Improve Writing Skills with Connotation: Verbs and Adjectives
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This is the second entry in my online writing classes. The first covered the basic essay format. This entry in my online writing courses will discuss how to improve writing skills by using colorful verbs and adjectives, which is part of style or voice.
Style is an important part of writing skills. It gives your paper interest, and it makes your unique voice evident. Style is often difficult to teach. It seems that some people “have it,” while others don’t. For example, I feel pretty sure that the great writers like Shakespeare, Wordsworth, and Tennyson never had to take online writing courses on style. Even if you don’t have a natural gift for word choice, however, there are several ways to improve your writing skills, and I hope you'll find my online writing classes helpful.
Connotation
Many words we use have connotation. Connotation is an idea that’s suggested by a word, beyond its literal meaning. Connotations often include emotions and judgments. For example, the words determined and stubborn have much the same literal meaning, but determined is usually a positive character trait, while stubborn is usually negative.
Verbs
You can improve writing skills by paying more attention to the verbs you use. We all know what verbs are, right? Verbs are words that show action:
The horse ran across the field.
The dog sniffed the empty can.
My mother cooked dinner.
The words in italics are all verbs. Every sentence must contain a verb, and the verb you choose to use can add more meaning to your sentence without actually changing the basic meaning of the sentence:
The girl rose quickly from her chair.
The girl leapt from her chair.
These two sentences have the same meaning, but the second one is more interesting. Leapt helps your reader create a stronger mental image because it carries connotation.
Another example:
The old man walked down the road.
The old man trudged down the road.
The second sentence has far more connotation than the first. With trudged, the reader gets the sense that walking was difficult for the old man. See? Just by changing the verb, you’ve added meaning to the sentence and have made it more colorful and interesting.
Adjectives
You can also improve writing skills by using adjectives. Adjectives are words that describe nouns:
The shaggy dog needed a bath.
The red truck was for sale.
The words in italics are adjectives. Adjectives add description to sentences, but they aren’t grammatically necessary. In other words, a sentence doesn’t have to contain an adjective.
Like verbs, adjectives can have connotation that can make your sentences more interesting, thereby improving your writing skills by adding to your style or voice.
Look at these two sentences:
The crippled man walked down the road.
The crooked man walked down the road.
Crooked implies that the man’s body was bent in some way because of his affliction. Crooked has more connotation than crippled.
Some adjectives are just more interesting than others. Take the following sentences, for example:
The red berries hung from the tree.
The crimson berries hung from the tree.
His white face revealed that he was in shock.
His alabaster face revealed that he was in shock.
The old man walked down the bumpy road.
The old man walked down the rutted road.
Let’s try using colorful verbs and adjectives in the same sentence:
The old man walked down the road.
The crooked old man trudged down the rutted road.
See how the second sentence is much more interesting than the first? This is due to connotation, which can become part of your style or voice and improve your writing skills.
A word of caution
When you’re learning how to improve your writing skills with the use of colorful verbs and adjectives, don’t get carried away. Think of it as eating fudge. A little bit is wonderful, but too much can make you sick!
When I was teaching actual writing courses, I’d often have students go through their papers and circle every other verb. I would then ask them to change every boring verb to one that had more interest. You can do the same thing with adjectives.
To read more about writing skills, check out my other online writing courses, found below. I’ll be adding to these in the coming weeks. If you’re a high school student wanting to learn how to improve your writing skills, I hope you find my free online writing classes helpful!
