FIRST

1. FIRST • Figurative language • Interesting choice words • Real life connections • Sensory details • Tie it all together

2. Figurative Language • Includes "showing, not telling" AND using similes, metaphors, hyperbole, & personification in your writing. • DO NOW: Take a look at the sentences on "Do It!" Revamp them by using sensory details and/or figurative language! When you finish: read "In Depth" on the next page, underlining or highlighting important details.

3. Interesting Choice Words • Instead of using simple, boring elementary, words, try to spice up your writing by incorporating more descriptive, advanced, and sophisticated words! • For example: instead of "cool", use: • Instead of "nice": _____________________ • Instead of "The pizza was hot and tasty, say: ______________________________ • "I'm so excited", say: ___________________

4. Interesting Choice Words • A good strategy for incorporating more interesting words: • Replace boring words with more interesting ones during REVISION! • As you read your composition, circle commonly used or basic words, and try to think of better ones/ synonyms to replace them. (Do this for fig. lang. as well!) • Practice: Make this simple paragraph better with interesting words and description! • It was a hot day. The sun was shining, so I put my sunglasses on. As we got out of the car, I felt the heat on my face. I could hear the waves as I ran to put my towel down on the sand. I put some sunscreen on to protect myself. I love the beach!

5. Real-life Connections • The best writers out there write about what they KNOW: using real life experience to illustrate or elaborate a point. • You can do this directly: "Unlike sports, a dance team does not have any winners or losers. I remember: it was my championship soccer game and I was in goal. I let in the winning goal; I felt terrible for the rest of the day…" • Or indirectly: "A lot of times, especially in middle school, groups of friends are always finding it difficult to come up with ideas of places to go and things to do after a long day at school…"

6. Sensory Details • What does it SMELL/SOUND/LOOK/FEEL/TASTE like? • (Think of the BrainPop! video we just watched!) * What does "awesome" look/sound/taste/feel/smell like? * What does "boring" look/sound/taste/feel/smell like? * What does "excited" look/sound/taste/feel/smell like? * What does "fun" look/sound/taste/feel/smell like? These words are NOT descriptive, because MY opinion of awesome/boring/exciting/fun is different than YOUR opinion---so SHOW me/the reader, what you mean!

7. Finally….Tie it all together! • "These are the reasons why" "As you can see" "Now you know" are UNACCEPTABLE phrases in your conclusion statement/paragraph. • "But what do I say, Ms. Wheeler?" -Your conclusion is meant to wrap up your major idea and provide closure for your reader. Think about closing the discussion of your topic (reflecting on bigger ideas, about what's important in your opinion).

8. Finally….Tie it all together! Example: "One of the major goals in a school is to get everyone together and create a safe and pleasing environment. Being in a club makes a lot of people feel better about themselves. TO be a part of something, and to feel needed will do nothing but brings smiles to everyone's faces. A Glee Club could help to do just that." Based on this conclusion paragraph, what do you think this student's essay was about?

9. Finally, remember… • This is meant to be a revision checklist: a way for you to go through your draft and improve it. • You should not try to tackle every element at once: go through, read your composition and determine what element (s) need the most improvement. Focus on those first, (get it?), and make the changes that will have the most impact! • Remember: your writing is a reflection of you: take pride in it, knowing that when someone reads it, they are getting a glimpse into who you are and what you are about!