# data[].attributes.body
https://www.thewritingrevolution.org/book-resources/

# data[].attributes.body
There are five research-based stages of spelling.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Developmental Spelling Stages

Words Their Way: Word Study in Action Developmental Model aligns students' spelling development into the following five research-based stages. This developmental model recognizes the synchronous nature of reading, writing, and spelling, and has identified common characteristics of readers, writers, and spellers along the literacy continuum.

View the examples below to see the five stages and gain a sense of what stage your students will be placed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
words their way: word study in action developmental model

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
words their way: word study in action developmental model

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Words Their Way Literacy Program - Savvas Learning Company

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Words Their Way: Word Study in Action Developmental Model aligns students' spelling development into the following five research-based stages. This developmental model recognizes the synchronous nature of reading, writing, and spelling, and has identified common characteristics of readers, writers, and spellers along the literacy continuum.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Castle on the Hill

Writing Prompts Ideas

A long time ago, a Queen ruled over the lands from her wintery castle...

Five Ws and One H

Who is the character?

Where is the character?

When did the event take place?

Why...

Why is the character there?

Why did this happen?

Did something cause this to happen?

What...

What is happening?

Can you provide more detailed information?

How...

How did the character get there?

How did the character get out of their situation?

How did this happen?

Can you provide more information to prove this?

Suggested Activities

Use the illustration as stimulus for a narrative

Describe what you see

Complete a story board template

All Visual Writing Prompt images are licenced under Creative Commons Zero which means you can copy, modify, distribute and use the photos for free, including commercial purposes, without asking permission from or providing attribution to the photographer.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A long time ago, a Queen ruled over the lands from her wintery castle... Who is the character? Where is the character? When did the event take place? Why... Why is the character there? Why did this happen? Did something cause this to happen? What... What is happening?

# data[].attributes.body
Useful for having rubrics to grade a student's writing.

# data[].attributes.body
This video shows how one teacher uses this curriculum with a student. Skip to the 5 min mark.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

# data[].attributes.body
Ideas for how to incorporate the program a little each day.

# data[].attributes.body
Free resources and help from This Reading Mama

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you need a little help for teaching kids spelling, you're in the right place!

*This article contains affiliate links.

Do kids really need to learn how to spell, even in the stage of spell check? This is a question I am asked often. My answer is a resounding YES!

Teaching Kids Spelling

Not only is spell check limited, teaching kids spelling actually helps solidify some of those phonics rules and patterns they need for reading.

You can read more about why teaching spelling is so vital in my two articles: Why Teaching Reading Is NOT Enough and 5 Ways Teaching Spelling Helps Readers.

When it comes to teaching spelling, I highly recommend the word study approach, where learners focus more on patterns that words share {because English IS more predictable than you'd think} rather than all the exceptions.

Spelling is developmental. That means if you look at the natural spellings of an early Kindergartner, it's going to look very different from the spellings of a fifth grader. My ebook, Teaching Kids to Spell, talks about these stages of development in-depth.

And all the discussions about spelling you might hear about Invented Spelling? Check out why I think it can be good, bad, AND ugly!

One VERY popular post over the years gives plenty of help for teaching kids spelling in hands-on and fun ways!

My Printable Spelling Games and Activities Pack has also been a favorite of readers.

If you're looking for all my spelling freebies, you'll find everything I have on our Spelling and Word Study Printables Page.

Help for Teaching Struggling Spellers

Spelling is actually harder than reading because we have to remember the exact letters AND order for spelling. And spelling doesn't come easily for all our learners.

Some learners struggle greatly with spelling. And for those of us who are naturally good at it, it can be difficult to figure out where to begin teaching it.

That's one of the reasons I love All About Spelling for struggling spellers. It teaches spelling down to the letter level and takes all the guessing out of spelling. I've seen it used in the classroom I've used it at home, too.

You might also enjoy these articles and helpful printables for teaching struggling spellers:

Enjoy teaching!
~Becky

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Help for Teaching Kids Spelling - This Reading Mama

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you need a little help for teaching kids spelling, you're in the right place! *This article contains affiliate links. Do kids really need to learn how to spell, even in the stage of spell check? This is a question I am asked often. My answer is a resounding YES!

# data[].attributes.body
Handwriting practice sheets including cursive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Even in this modern digital age, the art of good, legible handwriting has not lost its importance in education. The manual dexterity taught when one writes is useful throughout life. And of course, the physical task of putting pen or pencil to paper, is shown to instill good spelling much more so than mere typing.

Many schools now require that young students entering kindergarten be able to write the print manuscript alphabet, as well as their own names. This calls for free handwriting worksheets for parents and kids!

While cursive script writing (sometimes called running writing) took a backseat for several years, its usefulness has been rediscovered, and students in the upper elementary grades are again learning how to write in cursive. We offer numerous free printable handwriting worksheets for teaching your child or student this almost forgotten form of penmanship!