More online writing courses:
- Norman Conquest and the English Language
The effects of the Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest on the English language are discussed. Printed and spoken examples are included. - How to Improve Writing Skills with Word Games
Tips for improving writing skills by using word games and writing exercises, provided by a retired writing and literature teacher. - Poetry Analysis: How To
Tips for writing a poetry analysis, from a retired high school teacher. - Free Online Writing Courses: Teach Kids to be Better Writers
Its really never too soon to start teaching basic writing skills, and with this installment of my free online writing courses, Ill provide you with some tips. I use these with my grandchildren, and... - Online Writing Courses: Gerunds
Welcome to another lesson in my free online writing courses. The main purpose of my online writing classes is to help students, but some adult writers might find them helpful, also especially as a... - Online Writing Courses: Spelling and Usage
Welcome to my online writing courses! If youre interested in making money as a freelancer, you need to be attentive to correct grammar and mechanics. Most publishers dont want to spend a lot of time... - Online Writing Courses: Subjective vs. Objective Pronouns
This is another entry in my free online writing classes. Todays writing skills topic is about pronouns and whether the pronoun used is subjective or objective. Many writers make mistakes with case, and... - Online Writing Classes: Commas Part I
This is another installment of my online writing classes. Several people have requested that I write an article about comma usage, so consider me your online writing tutor! Using commas correctly can be... - Essay Writing - How to Write an Essay
Im a retired teacher of literature and writing. I really miss teaching, so I decided to do a little online teaching with free writing courses. Of course, it wont be the same because I wont have that... - How to Make Money Writing on Helium Marketplace
You can make money writing and selling articles for Heliums Marketplace. I did. I wrote an entire article about my experience. You can read it by clicking the link below this hub. Now back to the topic at...
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Wow... What a GREAT teacher you are!! What an inventive way of teaching Hubbers. I really liked your Hub on essay's and have tried a couple of the techniques in my Hub's. This particular Hub covers the ground that I had to relearn in the 11th grade, and have since forgotten.
Can we please have comma's, periods and paragraphs soon? I know I mess up really bad on those!
Ok, I'm re-reading my comment here and trying to figure out if I made any mistakes. Oh boy, I just don't know.
But it is a GREAT Hub and I will be looking forward to more lessons!
Love your fudge analogy. Adjectives are so tempting--they're like the colorful sprinkles and yet, as writers,we are told to use them sparingly, thoughtfully--there I go--already too many adjectives to make the grade. Right, teacher? Love this series, keep going...rated useful.
Habee, This is a great review of simple writing skills that I was taught in school. It is making me pay more attention again to my word choices. Thanks
Habee, As always your Hubs are top notch and very well written! Thank you for this useful information! I rated it up a notch as usual, and will Tweet it for you! Thank you for your informative hubs!
Good basic writing skills to have,Habee. Thanks for sharing.
Habee, I second the motion that your hubs are always top notch. I enjoy learning and reading your good stuff.
Linda
Excellent Hub. I help people with writing professionally so I applaud your hub.
Holle - I was going to write "excellent, informative, well-written and worthwhile information" in this hub. But then I read that you said don't get carried away with adjectives, so I'll just write: Great hub. Wait a minute - maybe that doesn't apply to comments. Whatcha think?
Habee, I voted up and useful. This is very helpful information and I will be following your writing courses hubs. Thank you!
Great hub, Habee...
even if the comment is coming from one of the worst violators of the rules of English grammar -- me. LOL!
Habee, as you know, I need it and shall read every word of it.
I find it very helpful
Thanks
Lots of useful and simple advice in a very easy style to understand. It was a pleasure to read and learn a few new things at the same time. Great lesson and looking forward to reading more!
What a great idea Habee, teaching people the basics of writing. Many of us on HP would have learned these lessons at school but as with everything we tend to forget because our minds get overrun with other everyday stuff. Thanks for the reminders.
Thanks, I don't thinkit ever hurts to review this material. As amatter of fact, I am going back to take a college witing class this month- ust to refresh. This is very helpful.
Absolutely wonderful lesson!
Thanks for reminding us of this, habee. One can so easily get stuck in a style that has much room for improvement. Because English is not my mother tongue, I often struggle with a lack of vocabulary and I don’t always know when to use what word in a specific sentence/contrast. There are also many English words that are spelled differently in South Africa, like favourite, develop, travelling.... I should do a hub about this. When you get the time, please go have a peep at my hub “My favorite hubbers’.
habee~ I hope you continue with this series. I will link this Hub to my homeschool blog for a wider audience. Thanks for your great Hub.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to share...very useful, indeed! :)
Awesome idea Habee! Book marked and voted up!
YOu are just great... and correct in saying style is something that is hard to teach...but you can teach the basic, and those learning from you will or can develop their style on their own consciously or unconsciously.. thanks for this my on line teacher hihihi
Thank you oh wise one for bringing back the 'basics'. We tend to forget these things!
Thanks for a lesson! I am your student from now on.
