Writing Resources – Grammar Tools
By Deb
From two school sites, Ms. Garrett Online and links from Iredell-Statesville Schools, come several pages of specialized grammar help. The first site was designed for this Portland Oregon teacher’s students, but the tools are useful to anyone needing a quick infusion of word substitutes. Links to the second site were created to help students prepare for North Carolina’s state writing test.
- Descriptive Words – This page lists sensory words in the categories of Sound, Touch & Texture, Color & Visual Qualities, Smell, and Pattern & Shape. We typically think of descriptive words a being adjectives or adverbs, but to write succinctly and with power, using nouns and verbs that are descriptive in themselves generally makes our writing stronger. Thankfully, many of the words can be used as adjectives, nouns or verbs: “The ringing of the telephone gave her a headache.” (noun) “A ringing bell in the church tower marked each hour.” (adjective) “The debris ringing the asteroid was breathtaking.” (verb) Other words on the list are not quite so versatile, but you’ll find plenty of useful terms on this page. (opens in new window)
- Action Verbs - If you heed all the good writing advice, you’ll know that using an unadorned verb is preferable to tacking on adverbs to be descriptive. Here’s Ms. Garrett’s list. (opens in new window)
- Transition Words – You need to get yourself from here to there, but what’s an effective word to bridge the gap between words, sentences or paragraphs? Check out this list of linking expressions. It’s subdivided into transitions to show time and place, to compare or contrast, to emphasize a point or to clarify, to add information, and to summarize or conclude. Here it is. (opens in new window)
- Substitutes for “Said” – You don’t want to overdo this, at least if you’re writing for eventual publication, as many editors complain when novelists use “said” substitutes. Their rationale is that “said” is nearly invisible, whereas other words are more intrusive. Also, dialogue tags aren’t always needed. So a word to the wise – use alternatives to the plain vanilla “said” only when you want to draw attention to how the dialogue sounds. If, however, you’re taking a standardized writing test, “be creative,” she warned. There are two lists of “said” subs at this link and this one. (links open in new windows)
- “Dead” Words – Overused or cliché words can be the kiss of death for your writing. Check out these alternatives here. (opens in new window)
- Miscellaneous Writing Links – Some useful links on writing, including several that related to North Carolina’s test standards for narrative writing, located at this site. (opens in new window)
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