Below, you will find a large assortment of various free handwriting practice sheets which are all free to print. Some of the icons link to new pages of worksheets, such as the famous quotes. Others are basic alphabet tracing. Whether you are a classroom teacher or a parent teaching kids to write at home, you'll find plenty of great free handwriting printables here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Handwriting Practice Worksheets - Free Printables in Print and Cursive | Student Handouts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Thousands of free printable handwriting practice worksheets for kids! These printables cover both print manuscript and cursive script writing. Just click on the PDF to print.

# data[].attributes.body
Demonstration of some pencil holding techniques

# data[].attributes.body
A variety of graphic organizers to help students build paragraphs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How to write a paragraph. Paragraph writing worksheets, paragraph graphic organizers. Learning to write effective paragraphs requires direct teaching of the concept. These paragraph writing worksheets help with this important element of literacy. See more paragraph worksheets and printables at how to write good paragraphs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
worksheets for teachers and worksheets for homeschoolers        how to write a paragraph

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How to write a paragraph. Paragraph writing worksheets, paragraph graphic organizers. Learning to write effective paragraphs requires direct teaching of the concept. These paragraph writing worksheets help with this important element of literacy. See more paragraph worksheets and printables at how to write good paragraphs.

# data[].attributes.body
Recognizing and writing topic sentences for paragraphs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The topic sentence in a paragraph states the main idea of the paragraph. While it is
usually at the beginning of the paragraph, it also can be in the middle or end of it. Students underline the topic sentence in each activity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Topic Sentences Worksheets | Writing Skills

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The topic sentence in a paragraph states the main idea of the paragraph. While it is usually at the beginning of the paragraph, it also can be in the middle or end of it. Students underline the topic sentence in each activity.

# data[].attributes.body
Examples of the four main types of writing and how that can be used.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
One of the things that can help you grow as a writer is to learn the 4 main types of writing styles and use the characteristics of each to further develop your own personal voice as a writer.

By learning how to use the different writing styles in your work, you will not only improve your skills as writer, but also learn ways to better connect with your audience of readers.

In this post we'll cover the 4 main types of writing styles and how to use them as a writer to create compelling books, stories, essays, poetry, articles and more.

What are Writing Styles?

Writing styles are basically another way of saying the form or type of written work you are creating. Think of it as a classification for being able to identify what kind of writing you are creating.

For example, if you are writing a cookbook, that is a completely different style of writing than if you were writing a steamy romance novel!

Each writing style has a different purpose - and therefore, different characteristics are present when you are writing each type of different work.

Now that we understand what a writing style is - let's talk about the 4 main writing styles which are commonly talked about amongst writers and literary educators.

The 4 Main Writing Styles & What They Mean

The four main writing styles which are commonly recognized are expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive.

Style #1: Expository

The definition of expository is this: "intended to explain or describe something."

Most types of written work that fall into this category explain something in more detail, or provide insight and instruction in regards to a particular topic.
What types of writing fall into this category of expository writing style?
While there are many different types of written work which can be categorized as expository style of writing, you can often identify this type of writing by noticing the purpose of the work.

Does the work intend to explain something in more detail?

Does the written piece inform?

Does the written piece answer questions such as "what, how and why?"

Here are some examples of the different types of writing pieces which can fall into the category of expository writing:

Newspaper and Magazine Articles {not including editorials}

Non-Fiction Books

How-To Books

Self Help Books

Writing about Hobbies & Interests

Recipes & Cookbooks

Instructional Guides

Scientific Research

Manuals

Textbooks & Educational Resources

Business Articles & Books

Medical Research, Journals and Articles

When you write expository style pieces, your main goal as a writer is to inform your readers with insight and facts that pertain to the subject of your piece.

For example, if you are writing about the history of ice cream, you would be including a lot of research and fun facts into your piece.

Note that this type of writing style is not intended to persuade or influence your audience. In writing your piece on the history of ice cream, you would NOT be trying to persuade your readers.

You would not want to say things like "Everybody should eat ice cream!" and "These 5 reasons will convince you forever to choose strawberry swirl flavored ice cream as your favorite flavor."

Sometimes it can be confusing on whether an article is expository or persuasive. For example, an article called "The 5 Unexpected Health Benefits of Ice Cream" - would not fall into expository writing, even though it is providing information.

The word "benefits" has a positive connotation to the title. If you were to be writing an article on possible health benefits on ice cream, it would be very important that you as the writer keep your opinion separated from the facts and information if you plan for it to be an expository style piece. To be expository in nature, you would want to use a title such as "Scientists Research The Health Effects of Ice Cream."

Books and articles that explain how to do something are also very popular examples of expository writing. Cookbooks are very popular, as they explain to others the tips, techniques, and recipes on how to cook something. How-to books for hobbies and crafts are also a good example of this type of writing.

Style #2: Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing goes deeper than expository writing. While expository writing might have some descriptive details and factual information, descriptive writing will make use of many writing elements and literary devices such as metaphors and similes.

The purpose and goal of descriptive writing is to bring your reader into the written work as if the reader were to be experiencing it first hand.