Awesome hub, Habee! I really enjoyed reading your great writing tips. I would love to take a class under you, you make the subject simple, yet interesting. Writing is my passion, and I can tell it's yours too. Keep up the good work!
Way to use that English degree ! You made the subject simple to understand. You should be the Sec of Education for making the subject so easy for others. I hope many high schoolers see this bcz it is very much needed. I had to rate this awesome just for its easy flow and readability. I hope many people see how easy using 'connotation' really is !
Great hub!
Connotation is indeed important--but one must be careful, as well, for within connotation lurks the dreaded double entendre!
Often used as s deliberate device for purposes of humor, it can also crop up unintentionally--for example, your "crooked man..." can also imply (connote) a person who lacks integrity or is dishonest in some way. ;-)
Thanks for your no-nonsense approach to writing.
It's so important to learn the basics. Like anything else, good writing takes practice and helpful guidance always helps.
Simple and easy to understand, I look forward to reading more.
Thanks.
Very useful. Thank you.
The former Poet Laureate, John Betjeman thought Eng Lit killed poetry in England. He could be a terrible snob, though.
Good advice. Verbs and nouns underpin all good writing, and a well-chosen verb is the difference between delightful and dull. I'm glad you hit on this, and you made it very approachable. I'm also glad you warned about overuse of adjectives. The need for an adjective or adverb is often a sign that the wrong verb or noun has been used.
Good lesson. I like it that you made one or two points and provided examples. Too often I'm given too much information at once. One step at a time is all I can handle!
Thanks for your lesson, just what I needed.
Habee, you are my English online teacher. As you know I live in Indonesia. English isn't my major language. So, I still learn and learn. You gave us good English course. I hope this useful to improve my skill in writing. Thank you very much. You are the best. Vote up as usual.
Prasetio
You used pure common sense, sorry, unadulterated everyday understanding. Cheers a great easy to follow guide.
A very nice presentation of skills we often forget how to use. I lost a lot of style when most of my writing was for corporate purposes, and sometimes I still feel as if I'm trying to get it back. This information is so important as well, because nothing is worse than trying to read dull, boring, uninteresting writing. Thanks!
Mike
WoW! This is a great article. I am new to hub pages, but I will definitely take your article to heart and put into practice the use of connotation verbs in my articles. This information will help many writers liven-up their stories.
I am sure mine need it.
Teresa
Good writing skills tips.. Thanks for sharing, it's very useful..
Wow !Great hub, I liked it.
Habee, you are a good teacher. You write something that we often ignore. Great!
A solid presentation of basic skills needed by all. I like the fudge analogy, it is so true! Some writers get carried away with peppering their work with colorful words.
Great writing examples. I love writing and I really enjoy the power of words. As writers we have to always strive to develop the out gift.
I loved your lessons!
I believe that a good suggestion for all authors is to read literary works. In literature an author cares about writing very well, in a very beautiful way. We can learn many things about writing well in literature and implement this style even when we write informational texts.
I noticed than whenever I add a philosophical and poetic thought in my scientific articles they always have many page views.
Nice post habee. Great for learners. But what would people do who are perfect in grammar and poor in vocabulary?
Very nice hub here. I regularly find it necessary for me to review proper grammar and writing skills. Besides, I'm sure most people can use a little refresher every once in a while. I found the examples provided very helpful. Thanks Habee!
Class is in session, and I am in attenance :) Great Hub Habee, useful and awesome!
Very useful. Thanks :)
This article is very useful. As we can all see, there are a lot of articles in the internet which for me not that very well written. There are just simple guidelines on how to write a good article and if just followed, the internet world may not be polluted by useless articles. Nice hub!
Good information. In fact, it makes me want to check the verbs I'm using see if I can use some that would work better.
Thanks for sharing Habee. The lesson was simple yet very informative. This will surely help me improve my writings.
thanks for this articale
by. the way :
I have a question I think a lot,
What are the main ways of learning English well
educational indeed!!!
Thank you very much! I book marked and now following. I need all the help I can get! I dont know anything about writing. Im just an ordinary auto technician that enjoys writing alot. I want to learn! Thank you again!
