1. Lesson 7 Effective Details
Activity 7.1 Vivid, Specific Words (p. 87)
Directions: Rewrite the following details, using the method indicated in parentheses.
1. Nelson walked out the door, obviously pleased with himself. (Use vivid words.)
2. Rip is an old dog. (Show, don’t tell.)

2. Lesson 7 Effective Details
Activity 7.1 Vivid, Specific Words (p. 87)
Directions: Rewrite the following details, using the method indicated in parentheses.
Sample Answers:
1. Nelson walked out the door, obviously pleased with himself. (Use vivid words.)
Nelson sauntered out the door, a smug smile on his face.
2. Rip is an old dog. (Show, don’t tell.)

3. Lesson 7 Effective Details
Activity 7.1 Vivid, Specific Words (p. 87)
Directions: Rewrite the following details, using the method indicated in parentheses.
1. Nelson walked out the door, obviously pleased with himself. (Use vivid words.)
Nelson sauntered out the door, a smug smile on his face.
2. Rip is an old dog. (Show, don’t tell.)
Rip dropped to my feet; his tired old eyes spoke of years of chasing rabbits in the meadow.

4. Lesson 7 Effective Details
Activity 7.1 Vivid, Specific Words (p. 87)
3. The scream from the attic scared me to death. (Avoid clichés.)
4. My cousin is such a brat. (Provide specific examples.)

5. Lesson 7 Effective Details
Activity 7.1 Vivid, Specific Words (p. 87)
3. The scream from the attic scared me to death. (Avoid clichés.)
The scream from the attic pierced my heart and reduced me to a shivering little boy.
4. My cousin is such a brat. (Provide specific examples.)

6. Lesson 7 Effective Details
Activity 7.1 Vivid, Specific Words (p. 87)
3. The scream from the attic scared me to death. (Avoid clichés.)
The scream from the attic pierced my heart and reduced me to a shivering little boy.
4. My cousin is such a brat. (Provide specific examples.)
My cousin is our family’s practical jokester. Once he “accidently” dialed so that our Thanksgiving dinner was interrupted by a visit from the police.

7. Lesson 7 Effective Details
Activity 7.1 Vivid, Specific Words (p. 87)
5. Alan read the book quickly while eating breakfast. (Use vivid words.)

8. Lesson 7 Effective Details
Activity 7.1 Vivid, Specific Words (p. 87)
5. Alan read the book quickly while eating breakfast. (Use vivid words.)
Alan ate with the book propped up against his cereal box. Every few seconds, he turned a page, oblivious of the drops of milk that
escaped his mouth and ran down his chin.

9. Strategy: An Observation Chart
Sight
Sound
Smell
Taste
Touch

10. Example: A Day at the Beach
Sight
golden sand
turquoise waves
lifeguards with whistles
seashells
father and son building sand castle
Sound
roar of the ocean
ice cream truck bells
children laughing
shrill of lifeguard whistle
cry of seagull
Smell
sunscreen
salty air
seaweed
Taste
salty ocean water
chocolaty fudge pop
Touch
grainy sand beneath my feet
ice cold water
sun on my back
wind in my hair
greasy sunscreen