Most fictional pieces fall under the category of descriptive writing, and even some non-fiction pieces such as memoirs and creative non-fiction can fall under the category of a descriptive writing style.

If you are writing fiction, the more descriptive you can be with your words, the more relatable your story will be to the reader.

For example, we recommend that writers ask their characters questions as one way to really intimately understand the details about a character. Details about the setting, events, and people present in a story will help your readers be able to imagine and understand the piece.

This style also includes poetry. If you browse through some of our poetry writing prompts, you will see there is a lot of attention put on using details to create a scene or feeling in writing a poem!
Here are some examples of types of descriptive writing pieces:

Poetry & Prose

Travel Diaries

Personal Journals

Lyrics in Music and Songwriting

Most pieces using only a descriptive writing style are not very long. It is uncommon for a fictional novel to be 100% fully descriptive without getting into our next writing style, which is narrative writing.

Style #3: Narrative Writing

Narrative writing is far more complex that simple descriptive writing.

While a poem for example may describe a scene or even events or people - generally you do not get into the deep inner thoughts of the characters or even get a full story with a clear middle, beginning, and end complete with conflict and dialogue.

Nearly all fiction novels fall into the case of narrative writing, as well as longer epic poems and sagas.

In narrative writing, there is a story to be told - a clear plot complete with setting, characters, dialogue, conflict and resolution. A narrative piece often has a timeline or sequence of events which further build to the point of conflict and resolution.
Here are some examples of the works which would be considered to have a narrative writing style:

Fiction Novels

Memoirs & Biographies

Screenplays

Epic Poems

Sagas

Myths, Legends, and Fables

Historical accounts

Essays which talk about a lesson learned or valuable insight from an experience

Narrative writing pieces are generally easy to identify, although sometimes it can be confused with descriptive writing styles. The key difference in determining which one a written work might be is whether or not there is a developed storyline or plot.

If there is a well developed plot and storyline, you are most likely reading narrative writing.

Style #4: Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is a type of writing style where the purpose is to influence someone into believing or doing something. As the word "persuasive" suggests - your goal is to persuade someone's actions or thoughts to align with your own goals as the writer.

The persuasive writing essay is a popular homework assignment for many kids. For example, a student might be assigned to write an essay to convince their parents of something. "Why We Should Get a Pet Rabbit" and "5 Reasons You Should Not Make Me Clean My Room".

Persuasive writing is intended to convince someone of something, and so it usually needs to have a good bit of research and logical analysis - but also should attempt to make an emotional connection to the desired audience as well.

A classic piece of writing which serves as an example of persuasive writing is Thomas Paine's book Common Sense, which was written in the Colonial times of the American Revolutionary War, urging citizens that separating from England was of utmost importance.

Here are some examples of types of writing which are persuasive writing:

Editorial & Opinion pieces in Newspapers and Magazines

Essays on a specific belief or "hot button" topic

Letters written to request an action or file a complaint

Advertisements {Convincing you to buy something}

Copywriting {Note, copywriting is different from copyright!}

Company Brochures

Business Proposals

Political speeches

When the intention of the work is to convince the audience of something - this falls into persuasive writing.

How to Use the 4 Main Different Writing Styles as a Writer

Now that we know the different types of writing styles, you may be wondering how do you use each style?

The first thing to do is think about what you are planning to write and what the intention is. What is your goal and what type of message are you trying to communicate to your readers?

Expository Style Writing:

In this type of writing your goal is to inform your readers about research or data.

When writing expository style pieces, follow these guidelines:

Avoid using words which have a positive or negative connotation

Do not insert your opinion or attempt to persuade your audience into thinking, feeling, or doing something based on your beliefs

Use research and cite your sources

When writing online, link to additional resources or websites

Use quotes, illustrations or informative graphics to highlight the information

Give concise and clear directions

Descriptive Writing Style:

This type of writing has the goal to describe something and bring into your reader's imaginations
Here are some tips for writing with descriptive writing styles:

Use literary devices such as metaphors and similes.

Use well thought out adjectives and adverbs to describe nouns and verbs.

Bring attention to small details

Use the 6 senses: sight, touch, taste, smell, sound, and feeling

Narrative Writing Style:

In narrative writing style, your goal is to convey a storyline to your readers.
Here is how to achieve this type of writing style:

Outline a storyline, plot or timeline sequence of events

Include detailed descriptions of your characters and scenes

Give your readers insight into the inner thoughts or behind-the-scenes information to elements of your story

Answer the 6 W questions in your writing: Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why?

Make it so your piece of work conveys an important lesson or insight - what is the moral of the story? What was the outcome of this experience?

Use concrete language which gives readers a specific image to visualize and relate to

Persuasive Writing Style:

When you are writing to persuade, your intention is to convince your readers to side with you. This can be as simple as convincing them to buy your latest new product, or even writing about important social and humanitarian issues.
Here are some tips for writing persuasively:

Include information, data, and facts to back up your argument

Cite your sources and give readers access to additional information

Appeal to your readers on an emotional level - how will siding with your opinion connect with them and make them feel?