Thankyou very much. This was very helpful. Will be following
good work, thanks
I think it is a good ideato improve your writing skills no matter what age you are you are never too old to learn! Good job whoever thought of this idea, everyone in the world should take advantage of this opportunity.
Very good and interesting hub.
hmmmm... such an interesting woman... you're good....
and cute... i admire you.
I enjoy playing with words. Good info and enjoyable read. Thanks.
So simply explained the word game.An interesting read always have a good selection of words.
Very helpful! Thanks for sharing! =)
Perfect timing! I am so glad I read your hub when I did!
Glad I found this! I usually use Ehow but I found this far more helpful. I'm starting to expand on my writing-I usually write poetry but this has definitely been an article i found very useful! Thank you!
Solid article. Well written...but of course right!? Haha. Your a great teacher!
Great hub.your hub is very creative, solid and interesting.I liked your hub.Your hub is knowledgeable and unique than the other hubs.Keep it up.
What you are doing is great!
The crooked old man that trudged down the rutted road was Micky Dee.
Hello there, I am so very glad that I found your inspiring, interesting hubs. I shall be following you keenly now as they were so useful and easy to read. I shall now revisit my verse with scrutiny !!!!! a new fan x
Habee, You are terrific and so versatile! Great useful Hub! Wonderful refresher course on improving writng skills! You are a most splendid teacher... You have such a plethora of delightful hubs!
I hope all is well with you and yours take care! Thank you for sharing, In HIS Love, Peace & Blessings!
Voted up. Great advise! One of the best ways to expand your vocabulary is to read books and see how 'real' writers use words to convey ideas. Some people like the 'word a day' approach where you learn a new word everyday. You certainly have presented some simple, yet fine example to show how we can improve our writing.
Superb use of the English language, Habee! You have truly leapt through the gargantuan pile of useless language and phrases to provide useful tips and hints! Thumbs up! Your suggestions do keep a reader wanting more! Thank you! I am sending this to my nephew whose main vocabulary consist of, "wats up" ;-)
English Comp and writing are a prerequisite for anything one does in life.
This is really nice of you that you took time to share your experience.Perhaps, I need this kind of hubs more than anyone else.I will be looking forward to your next writing skill development hubs. Thanks habee :)
I enjoyed this lesson just as much the second time. Hope all is well with you. It's unusual to have you away from your computer so long.
It is very interesting. I love to learn more about your hub.
We need more Hubs like this one - thanks! I know I can always use more information on becoming a better writer and communicator. I feel that we are losing our language to those who never use, or mis-use it. thanks for the tips!
thank you this is what we all need to remind our minds
I wish i had this great lesson, especially on connotations, when i first started hubbing.
Even at that, it's still relevant to me now, as my aim is to improve my writing skills as much as i posibbly can.
Thanks for this lesson Habee. Bookmarked, because i may need to read it again and again.
Cheers.
Jackie, I'm glad you're teaching kids about rich words. Carry on!
Susie, you are too kind!
Thanks, Anglnwu. I'll be writing more about writing skills!
Pam, good to see you!
I appreciate that, Cluense!
Thanks for reading, Tim Tim!
Linda, I appreciate your comment!
Thanks, Rob. It's nice to hear from a pro!
Nah, drbj - I think comments are exempt! lol
Thanks, Phyllis! Glad you like my writing courses!
Chris, you berry, berry funny guy!
HH, I hope you find my writing courses useful!
Iamsam, thanks for stopping by!
Thanks, Rich!
MPG, I've forgotten a lot, too! lol
Good for you, GL!
Awww...thanks, Sheila!
I'll check it out, Martie!
That's great, Iris! Thanks!
Great hub keep up the good work
Useful, handy, nice!
A very insightful hub, Holle, and one that I think many hubbers will find valuable in their continued pursuit toward the ultimate piece. Myself included. :)
I can always use some tips from a gifted language arts professional.... Great help. I hope your feeling better soon, My daughter is getting over Broncitis and man is it nasty, she's been in and out of the hospital twice for breathing treatments. It's hard to shake. My thoughts and prayers are with you that you'll soon be back to yourself. Peace :)
So if I come over and do all the odd jobs, including feeding the chickens, dogs and assorted critters (including your husband), will you teach me to write? That is besides feeding me those steaks and allowing me to use the pool? :-))))
Sandy, you are welcome!
