When showing students a new literary tool, take them on a journey from ho-hum words to electrifying verbs. Don't let students settle for drab, dead words! While vague words are acceptable in speech such as "thing, doohickey, thingamabob, thingy", they don't offer much to a reader.
The first and most important rule in creative writing is to be specific. Instead of saying, "walk, run, sit," encourage students to use words with more sizzle (or clarity) to make their writing pop with visual appeal. Instead of "walk, run or sit", a person could "amble", "race", or "perch", among many other exciting, diverse choices.
Creative Writers
Encourage (often) using a thesaurus to spice up their writing. Explain that becoming a word collector is a vital step in being able to learn their own language, just as it is in learning a foreign language. Keeping a notebook of new words is a practical tool for word collectors.
Whether the notebook is used to collect a growing list of unknown words with meanings filled in weekly, or as a way to collect synonyms and antonyms, it should be used in conjunction with each novel that is being read. Unknown words should be recorded after each chapter in the notebook.
What is Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia is "the use of words whose sound imitates the sound of the thing being named" according to NTC's Dictionary of Literary Terms. Each word sounds exactly like its meaning, bringing weight to the words with pure sounds.
For example:
- pop
- zap
- crash
- boom
- zing
- clang
- hiss
- clickety clack
Does anyone remember the old Batman series on TV reruns? This TV show highlighted onomatopoeia. Words were spotlighted in every scene which helped express the intensity of every moment. These words simply sounded like their meaning...POW, KA-BLANG, CRASH, SSSST.
Encourage students to use a thesaurus while using the following creative writing prompt:
Creative Writing Prompt Using Onomatopoeia
Have you ever thought about the number of sounds a refrigerator makes? When it's new, it ____________.
When it gets a little older, it ________________. Whenever the freezer is opened or closed, it _____________, ______________or ______________. I've even heard a refrigerator __________________.
Chairs are also noisy. When a large person slumps into one, they go __________________. When a child jumps onto a chair, they go _____________________. Dogs love to hurtle onto soft, comfy chairs with a ___________________ or _________________, depending on their personality.
A rocking chair is a noisy chair. It ________________and _____________whenever _____________________________.
The noisiest object in my house is _____________________________ which__________________ and ____________________all the time.
Whenever I ___________________I hear_________________________. Sometimes I think I hear___________________________when I am in bed at night. Most of the noises I hear are___________________but some of them are_______________and I can't always explain why _________________________________. The world is a ________________place with lots of ____________________noises that I ___________________________.
Brain Buster
During the last five minutes of class, ask students to play this quick hot potato game. Take an eraser, a ball or an apple, and tell the class that when the "hot potato" is in their hands, they must immediately yell out the answer to a question.
Before throwing the "hot potato" to a student, tell the class what the starting word will be.
The question can be: What are three synonyms for the word, "good"? Continue playing the game asking for synonyms to any verb, noun, adverb, or adjective that the teacher chooses.
Having a playful attitude at the end of class is a good de-stressor for students. While "playing" a game, reinforce grammar rules and enjoy the moment!
If you liked this article, you may also enjoy reading how to Unleash Creativity in Your Child, Teaching Narrative Writing or a Mini Lesson on Metaphor and Simile.
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