Take into consideration your reader's needs, wants, and desires and how your message will help your reader achieve these.

Understanding Writing Styles Can Help You Be a Better Writer

No matter what type of writing you enjoy creating - understanding the basic main 4 types of writing styles can help you become a better writer.

If you are writing a how-to article for example, you will be able to understand what types of elements to ensure your piece of work includes. If you're writing a descriptive poem, knowing what type of language to use can help convey your message for abstract concepts.

Use these different writing styles as a fun writing exercise!

Even if you typically only write for one style, it can be a lot of fun to push yourself to try to write for the different types of styles. For example, try writing a persuasive essay, and then a descriptive essay on the same topic. It can also be fun to write a descriptive poem and then turn it into a narrative essay or short story.

Not sure what to write about using these different writing styles? We have TONS of ideas for you with many different writing prompts! Check out our list of 365 writing prompts ideas which are sure to inspire your creative muse!

Using prompts is a great way to help you start writing in different writing styles and push yourself to a new exciting challenge for your writing skills!

I hope this article about the different writing styles and how you can use them as a writer will be helpful for you in building and developing your written skillset.

What types of writing styles do you enjoy writing the most? Have any tips for writing in expository, descriptive, narrative or persuasive styles of writing? We'd love to hear your ideas and experiences in the comments section below!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The 4 Main Types of Writing Styles and How to Use Them as a Writer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Understanding the 4 main types of writing styles can help you grow as a writer and attract an audience for your written work. Here's how to identify each style of writing and tips for using each of the 4 common writing styles to develop your written skills.

# data[].attributes.body
Definition and examples.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Definition of Expository Writing

Expository writing is writing that seeks to explain, illuminate or 'expose' (which is where the word 'expository' comes from). This type of writing can include essays, newspaper and magazine articles, instruction manuals, textbooks, encyclopedia articles and other forms of writing, so long as they seek to explain. Expository writing differs from other forms of writing, such as fiction and poetry. In fact, this lesson itself is an example of expository writing.

The expository essay is a tool that is often used in the academic world. If you've attended school, it's highly likely you've written one. Most expository essays have an introductory paragraph in which a thesis or objective is stated, several main body paragraphs that prove or explain what is in the introduction, and a concluding paragraph in which everything is summed up.

When writing an expository essay, it's important to write with the assumption that your audience has little to no background knowledge about the main topic. Your duty as the writer is to provide the reader with as much information as you can. The reader should feel as if he or she has learned something after reading your essay.

Examples of Expository Writing

There are different types of expository writing that are used for different purposes. Let's take a look at some examples. First, a descriptive essay can be used when the writer wants to describe the characteristics or features of a person, place, thing, process, event, etc. Descriptive essays, more than other types of expository writing, seek to stimulate the reader's senses.

For example, if you wanted to describe what chocolate chip cookies are like, you might write: 'Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most popular desserts in the world. They can either be crispy or soft and have a sweet smell to them reminiscent of a bakery. They taste rich and melt in your mouth. When they bake, they 'wrinkle' up in the oven, and the combination of the nooks and crannies in the dough with the mouth-watering chocolate chips on top make them hard to resist.' These several sentences have aptly described chocolate chip cookies using sight, smell, taste and touch. You could also describe a process, such as running a marathon, in which you told the reader about how much you sweated, how you lost your breath going up hills, how you couldn't see three feet in front of you because of the fog, etc.

Next, process writing is often used in instruction manuals and other technical writing pieces. A process essay should be well-structured, so that someone reading it can follow sequential directions. An example of such a piece of writing would be practically any instruction manual you might happen to have, from how to operate your toaster oven to how to change a tire on a bicycle. Software manuals are full of this type of writing. Many examples of process writing have step-by-step instructions, such as 'Step 1: Put collar on dog. Step 2: Attach leash to collar. Step 3: Open door and step outside with dog.'

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
what is expository writing? - definition & examples - video & lesson transcript | study.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is Expository Writing? - Definition & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Expository writing is writing that seeks to explain, illuminate or 'expose' (which is where the word 'expository' comes from). This type of writing can include essays, newspaper and magazine articles, instruction manuals, textbooks, encyclopedia articles and other forms of writing, so long as they seek to explain.

# data[].attributes.body
How to write a descriptive essay including examples.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Descriptive writing is about using the power of words to arouse the imagination, capture the attention, and create a lasting impact in the mind of the reader. In this article, you'll learn how to employ descriptive elements in your writing, tips to enhance your descriptive writing skills, and some exercises to better yourself at it.

Read the two sentences given below:

I felt tired at work today.

As the day wore on at work, I felt a cramp beginning to form at the nape of my neck, my eyes began to feel droopy, and the computer screen in front of me began blurring.

Which one of the two do you find more interesting to read? Most definitely the second one. This is because, while the first sentence merely tells you directly that 'you felt tired at work today', the second one explains the same experience in a much more vivid and relatable manner.

