1. How to choose verbs in descriptive writing
Read to write
How to choose verbs in descriptive writing
Wenzhou No.22 Middle School
Jin Ye

2. Our Problem: Frequently repeated common verbs
Q1: Could you replace these verbs with other expressions?
Some examples from our work:
Student A:
Mac ran as quickly as he could. When he ran, the wolf also ran.
Student B/C/D…:
Mac’s heart jumped./Mac jumped off his bike. /Mac jumped into the car./The wolf jumped at Mac…
Replacement:
Run: __________________________________________
Jump: _________________________________________
Shout : _________________________________________
rush /dash/ chase / follow him closely…
(heart) beat/ pump
skip / leap…
yell / cry/ scream
(wolf) growl / howl…

3. Discovery 1: Expressions different from common ones make a good descriptive writing.
Some examples from our classmates:
Paul speeded the car to shove(推，撞) the wolf. ——From 安琪
The wolf howled in agony(痛苦). ——From 戴言
But the wolf still circled around the car, glaring at the window. ——From 翔竣
If sentences go like this:
1. Paul drove the car to push the wolf.
2. The wolf cried in agony.
3. But the wolf still walked around the car, looking at the window.

4. Q 2: Could you replace the word leap with skip in this situation according to the given explanations?
Discovery 2: Accurate verbs make a good descriptive writing.
One more example:
The lunch bag flew across the air and the wolf leapt up to catch it, tearing the bag crazily into pieces.
——From 叶从
jumped?
skipped?

5. Q3:Could you replace the underlined verbs with the given ones according to their explanations?
Other Examples from our work:
“Hurry, Paul.” Beaky beat the seat and shouted in a great hurry.
2. Mac rushed into the back of the car like a hurricane, seeing that the wolf was hit by the bike.
glancing
clapped
+at/ over/around/through…

6. Let’s learn to revise verbs in our writing:
Q4: Could you offer any reason why the word slam here is better according to the given explanation?
Let’s learn to revise verbs in our writing:
Before: The wolf was about to catch up with Mac when he closed the door in time.
After: The wolf was about to catch up with Mac when he slammed the door in time.
slam verb

7. Discovery 3: Verbs which create a mood or mental images(图像，画面) in a particular situation make a good descriptive writing.
Q5. Which of the following sentences do you like? Try to give your reasons.
Good examples from our classmates:
Mac moved carefully when the wolf stared at him with a little green spark(火花) of danger shinning in its eyes. ——From 思言
The smell of blood spread through the air and brightened the wolf’s eyes. ——From 李润
…sweat pouring off Mac, he bent down and got ready for taking a tough fight. ——From 戴言
…which made wolf tremble(颤抖) with pure fear when it saw the blinding light. ——From雅莉
...

8. Activity :
Rewrite your own passage and try to replace some common or misused verbs with other accurate or vivid ones. You can add more details with imagination if possible.

9. Better later than never.
How to choose verbs in descriptive writing
Home work:
1. Exchange your writings and pick out accurate and vivid verbs others have used.
2. Try to include these verbs in your word bank.
If you don’t own one, it is time for a start.
Better later than never.