Ditch the adjective
A guided resource to help students to understand how to use carefully selected verbs and nouns, rather than adjectives and adverbs, to make their writing more effective.
Students are given a number of example sentences and short passages and are asked to replace adjectives and adverbs with more engaging verbs (or nouns). The resource includes model sentences and suggested answers to build students' confidence.
Here's an extract from the resource:
- Some adjectives and adverbs are good in creative and descriptive writing but too many can spoil it, like eating too many sweets – you can have too much of a good thing! Try to limit the adverbs and adjectives you use, and instead choose nouns and verbs which paint a picture instead.
- Make every word count. One well-chosen word is worth more than a string of poorly chosen and even contradictory adjectives or adverbs.
- Sentence length also matters. Vary the length of your sentences for effect.
Here is a longer passage for you to try.
- The adjectives are in italics and the adverbs are in bold. Try rewriting the passage, replacing some of the adjectives and adverbs with well-chosen nouns or verbs instead. Decide which adjectives and adverbs are really worth keeping. In some cases, you might be able to find a better adjective or adverb to use.
- Some verbs are underlined. Try to replace them with more effective or powerful verbs which add to the overall picture being described.
When you have finished, compare your answer with a partner and discuss your ideas.
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Review this resourceExcellent resource. All descriptive/creative writing tasks that I've come across focus on adjectives and adverbs. This was a new twist on descriptive writing. Thank you!
24/02/2022