From this you can see that even something as simple as the above sentence can be transformed using literary devices that aid visualization, into something that someone can relate to. This is what descriptive writing is all about: heightening the sense of perception and alluring your reader to read ahead, because you have so much more to say.

Good Examples of Descriptive Writing

Given below are a couple of good pieces of descriptive writing from authors who know their business.

'But the door slid slowly open before Lupin could reach it. Standing in the doorway, illuminated by the shivering flames in Lupin's hand, was a cloaked figure that towered to the ceiling. Its face was completely hidden beneath its hood. Harry's eyes darted downwards, and what he saw made his stomach contract. There was a hand protruding from the cloak and it was glistening, greyish, slimy-looking and scabbed, like something dead that had decayed in water...'
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

'I don't know what I'd expected but it was something different than I saw. She looked unexpectedly young. Or, I suppose said better, she looked unexpectedly "not old". Her hair, which was completely white, had a yellowish cast that could almost have been mistaken for a pale blond, and it was loose around her shoulders. And long. Longer than mine. No doubt she normally wore it pulled up in a bun, and such a style would have given her a more predictable little-old-lady look, but the way it was here now, parted on the side - long, loose, and straight - she seemed ageless as an ancient sculpture. This sense was enhanced by her skin. Though it had the fragile crepeyness of age, she had few wrinkles, especially across her forehead, which was smooth to a point of being almost waxy looking. She was of obvious northern Germanic heritage, with pale eyes and prominent features. Although she was not overweight, her bones were big and blunt, giving the impression of a tall, sturdy woman.'
- Twilight Children by Torey Hayden

Why be Descriptive While Writing?

The purpose of descriptive writing is to inspire imagination. When you put your mind into making a piece of writing more descriptive, you automatically begin to pay attention to detail and refine your perception about things. You begin to imagine them as much more than, say a party hat or a hard-bound book. You begin to look at them as a tall, pink, pointed paper hat with tassels, and a book that had a gleaming golden spine, and weighed a few good pounds.

The next, and probably the most important benefit of descriptive writing is that in the process of trying to make the reader visualize what you want to say, you tend to use more interesting words. You want to convey a mental picture to your reader. So you're bound to use words that might be unconventional or less-used. You will want to find words that exactly describe what you want to say, and will look for different words that mean the same. This will help you suitably build your vocabulary.

The success of descriptive writing lies in the details. The more detailed your depiction of a plot or a character or a place is, the more you engross your reader. You become a keen observer and minder of details. You pay attention to the tiniest bits of information and appearance, which in turn helps you transfer the details into your writing.

Since you have picked something to describe and have observed all its details, you are sure to understand the subject better. You may even come across bits and pieces that you may have missed the first time you looked at the object/subject in question. Thoroughly understanding what you're going to write about is exceedingly important to the process of writing about it.

Tips you Can Use

Decide why you're describing that particular aspect Identify what you're about to describe
As you start with descriptive writing, identify exactly what you are setting out to describe. Usually, a descriptive piece will include the depiction of a person, a place, an experience, a situation, and the like. Anything that you experience or perceive about your subject can be the focal point of your descriptive writing. You build a backdrop by identifying an aspect of a subject that you want to describe.

While it can be a wonderful creative exercise to simply describe anything you observe, in descriptive writing, there is often a specific reason to describe whatever you have set out to describe. Tapping this reason can help you keep the description focused and infuse your language with the particular emotion or perspective that you want to convey to your readers.

Use Imagery

Imagery is the best tool you can employ in descriptive writing. Since you cannot show your reader what you are imagining, you need to paint a picture with words. You need to make the depiction of your imagination so potent that your reader will instantly be able to visualize what you are describing. However, don't go overboard. Make sure that the focus does not dwindle stray. Keep your descriptions specific to the subject in question. The writing must be able to draw in the reader; hence, the writer should say things that the reader can relate to or empathize with. An introductory backdrop can often provide an effective setting for the remaining part of the piece. Great descriptive writing has the ability to lure the reader, enticing him or her to continue reading right to the end. While giving the details is important, it is how they are presented that makes the difference.

She gently squeezed the juice out of the plump, red tomato. She blended this juice into the simmering mix of golden-brown onions and garlic in the pan, and watched as they melded into each other. She then added the spice mixture that she had prepared, and the air was permeated with a mouth-watering aroma.

Use strong nouns and verbs effectively, adjectives intelligently

It is true that the purpose of adjectives is to describe a subject, but overuse of adjectives in descriptive writing can render the piece shallow and hollow. Hence, make it a point to use other parts of speech to express the same sentiment. You'll be surprised how effectively nouns, verbs and adverbs can be used to describe something, sometimes even better than adjectives alone. For instance, look at the two sentences below.

The flowers were as fresh as the morning dew.

The flowers had a freshness that could only equal that of the glistening morning dew.