Thanks a bunch, Jane!
Maria, you are so sweet!
Buckie - wise one?? lol
ReuVera, nice to have you in class!
Anne, thanks for the encouragement!
Mel, I hope school kids find it!
Lol, Lizzy - too true!
I appreciate that, Scribe!
Jay and Bradfield, thanks for reading!
That's funny, Will!
Shady, thanks for stopping by!
Mulberry, I have the same problem!
New Life, you are very welcome!
Prasetio, I'm happy to have you in class. Lol!
Thanks, Attempted!
Mike, you are too kind, my friend!
Teresa, glad you found it helpful!
Sina, I'm glad you liked it!
Thanks, Nikitha!
I really miss teaching, Pierre!
Allan, the fudge analogy fits, huh?
2besure, good to see you here!
Christina, reading def makes you a better writer.
Maruthirp, try to learn a couple of new words a week, and use them whenever possible.
Many thanks, Lakeshow!
Wave, great to see you!
You're welcome, Trish!
Jeanie and D, thanks for reading and commenting!
Glad you liked it, Chin Chin!
Novelst, reading well written works will help, as will conversing with English speakers.
Thanks, Edmond!
JJ, I think that's wonderful!
Eculligan and Gamelover, I appreciate your comments!
Sarah and Anki, thanks for reading and leaving a comment!
ACD, you just made my day!!
P, I enjoy that, also!
Topstuff and Dj, thanks for stopping by!
Glad it helped, Eco!
Michelle, this can help with poetry, too!
Web and Art, I really appreciate your comments!
Thanks, Mr. Point!
Mickey - LOL!!
Thanks a bunch, Dotty!
Deb, you are just too sweet!
Right, Dolores - extensive reading is essential for good writing!
Mwatkins, like...I hope your nephew, like...sees the importance of, like...using, like...good language skills! lol
True, Jalus!
Andro, there will be more!
Sheila, my life is crazy right now!
Rash, thanks for reading!
Mkayo, I'm always learning, too!
Thanks for reading, Musa!
Viryabo, cheers back at ya!
Rmills and Vini, thanks for the encouraging words!
Thanks, Jim! Good to see ya, buddy!
Thanks, Katie. I need all the prayers I can get!
De Greek, you don't need any help!
habee - seeing as I never really learned the basics, this is really awesome. Thanks so much I am bookmarking. I question my writing often. Never quite sure when it comes to language and punctuation.
Sage
Everyone needs a good English review. Thanks.
Great little reminder! I've seen more than a few people on here who could use a refresher course ; )
Wow. We now have our teacher Habee (: Thanks for the first set of Grammar Lesson. Keep posting.
Habee, your information is fantastic! I will use the suggestions on my future hubs. Thanks!
Habee, I really needed to read this. I need to do some refresher course for myself when it comes to connotation and verbs. Superbly done, hub up.:)
This is wonderful. I am going to spend more time once again to read it. Hope it helps me to get good score in Hubpages :)
Thanks for sharing, really good. :)
Your thoughts is very helpful for us . Thanks
I really could have used this information as a tenth grader!! Eliene is brasilian, I will refer her to the site to review...
Ken@ EliKen
Very useful information. I am writing alot of essays right now, so I will keep checking your post.
Circle and replace every verb with another more interesting verb ... that's a interesting and fun exercise to improve a sentence.
This is great,Ma'am Habee! Teaches one to learn how to avoid errors in using out-of- context verbs and adjectives in a sentence.
Agree, content needs to flow - - include some descriptive words in there folks :)
As a fellow writing teacher, I couldn't agree more with your hub. Verbs, verbs, verbs!! The spark plugs of good writing!
I agree with you so, so much. A powerful verb is much more powerful than a dozen adverbs or adjectives!
Words are so powerful - especially when placed just so....
Great Hub habee and you have a couple of exercises in here I must try myself.
what a great wordsmith you are habee
but hey
you're southern
if we cant talk
we are not on this earth, eh? :) lol
love to you habee
Thank you very much for this great lesson. I am your student too now.
Thanks for these tips, I will use them in my writing. Always looking for tips.
Sage and Diane, I'm glad you enjoyed my hub on writing skills!
