Transcript Use strong verbs

Writing Tips
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Getting Started
Write what you know
Research
Work the details
Sensory details bring a scene clearly to
mind. Most of us rely on sight, so visual
details are most common in writing. But use
other senses, too. Psychologists tell us
the most evocative sense is smell.
Use specific names for things.
Give evidence for your point of view.
Anecdotes, quotes from reputable sources,
statistics – all add credibility.
Work the Details
Show, don’t tell
Telling: Small business is the
engine of economic growth.
Showing: Last year we served 100
businesses; they created 127
jobs.
Good Writing is Active
Use active voice
Active - The boy hit the ball.
Passive - The ball was hit by the
boy.
Avoid starting a sentence with
‘There’
There are five employees in this
business.
Good Writing is Active
Use strong verbs
Avoid the verb to be (am, is,
are, was, were)
Ex/ He was waiting waited for
four hours.
Use one verb:
I am helping to try to
set up a meeting.
I am setting up a
meeting.
Good Writing is Active
Use strong verbs (cont’d)
Avoid Lazy Verbs
Have – We have a contract for
three ovens.
Get – We get three ovens.
Make – They make pies
Good Writing is Active
Use descriptive nouns
Be wary of adverbs and
adjectives
The boy ran to the store.
The tall, tanned boy ran quickly
to the store.
The surfer raced to the store.
Lazy words: very and really
Grammar Tips
Use parallel structure
Keep reading,
accept these tips,
use them, and
become a stronger writer
Grammar Tips
Example
Micro-businesses are everywhere in
California - the organic tomato
farmer at the Saturday market, the
childcare center at work, the
technology service guy, your
favorite neighborhood restaurant,
or the new sophisticated ice cream
truck.
Cut, cut, cut
• Avoid ‘There’ construction
– There was a grant made to our
organization.
– A grant was made to our
organization. (passive)
– Our organization received a grant.
(active)
• Avoid to be and -ing
• Avoid just, only, ever
Always Proofread
Use correct spelling, punctuation, and
grammar
• Resources: google - "Strunk and White"
Print out a hard copy
Read your work aloud
• ‘Form’ vs ‘from’ mistake
• Awkward places or unclear references
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