The first sentence has used an adjective (fresh) to describe the flowers. It is a good description too, because the comparison to morning dew is something that will immediately put the reader in the sense of mind that you want. The second sentence too has compared the freshness to morning dew, but has used a noun (freshness) and a verb (equal) to do so, and in the process has probably enticed the reader to continue reading, more than the first sentence.

Exercises to Enhance Descriptive Writing

Given below are some simple, yet effective exercises that you can use to better yourself at descriptive writing.

Get your 'assignments' read by an objective person to see if they can relate to and understand properly what you have tried to convey.

Make descriptive writing a rewarding experience, both for your reader and yourself. If you like what you write, chances are that your reader will too. As is evident, having a comprehensive vocabulary is the key to good descriptive writing. But mere vocabulary will fall short if your piece lacks passion, logic and interest. The trouble is that it can easily become an incoherent rambling of senses and emotions. To avoid that, present what you are writing about in a logical and organized sequence of thoughts, so that the reader comes away from it with a cogent sense of what you have attempted to describe.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Descriptive Writing: Definition, Tips, Examples, and Exercises

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Descriptive writing is about using the power of words to arouse the imagination, capture the attention, and create a lasting impact in the mind of the reader. In this article, you'll learn how to employ descriptive elements in your writing, tips to enhance your descriptive writing skills, and some exercises to better yourself at it.

# data[].attributes.body
Definition and examples of narrative writing.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The definition of is a piece of writing that tells a story, and it is one of four classical rhetorical modes or ways that writers use to present information. The others include an exposition, which explains and analyzes an idea or set of ideas; an argument, which attempts to persuade the reader to a particular point of view; and a description, a written form of a visual experience.

Key Takeaways: Narrative Definition

A narrative is a form of writing that tells a story.

Narratives can be essays, fairy tales, movies, and jokes.

Narratives have five elements: plot, setting, character, conflict, and theme.

Writers use narrator style, chronological order, a point of view, and other strategies to tell a story.

Telling stories is an ancient art that started long before humans invented writing. People tell stories when they gossip, tell jokes, or reminisce about the past. Written forms of narration include most forms of writing: personal essays, fairy tales, short stories, novels, plays, screenplays, autobiographies, histories, even news stories have a narrative. Narratives may be a sequence of events in chronological order or an imagined tale with flashbacks or multiple timelines.

Narrative Elements

Every narrative has five elements that define and shape the narrative: plot, setting, character, conflict, and theme. These elements are rarely stated in a story; they are revealed to the readers in the story in subtle or not-so-subtle ways, but the writer needs to understand the elements to assemble her story. Here's an example from "The Martian," a novel by Andy Weir that was made into a film:

The plot is the thread of events that occur in a story. Weir's plot is about a man who gets accidentally abandoned on the surface of Mars.

The setting is the location of the events in time and place. "The Martian" is set on Mars in the not-too-distant future.

The characters are the people in the story who drive the plot, are impacted by the plot, or may even be bystanders to the plot. The characters in "The Martian" include Mark Watney, his shipmates, the people at NASA resolving the issue, and even his parents who are only mentioned in the story but still are impacted by the situation and in turn impact Mark's decisions.

The conflict is the problem that is being resolved. Plots need a moment of tension, which involves some difficulty that requires resolution. The conflict in "The Martian" is that Watney needs to figure out how to survive and eventually leave the planet's surface.

Most important and least explicit is the theme. What is the moral of the story? What does the writer intend the reader to understand? There are arguably several themes in "The Martian": the ability of humans to overcome problems, the stodginess of bureaucrats, the willingness of scientists to overcome political differences, the dangers of space travel, and the power of flexibility as a scientific method.

Setting Tone and Mood

In addition to structural elements, narratives have several styles that help move the plot along or serve to involve the reader. Writers define space and time in a descriptive narrative, and how they choose to define those characteristics can convey a specific mood or tone.

For example, chronological choices can affect the reader's impressions. Past events always occur in strict chronological order, but writers can choose to mix that up, show events out of sequence, or the same event several times experienced by different characters or described by different narrators. In Gabriel García Márquez's novel "Chronicle of a Death Foretold," the same few hours are experienced in sequence from the viewpoint of several different characters. García Márquez uses that to illustrate the peculiar almost magical inability of the townspeople to stop a murder they know is going to happen.

The choice of a narrator is another way that writers set the tone of a piece. Is the narrator someone who experienced the events as a participant, or one who witnessed the events but wasn't an active participant? Is that narrator an omniscient undefined person who knows everything about the plot including its ending, or is he confused and uncertain about the events underway? Is the narrator a reliable witness or lying to themselves or the reader? In the novel "Gone Girl," by Gillian Flynn, the reader is forced to constantly revise her opinion as to the honesty and guilt of the husband Nick and his missing wife. In "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov, the narrator is Humbert Humbert, a pedophile who constantly justifies his actions despite the damage that Nabokov illustrates he's doing.

