Verbs and adjectives: Keep exploring

To over-write.

To under-write.

To get it just about write right!

Writing and the teaching of writing isn’t easy. Indeed, for many students and educators it is one of the most difficult parts of formal learning. As we stress at Crack-A-Story, the importance of exploring and experimenting is immeasurable. In the same way we see young people on sports fields experimenting with the ways they can hit, kick, and catch balls, we must encourage our writers (of all ages) to play with words and sentences.

As we know, two basic elements of writing are verbs and adjectives. Wow! They can be so powerful. Is it over-writing to say irresistibly powerful? The impact of any writing can be lifted or lessened by verbs and adjectives. There are no set rules about how we use them, but here’s a little piece of advice that a very experienced and respected journalist gave me when I was a novice who knew next to nothing about the importance (and joy!) of choosing words carefully: ‘A strong verb is much more powerful than a thousand weak adjectives.’ After many years of trial and error—and hopefully there will be many years to come—I agree with that advice. Of course, different types of writing, the contexts of subject matter, and the intentions of the writer all affect how words can be used, but this verb/adjective advice is one to keep in mind.

There are some exercises on this site that allow our young people to explore how they use verbs and adjectives. In addition to those (and there will be more to come), here’s an exercise for anyone from upper primary to well beyond the classroom. Set a task in which your students describe the same scene three ways:

• With minimal adjectives and verbs.
• With an abundance of adjectives and verbs.
• Stripping the writing back and finding a balance between adjectives and verbs.

For example:

1. The three men walked along the road, carrying bags across each shoulder. The sun shone directly above them. Each step was their enemy because of the pain they felt, yet each step was also their ally because it took them closer to their home. A bird flew past and landed in a tree at the side of the road. The men did not take any notice of it until they heard its voice. Within seconds the sky was filled with wings.
2. The three bedraggled men struggled along the road, lugging bulging, splitting bags across each shaking shoulder. The harsh, vindictive sun shone directly above them. Each step was their worst enemy because of the relentless pain they felt, yet each step was their most powerful ally because it took them closer to their safe and secure home. A mighty black-and-white eagle flew past and landed in a wilting tree at the side of the dusty, barren road. The exhausted men did not take any notice of it until they heard its voice. Within a few tiny seconds the bright blue sky was crowded with frenetic wings.
3. The three men struggled along the road, lugging the splitting bags across each shoulder. The vindictive sun shone directly above them. Each step was their enemy because of the relentless pain they felt, yet each step was their ally because it took them closer to their safe and secure home. A black-and-white eagle flew past and landed in a wilting tree at the side of the barren road. The men did not take any notice of it until they heard its voice. Within seconds the sky was crowded with frenetic wings.

After the exercise, it’s important to discuss with your students, the differences between their writings, and importantly, how they feel about what they wrote.

When doing this exercise, it may help to provide a visual or audio stimulus. Alternately, allow your students to dig deep into their imaginations and start with blank canvases.

Remember, EXPERIMENT.