Funny, Lender!
Thanks, GG!
Treasures, glad you found it useful!
Many thanks, HPwriter!
I hope so, too, Myth!
Godlike and Giwrgos, I appreciate your comments!
Eliken, I hope high school students find this hub on writing skills!
Good deal, WG!
Thanks for reading, Ingenira!
Lita, so glad you liked my tips on writing!
Ambition, I soooo agree!
Steele, great to see another writing teacher here!
You got that right, Mysterylady!
Duchess, always good to see you here!
Barb, your comment is funny but soooooo true!
Bbud, welcome to writing class!
Sue, thanks for stopping by!
Great and helpful hub to all writers old and new. I myself just write how I feel and think. I gave up on the correctness of it.
So will have to try and improve my ideas after this lesson. thanks habee.
Great to hear from you, Eileen!
I agree that some people need more help than others with adverbs and adjectives within their writing and reading skills. This site is very helpful as I love to learn more about writing, especially for teens.
What a great hub! hubee, this is what I need and thank you for sharing your knowledge. I voted up.
very useful; i just bookmarked a cheat sheet lmfao jk ;]
thanks for the info , very well written
An interesting and informative Hub, habee. thank you.
That's pretty useful habee :)
GREAT I WILL SHARE THIS, I AM SURE MANY CA GET GREAT USE FROM THIS HUB..THANKS FOR SHARING
Great and simple information. I like your examples as well, although, "crooked" can be interpreted several ways. I first thought you meant a dishonest, conniving old man :)
a very wise, good way to help writers. I tried such an article but i ended up bragging about my book! top marks.
Jesus, You are a star. Keep the flag rolling!
Useful and awesome. Well done Habee! Hopefully lots of folks who need this foundation will find it!!!
Ben
Very interesting. I have been working on a few hubs on writing skills and I love your format. It was straight to the point and not overpowering. Will continue to read and share with others. Dee
I loved your examples on word choices! I will definitely be keeping connotation on my mind as I write. Thank you!
Wow - look at your new avatar! I forgot... what are we talking about again? Oh yeah - verbs and adjectives! ;-)
I really love the lines you wrote, "Think of it as eating fudge. A little bit is wonderful, but too much can make you sick!".
It is really true.
Secondly, is this your picture? So cute.
Remarkable HUB and also went look forward how to your future update.
Thank you so much for creating such a HUB. Very useful information shared which we generally don't notice. It was great going through your HUB and the comments too.
great hub - thanks for sharing!
This is a very useful hub, one we could all come back to for that 'reminder' and great tips too .
=) thank you for sharing.
Thank you!, this hub is very useful for improving my english :)
This is really informative. Thanks a lot for giving an excellent hub.
Really admirable specially for me; my mother tongue is Spanish so, this is very helpful, Thank you and please keep doing it.
Hello, i found this hub useful and informative, thank you. I would also like to invite You to my own hub http://hubpages.com/hub/failhub its like failblog, just better :) Hope you publish a new hub soon!
Super great tips Habee! I have used a number of your tips with my EFL and ESL English language students in Thailand and South Korea!
Great hub! up
This hub really help me out on how to write a article or any other verbage.Thanks!!
Very informative
very useful to go back to basics thanks !
wow what a great hub! Thanks so much for this info:)
Great Hub good content
Nice tips! I like to keep my writing simple - i like to try and create images in peoples mind so that they can see what i can - thanks for that!
Hey Habee, thanks for sharing such great tips. One should always try to improve and I will always try to remember your teachings ;)
LOL @ stephhicks`comment :D
very informative hub. I learn lots of things from it.
Very useful and informative hub ! Would be back for more :)
Very informative hub on a very needed topic.
I, too, am a writing teacher and appreciate your sage advice. I also applaud the brevity of your article--you offer a quick, valuable lesson in style, without excess. Bravo.
Great tips from a teacher! Thanks habee:)
Excellent tips. I'm new to writing so this was definitely a beneficial read. Thanks for sharing! I can see this has helped a lot of people.
Can you explain why this hub is rated one hundred?
This an amazing hub...awesome
Sometimes people need to get back to the basics.
Thanks for sharing i really enjoyed this!
Teen, I'm so glad you found this article!