Point of View

Establishing a point of view for a narrator allows the writer to filter the events through a particular character. The most common point of view in fiction is the omniscient (all-knowing) narrator who has access to all the thoughts and experiences of each of her characters. Omniscient narrators are almost always written in the third person and do not usually have a role in the storyline. The Harry Potter novels, for example, are all written in third person; that narrator knows everything about everybody but is unknown to us.

The other extreme is a story with a first-person point of view in which the narrator is a character within that story, relating events as they see them and with no visibility into other character motivations. Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" is an example of this: Jane relates her experiences of the mysterious Mr. Rochester to us directly, not revealing the full explanation until "Reader, I married him."

Points of view can also be effectively shifted throughout a piece-in her novel "Keys to the Street," Ruth Rendell used limited third-person narratives from the point of view of five different characters, enabling the reader to assemble a coherent whole out of what first appears to be unrelated stories.

Other Strategies

Writers also use the grammatical strategies of tense (past, present, future), person (first person, second person, third person), number (singular, plural) and voice (active, passive). Writing in the present tense is unsettling-the narrators have no idea what will happen next-while past tense can build in some foreshadowing. Many recent novels use the present tense, including "The Martian." A writer sometimes personalizes the narrator of a story as a specific person for a specific purpose: The narrator can only see and report on what happens to him or her. In "Moby Dick," the entire story is told by the narrator Ishmael, who relates the tragedy of the mad Captain Ahab, and is situated as the moral center.

E.B. White, writing columns in 1935's "New Yorker" magazine, often used the plural or "editorial we" to add a humorous universality and a slow pace to his writing.

"The barber was cutting our hair, and our eyes were closed-as they are so likely to be... Deep in a world of our own, we heard, from far away, a voice saying goodbye. It was a customer of the shop, leaving. 'Goodbye,' he said to the barbers. 'Goodbye,' echoed the barbers. And without ever returning to consciousness, or opening our eyes, or thinking, we joined in. 'Goodbye,' we said, before we could catch ourselves."-E.B. White "Sadness of Parting."

In contrast, sportswriter Roger Angell (White's stepson) epitomizes sports writing, with a quick, active voice, and straight chronological snap:

"In September 1986, during an unmomentous Giants-Braves game out at Candlestick Park, Bob Brenly, playing third base for San Francisco, made an error on a routine ground ball in the top of the fourth inning. Four batters later, he kicked away another chance and then, scrambling after the ball, threw wildly past home in an attempt to nail a runner there: two errors on the same play. A few moments after that, he managed another boot, thus becoming only the fourth player since the turn of the century to rack up four errors in one inning."-Roger Angell. "La Vida."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Is a Narrative and How Do I Write One?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The definition of is a piece of writing that tells a story, and it is one of four classical rhetorical modes or ways that writers use to present information. The others include an exposition, which explains and analyzes an idea or set of ideas; an argument, which attempts to persuade the reader to a particular point of view; and a description, a written form of a visual experience.

# data[].attributes.body
Definition, examples, and speeches.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Persuasive writing provides the opportunity to convince someone to adopt a particular viewpoint. Explore various persuasive writing examples designed to convince the reader to take a certain action. With these samples in mind, you'll be able to go on and write a most convincing persuasive essay.

notebook persuasive writing

Persuasive Writing in Ad Campaigns

Persuasive writing is very common in ad campaigns where marketing wants to convince you to buy something. There's an entire psychology behind ad campaigns. Expert marketers look for ways to convince customers to buy their products. Sometimes, they'll make promises - true or false - and other times they'll use words with a sense of urgency like "today" or "now." Let's explore a few examples.

Chippers are the crispiest, crunchiest, and most delicious brand of chips you will ever taste. Buy a bag today.

A Lexi Mattress is the most comfortable bed you'll ever sleep on. Take a 30-day trial and see for yourself. If you're not satisfied, we'll come to your home, remove the mattress, and refund you in full. You've got nothing to lose. Give it a try today.

Chompers Dog Food is sure to make your dog's tail wag. If you truly love your pup, you'll try one of our all-natural selections today.

Why risk making a mistake on your tax returns or missing out on added money in your bank account? Trust the experts at 123 Accounting to ensure you get the biggest tax refund possible.

Here at Schuster & Schuster, our injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We will take your case and defend your interests to the very end. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Our holistic headache medication will get rid of your headache with just one pill and fewer side effects than aspirin or ibuprofen. Be good to your body and try it today.

Persuasive Essay Examples

Persuasive essays are a great way to formulate sound arguments and distribute them to the public. If nothing else, these types of essays may be a requirement at some point in your academic career. You'll need a great persuasive essay topic to get started. Let's take a look at a few excerpts from persuasive essays. Each of these could stand as the thesis statement in a well-crafted argument.

The death penalty is a good deterrent for criminals. Beyond that, it is fair because the Bible supports "an eye for an eye." We need to keep the death penalty on the books.

Marijuana should be legalized. We are putting too many people in prison and spending too much money to incarcerate them for nonviolent crimes.

Mandatory Minimum Persuasive Essay Example

Rather than just an excerpt of a persuasive essay, sink your teeth into a short example of what a persuasive example might look like.

