Smiley Face Tricks for Writing 
1.MAGIC THREE: Three items in a series, separated by commas that create a poetic rhythm or add support for a
point, especially when the items have their own modifiers.

In those woods, I would spend hours listening to the wind rustle the leaves, climbing the trees and spying on
nesting birds, and giving the occasional wild growl to scare away anyone who might be riding their bikes too
close to my secret entrance. (Todd)
2. FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: These can add “spice” to writing and help paint a more vivid picture for the reader.
Include examples of similes, metaphors, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification, alliteration, etc.

simile--a comparison between two distinctly different things using "like" or "as" (Life is like a highway.)

metaphor--a figure of speech in which two unlike objects are implicitly compared without the use of
"like" or "as." (Life is a highway.)

hyperbole--a very strong exaggeration. (Her smile is as wide as the ocean!)

personification--giving an inhuman thing a human quality. (The diamonds are jealous of your beauty!)

alliteration-Mrs. Niemann makes many mistakes.

onomatopoeia- "Chug, chug, chug. Puff, puff, puff. Ding-dong, ding-dong. The little train rumbled over
the tracks."(“The Little Engine That Could”)
When we first moved into the house on Orchid Street, I didn’t like it. My room was hot, cramped, and stuffy
as a train in the middle of the Sahara. The looming skeleton-like gray and white frame of the place scared
me. (Teri)
3. SPECIFIC DETAILS FOR EFFECT: Add vivid and specific information to your writing to clarify and create word
pictures. Use sensory details to help the reader visualize the person, place, thing, or idea that you are describing.

“It’s one of those experiences where you want to call a radio station and tell your problems to some guy who calls
himself Dr. Myke, but who isn’t more of a doctor than your pet hamster is, one of those experiences where you want
to read a sappy Harlequin novel and listen to Barry Manilow with a box of bonbons as your best friend, one of those
experiences where you wouldn’t be surprised if someone came up to you and asked exactly what time yesterday you
were born. Yeah, one of those.” (Ileana)
4. REPETITION FOR EFFECT: Repeat a symbol, sentence starter, important word, etc. to underline its importance.

“The veranda is your only shelter away from the sister in bed asleep, away from the brother that plays in the
tree house in the field, away from your chores that await you.” (Leslie)
5. HUMOR: Whenever possible and appropriate, inject a little humor to keep your reader awake.

“And you-yes, you, Justin!-were the guilty party who, after I took off my shoes to enjoy the hot pavement in early
spring, put a frog in them. Of course, I didn’t look at the shoes when I put them back on; it was the squish that gave
your prank away.” (Liz)
6.  HYPHENATED MODIFIERS: When you connect two adjectives or adverbs together with a hyphen, it lends an
air of originality and sophistication to your writing.
My crazy, I’m-so-hyper-24/7 puppy was ripping my favorite shoes apart.
7.  START SENTENCES IN A VARIETY OF WAYS

Subjects in unusual order! (SUO-Princess Bride fans, anyone?)
Usual order: The jets sped into the deep blue sky.
Unusual order: Into the deep blue sky sped the jets.

Singing was crucial for Mrs. Niemann. (Gerund/gerund phrase)

Smiling, Bon Jovi waved to Mrs. Niemann. (participle/participial phrase)

To sing is good for your health. (infinitive/infinitive phrase)

Quietly, Mrs. Niemann walked through the 7th grade pod.(adverb)

Because Bon Jovi will be touring this year, I will be taking several days off from work. (adverb clause)

Awed and curious, Mrs. Niemann’s daughters attended their first Bon Jovi concert. (adjective)

In the morning, Mrs. Niemann will leave for the Bon Jovi concert. (prepositional phrase)
8.  COMMA RULES: When you use these rules in your writing, sentence fluency improves and the level of
sophistication increases! (see comma rule sheet)
9.  ACTION VERBS: Explode! Scream! Sneeze! Type! Kick! What are these words doing? They are expressing action,
something that a person, animal, force of nature, or thing can do. Eliminate “being” verbs (is, are, was, were, be, been,
being, am) by using action verbs! Remember, you can’t just take out the being verb…you need to restructure your
sentence. Use  tricks and comma rules to help you do this!

Being verb:
The alarm clock is buzzing.

Action verb:
The alarm clock buzzed like an angry bumblebee.
10.  METHODS OF ELABORATION: Adjectives! Allusions! Anecdotes! Definitions! Descriptions! Dialogue!
Examples! Expanded Moment! Facts and Figures! Quotations! Reasons! (see methods of elaboration sheet for
explanations)