Neverletitgo, thanks for your kind words!
Nikii, LOL!
ur pages support to improve english.
Teaching is the best part which I have always loved in my life. Even writing articles for something is a great job if you are good at writing. Even I am thinking about it as it is one of the way to express yourself as well as medium to earn money too.
Thanks for the tips!
Very interesting and helpful i´m writting a book and i could use your tips!
Clearly, simply and helpfully put article. But those who don't - or won't - read BOOKS, will never develop an adequate vocabulary allowing them to use a more colorful and interesting voice.
Excellent hub....Bob
Habee, This is a great review of simple writing skills that I was taught in school. It is making me pay more attention again to my word choices. Thanks
very good tips and real world examples. This made me whirl in my chair with glee. (connotation :-))
Thanks so much for putting the time into doing this. Great course!
HI, This is a great hub. I have read the whole article and learnt few things on how to write effectively.
Great hub!
Very good information. This is also so important in effective resume writing. Younger generations don't pay as much attention to the art of writing and communication. Thanks for sharing.
That was a great read, I hated English in school and I never paid attention to nouns verbs etc,science,maths and girls were much more interesting. Recently I started to write some articles and webpages online and realized my writing abilities were non existent. I will use these skills from now on. thank you v much
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your hub especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work.
Thank you! Simple but very useful.
Nice job. I am a dietitian not a writer, so writing my own hub made me nervous, I used yours for a nice reference. Thanks again, and again...great job!
Thanks for this ... very helpful. We often get in a hurry and forget to slow down and be a bit more creative.
Beautifully explained in a simple format! At times we may tend to overdo adjectives. Thanks for reminding us to think of the connotation of words.
Thank you. I think it's wonderful and I will follow you for as long as to hub.
Informative Hub!!!!!
The hub is immeasurably informative and it is explicitly inclined towards impressive writing by the use of adjectives. This was aptly stated in the hub as adjectives add description to sentences. Thanks a lot for sharing such a wonderful peace of text. I await your future text in this regards with great curiosity. Keep on hubbing.
They always say to write as you speak. But I find it sometimes makes the reading a bit boring. Adding some colorful verbs and adjectives like you suggested here will definitely liven up the writing.
I would say that your free writing courses aren't just for high school students, they're for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills.
Good work!
Nice Hub, english is not my native language so I don’t have a wide knowledge of how to use it at all, but it helped me a LOT!
Many thanks
i love the rules and learnt from your teaching.
Thats a useful hub thanks dear :)
Very helpful for people who don't understand the components of written American/English. This is a great help to people learning English as a second language or young people who are learning new writing skills.
I am most likely the most grammatically incorrect writer of the English language.
This Hub is great I will definitely be reading your other Hubs as well.
Thnanks
You're very welcome, Sameerk!
John, thanks for reading!
Thanks, Spider Girl!
Heart Felt, I hope you're right!
Lol, Ironracer!
Can't blame you there, Jonathan!
Can't blame you there, Jonathan!
A star, Divine? lololol
Ben, I hope they do. Good to see you, buddy!
Thanks a bunch, Dee!
Song-bird, glad you liked my online writing classes!
HI, Steph! That was my daughter.
John, the girl in the pic is my daughter. Thanks!
Giwrgos, I just added another hub to my online writing classes series!
Transcriptionven, so glad you liked it!
Map, you are SO welcome!
Leptirela, thanks for stopping by!
Blue, hope it helps!
Goprisca, you're very welcome!
Zmejias, de nada! Hope you stay tuned for more online writing classes!
Mamatetis, I'll check it out!
World-traveler, you are "da bomb"!
Thanks for reading, Ed!
Barry, nice to see you!
Muktu, I appreciate your patronage!
Evsukov, glad you liked the hub!
Skewd, thanks a bunch!
Acoustic, that's just what an effective writer should do!
Funride, you are more than welcome!
Roy, glad you learned something about writing skills!
Thanks, Br3!
Passion, I just wrote another hub for my online writing classes!
Earn, thanks for reading!
Steele, I'm honored by your comment!
Tim-tim, how ya been, girlfriend?
Happydogs, I hope my online writing classes help a lot of folks - especially students!
