A simple exercise to practice writing improved paragraphs:
Write 3 simple sentences.
Check tense.
Check sense.
Add.
How to do it
1. Check tense
Are all the tenses correct?
2. Check sense
Can you understand what is being said?
3. Add
(i) Adjectives (and adverbs)
(ii) Details
In each sentence, think about:
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
How much?
How often?
(iii) Background
Think of the history of each noun.
Useful phrases include:
…that…
…which…
…who…
(iv) Devices
Add similes, metaphors, allegory, etc.
(v) Punctuation
Add interesting punctuation:
()
– –
;
:
Examples
I went to the supermarket.
I saw a cake.
I bought it.
1. Tense – past
2. Sense – understand it?
3. Add
Last Tuesday after work my friend and I went to the large supermarket next to my office (I usually go on a Monday, but I had been busy). I saw a bright yellow cheesecake that looked a bit like a squashed banana and cost $4.50. After thinking for 5 minutes – $4.50 seemed quite expensive – I bought it because I love cheesecake.
Adjectives
Details
Background
Devices
Punctuation