Strong Verbs
If a specific noun paints the picture, a strong verb makes it move. Swap a tired verb for one that acts.
The Writer's Workshop, where the Mayor reads finished writing himself, returns soon.
Vinny the Action Verb swoops in with his cape on, and his move is one move: a single strong verb beats a weak one dragging an adverb behind it.
The full Writing Company lesson cycle is coming.
The dog ran quickly across the yard.
The dog sprinted across the yard.
Ran quickly takes two words to do what sprinted does in one. Vinny trades the verb-plus-adverb for the verb that already carries the speed.
- Find the weak verb: a be verb (is, was, were), or a verb leaning on an adverb (ran quickly).
- Ask what the action really is.
- Swap in one verb that already carries it (ran quickly becomes sprinted).
Play it in the Arcade.
Take the craft move onto the floor with the live game. Free, and it plays daily.
Spin a hero, a shape, and a world into a story idea, make the words come alive, then write your story and keep it.
Play Spin a Yarn →The smoke went everywhere.
Smoke filled the kitchen.
Went everywhere is a verb on a coffee break. Filled does the moving. Notice the strong verb even let the sentence drop the extra words.
A real writing skill, Grades 1 through 8.
Strong Verbs is one of the nine Writing Company chapters, where Grammaropolis teaches writing and composition. It maps to a Common Core writing strand; the per-grade, per-framework alignment fills in as the workbook line and the lesson cycle come online.
The Writer's Workshop, where the Mayor reads finished writing himself, returns soon.
Strong Verbs serves CCSS W.x.3.D and W.x.2.D (precise words) and L.x.6 (precise vocabulary).
Other Writing Company chapters.
Back to the Writing Company → The Writing Company workbooks → Try Wonderful Words →
The Writer's Workshop, where the Mayor reads finished writing himself, returns soon.
Ready to write?
Play the live game to practice the move. The Writer's Workshop, where the Mayor reads a finished piece himself and certifies it Gold, Silver, or Bronze, returns soon. The full Writing Company lesson cycle is coming.