1. Smiley Face Tricks Tricks of the writing trade to help you meet and exceed writing expectations.

2. Why use Smiley Face Tricks??? These writing techniques are common tools that ALL authors use. They are proven to add personality, voice, style, and reader interest.

3. #1 - Magic 3 #1 - Magic 3 A technique writers use to list items-the items must follow the same pattern. A technique writers use to list items-the items must follow the same pattern. Technically referred to as Parallel Structure. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." (Benjamin Franklin) "Government of the people, by the people, for the people." (Abraham Lincoln)

4. Magic 3--Example After school each day I typically drive home with my children, complete homework, and talk about the day.

5. #2 - Hyphenated Modifier #2 - Hyphenated Modifier A technique writers use to creatively describe or rename someone or something, rather than using plain, one-word adjectives. A boring, one-word adjective is replaced by a phrase or clause that might come to mind when the person is in that particular situation.

6. Hyphenated Modifier Example Some of her students sat in their why-do-I-have-to-be-here postures, while others showed eagerness.

7. #3 - Repetition for Effect #3 - Repetition for Effect While repetition without careful consideration can be redundant and ineffective, a carefully selected word or phrase repeated can add incredible emphasis! AVOID BEING REDUNDANT If we are going to see the movie on opening night, we will have to get there early. We have to get to the movie early, because it’s opening night. USE REPETITION The man heard the instructor yell, “JUMP!” and he let his feet slip off the platform. Before he knew it, he was falling, falling, falling, into the mist.

8. Repetition Example That week, the teachers attended three faculty meetings. They went to two department meetings. They sat in on one collaborative teaching meeting. They held training meetings. They were ready to go back to class, just to get away from all of the meetings.

9. #4 - Specific Details #4 - Specific Details Also known as imagery, this technique appeals to the senses and includes enough detail to allow the reader to identify with the description.

10. SD--Example Her car reeked of stale cigarette smoke. The back seat was speckled with charred black holes where the cigarette ashes had burned what used to be the pale gray plush fabric.

11. #5 - Humor #5 - Humor Writers use humor for many reasons... not only to create a connection with the reader and cause him/her to laugh, but also to lighten the mood in a tense or serious situation.

12. Humor Example A man walks into a bookstore. “Where’s the self-help section?” he asks the clerk. She shrugs and replies, “If I tell you, won’t that defeat the purpose?”

13. #6 - Figurative Language #6 - Figurative Language This technique finds new and creative ways to describe people, places, things, and ideas. This technique finds new and creative ways to describe people, places, things, and ideas. Similes—metaphors—hyperbole— personification Similes—metaphors—hyperbole— personification It incorporates fresh and creative similes and metaphors, not cliches. It incorporates fresh and creative similes and metaphors, not cliches.

14. Figurative Language Examples Hyperbole: My mom had a cow when she saw my test grade! Simile: She was as cool as a cucumber. Metaphor: She was a bird, soaring through the air, lunging towards the pool water. Personification: the chair swiftly danced across the room.

15. #7 - Expanded Moment #7 - Expanded Moment This technique involves the writer leaving the main story line to go into the character’s mind and explain a related experience or idea.

16. Expanding the Moment Example EXPANDED After the car accident, I cradled my father’s hands in mine. I talked to him and tried to keep him conscious for as long as possible. I reminded him of the time we went fishing, and as we tried to load the boat onto the trailer, he slipped and fell, scattering fish all in the mud on the edge of the lake. I stood by the truck and laughed as he struggled to stand up. Suddenly, I heard the police sirens, and I told my father as he struggled to keep his eyes open that help was almost here. He died before the police arrived. SIMPLE After the car accident, I held my father’s hands to comfort him, telling him stories. He laughed. Then there were sirens and my father passed away before the police arrived.

17. #8 - Full Circle Ending #8 - Full Circle Ending Writers will often begin a piece of writing with a key word or phrase, develop the piece, and will bring the reader back to the key word or phrase at the ending.

18. FCE--Example She was fat and happy. The day she gave birth to her first child was amazing. Everything was perfect. The child had a beautiful head of hair, all ten fingers and toes, and slept rather than cry like most babies do. Now, as an old woman sitting in her favorite chair visiting with three of her great grandchildren, again she was fat and happy.

19. Practice Makes Perfect!!! Complete the TRICKS writing assignment, making sure to use 5-7 tricks in your writing. Be sure to highlight the tricks and label them with a Complete the TRICKS writing assignment, making sure to use 5-7 tricks in your writing. Be sure to highlight the tricks and label them with a