Mandatory minimum sentencing is harmful to the human race. It is a form of discrimination; many people receive long sentences for minor crimes. We should overturn mandatory minimum sentencing rules and give judges more leeway in their decision-making.
Mandatory minimum sentences are one of the worst forms of discrimination. Because judges need to have a minimum sentence, they hand down sentences that don't completely fit the crime. Someone that commits a minor crime receives a harsh punishment despite circumstances. For example, a man steals to try to feed his starving child and gets sentenced to the minimum requirement despite his circumstances.
Furthermore, mandatory minimum sentences should be overturned to create a fair justice system. Rather than trying to meet a mandatory minimum, judges should be able to look at all the evidence and circumstances within a case and make a ruling accordingly. They shouldn't just hand out sentences because they need to meet a quota.
Lastly, removing mandatory minimum sentences could allow judges to use their own best judgment. After hearing all the evidence in the case, they could make a decision based on knowledge and their experience. They wouldn't just be handing down an unfair, and quite honestly unjust, verdict.
As you can clearly see, mandatory minimum sentences should be taken away. Rather than having a minimum to meet, judges should be able to use their own judgment and discretion in a case after looking at all the evidence. Don't you think mandatory minimums are against our own human rights?

Speeches and Persuasive Writing

A powerful persuasive speech stands the chance of rocking an entire nation. Presidential candidates rally for months before an election year. Small town councils meet regularly, often to listen to persuasive speeches about the community. At some point in your college career, you might even find yourself in a public speaking class that will ask you to deliver a persuasive speech. Explore some examples of persuasive speeches at work.

Are you tired of seeing your paychecks slashed by unjust tax deductions? We work hard to provide for our families and then wind up only being able to live paycheck to paycheck. If you vote for me, I'll make sure your taxes are lowered and you get the government services that you depend on. Imagine everything you'll be able to do with more wiggle room in your monthly income. Cast your vote today.

Raising taxes is wrong because people should be entitled to keep their own money and because an increase in tax revenue will be stifling to businesses. We should keep taxes low or even reduce tax rates to encourage growth.

Saving Our Community Garden Persuasive Speech

Check out a short example of a persuasive speech in action.

Every day as you walk down Maple St., you might notice the small little garden flourishing under the sunlight. What you might not realize is that garden goes to feed everyone. It's a staple of our community. And, we need to act now to save our community garden.
This beautiful staple of our community is ten years in the making, with enough organic vegetables to feed every mouth in this neighborhood. Hud & Co. has no right to come into our town and pave a parking lot over one of our most prominent food sources. Many people depend on that food to survive. Where else can you find free fresh food to give your family? Where else can you find the coming together of a community to make sure everyone can eat? It isn't just about a garden, it's a way of life and a chemical free meal.
Don't let Hud & Co. take away our way of life for nothing more than extra parking spaces. Come rally with me this Friday night. Together, we will stand in their way and protect our beloved town.

Persuasive Review and Editorial Examples

Has a review ever made you pick up a book? Do you remember being sparked to action by an editorial in a paper? Reviews and editorials present an opinion about a book, movie, event, or topic. Using the reviewer's personal opinion, they tell the reader why they should or shouldn't check something out or learn more about it. Explore a few examples of persuasive reviews and editorials.

Book Review of Pride & Prejudice Excerpt

One of the most common forms of persuasive reviews is book reviews. Dive into a simple example of a book review.

Upon first cracking the old worn cover of this historical fiction, I began to wonder what I'd gotten myself into. Beyond just being a great classic, Pride and Prejudice gives us a look into history. It tells us about the hierarchy of the time and exactly where women stood. But it did more than that. Within her first few words, Austen works to suck you into a world much different than your own.

Persuasive Editorial on School Uniforms

An editorial presents an opinion on an issue, like a political stance. Check out a short example of a persuasive editorial.

School is not only for learning from books, it's about learning about yourself. As you grow and change, throughout your formative years, you learn so much about your own style and personality. But that freedom of expression is taken away when uniforms are instilled in schools. According to a study by Pearson in Time magazine, school uniforms stunted the personal growth of more than 70% of youth. When freedom of expression is taken away, it's hard for adolescents to truly develop a sense of self.

Take Action Today

In each example, the goal is to get someone to do something or support something. Sound reasoning is required to convince the audience that there's a benefit to their taking action. Do you know who was the master of reason? Aristotle himself. He developed the three modes of reasoning - ethos, logos and pathos. That is, ethics, logic and emotion. Why not let Aristotle lead you down the pathway to persuasive success?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Persuasive Writing Examples: From Essays to Speeches

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Persuasive writing provides the opportunity to convince someone to adopt a particular viewpoint. Explore various persuasive writing examples designed to convince the reader to take a certain action. With these samples in mind, you'll be able to go on and write a most convincing persuasive essay.

# data[].attributes.body
Tips for students with handwriting and letter reversals as well as difficulty with classroom tools.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.