17. Review Time • Now that you have the first three down, it is time to review what we have seen. • 1 – Magic Three – remember, three groups of words that create poetic rhythm or add support for a point. • 2 – Figurative Language – Specifically simile, metaphor, and personification, add “spice” to writing and helps paint a vivid picture. • 3 – Specific Details for Effect – Create specific sensory details that help the reader visualize the person, place, thing, or idea being described.

18. First Major Assignment • You will be given a sample essay. • You are tasked with finding examples of the three smiley face tricks we have discussed in class. • Once you find them in the essay, please draw a smiley face next to the sentence. BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS IN CLASS.

19. 4. Repetition for Effect • Writers often repeat specially chosen words or phrases to make a point, or stress certain ideas for the readers. • Note: This is a tough one, and make sure you are using repetition to STRESS certain ideas, or to make a point. DO NOT REPEAT TO WASTE SPACE.

20. Bad Example • My dog is incredibly hyper. He jumps around. He likes to play with his toys all day. He only sleeps when I turn off all the lights. He has a tiny tail. All in all, my dog is incredibly hyper. • Why is this a bad example of repetition?

21. Good Example • I can feel it. I can feel the crisp, cool air flushing my cheeks and penetrating my ponderous, protective coat. I trudge through mushy snow as if my feet have built-in wings or as if my heavy shoes have supreme rocket power. It seems, though, that someone has put time itself in slow motion because I can feel everything. I lay in the silkiness and make snow angels while the icy cold seeps through my skin. I can feel it all.

22. Your Turn! • Did you spot the four points of repetition? Notice how it emphasizes the idea of FEELING? • Now it is time to create your own! You will need to create a full paragraph, and you may use other Smiley Face Tricks along with this one. • PROMPT: Write about a moment that was so enjoyable that you wished it would go on forever.

23. 5. Expanded Moment • Instead of “speeding” past a moment, writers often emphasize it by “expanding” the action. • A moment of time typically lasts 5-10 minutes, so keep that in mind. YOU ARE NOT TELLING A STORY, just a small snippet to emphasize your idea! • Expanded Moment and Specific Details for Effect are usually used together!

24. Example the First • As he sits in the dead of silence, all expression leaves his face. The clock inside his head is working full power, turning his cranky gears back in time. After the dark room takes control of his brain, he stares motionless into the emptiness as if he were in a coma. He remembers the joys of childhood. He remembers the days of playing with his friends down by the creek, where he pretended to be Tarzan swinging like a monkey across the lake on the frayed rope hanging from the old oak tree.

25. Notice that the author uses two specific expanded moments, describing his current setting and then describing memories. They weren’t long, only a sentence or two each! The rest of the information in that phrase was built on the idea of specific details for effect! • You are specifically describing an ACTION!

26. Let’s Create One Together • Altogether now, we are writing an essay over our High School football team. We have been explaining their historic rise this year, and want to create two expanded moment examples. The first one we will do together.

27. Your Turn • You know the drill! Time to create one on your own. Remember, our essay is about our football team and we need an expanded moment to emphasize an action our players did this year!

28. 6. Humor • Professional writers know the value of laughter; even subtle humor can help turn a “boring” paper into one that can raise someone’s spirits! • Humor is a tough one, and must be used effectively. Make sure it keeps with your idea for your writing!

29. Example (Poem) • When you sit down at the dinner tableHungry as a hogBe sure to slurp all your soupNo spindly spoon allowedWhen the meat comes use your fingersInstead of knives and forksGreatness lies in being differentLeave your elbows on the tableChew with your mouth wide openAnd talk at the same timeDinner conversation is expectedDon’t use napkinsThat’s why you have sleeves

30. Continued • Don’t forget to belch halfway through the mealTo show how satisfied you areWhen the food is only a memoryReach for that piece of gum you stuckUnder your chair or behind your earOr in that warm crook of your elbowOffer it around to show your mannersAnd finally plop into your mouthPlace your hands behind your headLike when you’re on your hammockStretch your legs out till you’re almost lying downLoosen your belt a notch or twoAnd as what’s for dessert.

31. You know the drill! • Let’s pretend we have been writing a killer essay on why writing is important. You’ve noticed that while you are using the smiley face tricks, it seems kind of boring. You also catch on that you can easily use figurative language and humor at the same time, and have decided to mix in a little humor into the following paragraph phrase. • “Writing effectively also prepares you for the business world. Businesses are like schools, where they grade you constantly on your effectiveness. Instead of a report card, you receive a paycheck. By proving your writing prowess, you help your chances of being promoted and getting a better job.” • Find the figurative language, and the sentence afterwards, and make it more humorous, so that your readers won’t be bored!

32. 7. Hyphenated Modifiers • Sometimes a new way of saying something can make all the difference; hyphenated adjectives often cause the reader to “sit up and take notice.” • You use this to strongly emphasize a point in your essay!

33. Para Ejemplo • She looked at me with a fake pout pasted across her face and whined in her you-are-so-mean-you-are-making-me-cry voice, “But Tony, you never walk me to class anymore. What happened?”

34. Juntos • Let’s create one together. We are wanting to emphasize the fact that Yael has just done an amazing, rare, shot in the game Call of Duty: Ghosts. It is so cool we want to make sure everyone knows it was awesome.

35. Y Tu • Now it is your turn to create three sentences using hyphenated modifiers to draw emphasis to the following; • Your friend’s attitude when they are annoyed. • The cafeteria food (and how good or bad it is). • This current class. • You have less than 5 minutes to complete this! So go fast!

36. 8. Full-Circle Ending • Sometimes students need a special ending, on that effectively “wraps up” the piece. One “trick” is to repeat a phrase from the beginning of the piece. • Do NOT repeat your thesis statement, repeat a SHORT point to re-emphasize your ideas!

37. 例如 • I stretch out my legs, feeling the coolness of material slide over them. As always, I’m amazed that this one place can hold so much joy for me. It was here I shared my first secrets. It was here I closed my eyes each night and thought of sugarplum fairies and all things sweet and wonderful. So I stretch out my legs, turn on my night light, and snuggle deeper, deeper still in my favorite place.

38. 今、すべて一緒に忘れてはいけない • Keep in mind; this is not a repeat of the thesis (although you do restate it in the conclusion). Also, it might be best if you repeat a phrase from your hook, to re-emphasize your opening statements. Now, let’s try one together! • Going to start with the sentence. “I gaze upon the classroom, and notice all of the blank stares from the other students.”

39. Ваша очередь! • Now it is time for you to create one yourself. • You must create one paragraph, describe what you feel when coming into THIS classroom (yes, be truthful but BE SCHOOL APPROPRIATE!). • You must use at least TWO other smiley-face tricks in this paragraph to get full credit. • You have eleven minutes to complete this, so be fast!

40. The End • Woohoo! We made it to the end. Now, it is time to once again look over another essay example, and spot as many of the smiley-face tricks that we can. • Also, from now on, you will be GRADED on the smiley face tricks you use in your writing. So utilize them! DO NOT LOSE YOUR NOTES OVER THIS!