1. Smiley-Face Tricks

2. Writers engage readers by…
Specific Details for Effect
Sensory Images --details
Instead of general, vague descriptions, specific sensory details help the reader “see, hear, smell, taste, feel” the person, place, thing, or idea.
My boyfriend sits in the second row from the left, third seat, in front of Claudia and behind Mark.

3. Senses feel/touch, smell, sight, hear, taste
As I slide on the water, I feel the splashes of water hitting my knee. When I slow down, the fresh saltwater fumes up into my nose. As I continue to slide through the sand, I see the sand crabs frantically dodging my board and hear complaining kids saying to their moms, “I don’t want to put suntan lotion on…” I smile at my mom, who is happily enjoying her book. I yell, “Hey, Mom!” and forget that I’m on the board and wipe out!
(Alex, sixth grader – feel, smell, sight, hear)

4. Specific Details - Strong Words
Chameleons that were sunbathing under chairs scatter around my feet.

5. Writers engage readers by…
Figurative Language
Non-literal comparisons – such as similes, idioms, metaphors, and personification – adding “spice” to writing and helping paint a more vivid picture for the reader.
connect with the reader

6. Figurative Language
The old car coughed down the busy highway, leaving the driver in despair.
I could hear the metal edges of the snowboards and skis slice through the snow like a hot knife through butter.(Gregg, sixth grader)
Her smile was the sun, beaming down on me.
It was raining cats and dogs.
personification
simile
metaphor
idiom

7. Writers engage readers by…
Full Circle
Sometimes writers need a special ending, one that effectively “wraps up” the piece. One “trick” is to repeat a phrase from the beginning of the piece at the end.

8. Full Circle
Do I seem mad to you? I’m not mad! I’m furious! Blah, blah, blah, blah. But do I seem mad? I’m not mad! I’m furious!

9. Writers engage readers by…
Magic 3
Three examples in a series can create a poetic rhythm or at least add support for a point, especially when the three items have their own modifiers. (compound predicates)

10. Magic 3
Freddie wanted to make a wish too! After his owner threw in a penny, he let Freddie throw in one too. Freddie tightly closed his blue eyes, gently tossed in the shiny coin, and quietly made a wish for his freedom..

11. Writers engage readers by…
Hyphenated Adjective
Sometimes a new way of saying something can make all the difference; hyphenated adjectives often cause the reader to “sit- up-and-take-notice.” They are located immediately in front of the
noun.

12. Hyphenated Adjective
Mrs. Dursley pretended she didn’t have a sister because her sister and her good-for-nothing husband were as unDursleyish as it was possible to be (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, pg. 2)
Harry and Ron slouched into the Great Hall in states of deepest gloom, Hermione behind them, wearing a well-you-did-break-the-school-rules sort of expression (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, pg. 119)
More examples – I’m-better-than-you-and-I-know-it; not-so-good; Mr.-Know-It-All; all-that-and-more; yet-to-be-discovered
Can you think of any?

13. Writers engage readers by…
Expanding the Moment
Instead of “speeding” past the moment, writers often emphasize it by “expanding” the actions.
I sat down, crossed my legs, flipped my hair away from my face, and began to write.

14. Writers engage readers by…
Repetition
Writers often repeat specially chosen words or phrases to make a point, to stress certain ideas for the reader.

15. Repetition
The river’s edge is my only shelter away from the sister in bed asleep, away from the brother that plays in the tree house in the field, and away from my chores that await me!

16. Writers engage readers by…
Humor
Professional writers know the value of laughter; even subtle humor can help turn a “boring” paper into one that can raise someone’s spirits.

17. A story about Freddie, who wished to be an ant…
Humor
A story about Freddie, who wished to be an ant…
My time’s almost up, thought Freddie to himself. This isn’t fair. Cinderella got until midnight! (Brenna, sixth grader)
I heard thump, thump, thump. As I woke up in the middle of Christmas night,I crept down the stairs and saw…Santa Claus crouched down putting presents under the tree. Rip. Oh, no. His pants ripped, and I saw it all! (Chase, sixth grader)