Opinionduck, I guess because people like it?? I have nothing to do with the scoring of hubs.
Missknowitall - lol! That's what my hubby calls me!
Cindy, so good to see you here!
You're welcome, Stas!
Monsoor Jam, if you want more writing tips, visit my other online writing classes!
Flash, I loved teaching!
Netscam, thanks for reading!
You're welcome, Runway!
Dmian, good luck on your book!
Bob, I totally agree. I used to tell my students this all the time!
rmbso, good for you!
Ocbill, happy whirling! lol
Rox, thanks for reading!
JJ, thanks for attending class!
Erin, I appreaciate that!
Resume Genius, you're right about younger writers!
JListen, just think how much success you could have had with girls if you had used writing skills for composing poetry! lol
Shane, thanks for your kind words!
Xam, thank you very much!
Karen, we each have our strong points!
Randy, I think you're right - sometimes it's all about time.
Craan, You're very welcome, and thanks for reading!
Dbg, thanks for that vote of confidence!
Chandra, so glad that you like my online writing classes!
Oh, Piers, thanks for those kind words!
Goukiandy, glad it helped!
Nanret, thanks for reading!
Thanks a bunch, Omnaser!
Traveller, I hope students - especially ESOL students - find my online writing clases helpful!
Sorry, Sterling - you definitely AREN'T the most grammatically incorrect writer. Believe me!
Great tips! Thanks for all your help! Voted UP and following you now. Look forward to reading more!
Good tutorial,Thanks for sharing.
fantastic tips for new beginner in writing
like me i like it
good job!!!
Thanks for the great refresher!
Wow that was very useful, especially because English is not my first language.
thanks!
hey will you see me at the bottom here ? great article on writing.I write short stories myself and seriously need to do a few writing courses and open my writng to some constructive criticism. maybe I will just pop back here every now and gain
Hi i really like your post. Will have to read it one more time. Thanks
Great hub! Very helpful, thanks! :o)
Sounds like many of us are going back to the basics. Why did teachers believe that children could learn without the explicit instruction?
I think it needs to learn more vocabulary or to know other synonyms of the particular word for us to use it in the right way, am I right?
Thanks for sharing this. I have learned a lot from your online writing course... Your hubs on this topic are simple, concise and easy to understand. Have to read some more, so write more please about this. You're my teacher now here and not only me but also my daughter's. Bookmarked! ...I'm digesting what you shared here.
That's great :-) I'm trying my best to do so.
Great hub. I am a writer myself, thanks for the tips, I'll be using them.
That was a great read. Valuable information. Thanks
thank you for the reminder about action verbs and adjectives.
good hub.
Thank you, I found this hub very useful.
One of making writing less boring is through stocking up vocabularies. The more words you know, the more likely the writing will be better. I stumbled across a useful tool that can help here as visual dictionary. http://www.snappywords.com/
great lesson, thanks
I really enjoyed reading your lesson. I fell in love with the usage of connotative words, more ¨visual¨ verbs and different adjectives when I was taking a preparatory course to sit the CAE test in Brazil, but hadn't had a lesson on these since 2005, so I'm delighted to have found your hub! Cheers from Ireland.
You've given quite a few useful tips. I'll remember that with my letters and stories.
Nice lesson - I especially liked the tip about how to advise students on practical application: "take every other verb, and now try to increase the interest." Because it's so easy to go overboard, or not get it, how far to take the concept in practice.
Hope you enjoying the many fans and compliments for a basic writing lesson! Please keep 'em coming.
I have much to learn! Thanks for the very informative hub!
Welcome aboard, Turtle!
Best toys, thanks for reading!
Many thanks, John!
Nice of you to visit, Celebrity!
Charka, hope it helps!
dswan, I see you!! lol
Many thanks, Matherese!
Moki, glad you found it helpful!
Trimar, some teachers are better than others! lol
Pulse, welcome to class!
Cindy and Mass Inda, so glad you stopped by!
Dl, thanks for attending my online writing classes!
Agaglia, you're very welcome!
Palistus, I'm glad you did!
Adam, thanks for the tip!
Lauretta, I appreciate your comment!
Anaday, great timing, huh? lol
Good for you, Nat!
Thank you so much for the hub! As a writer I am always trying to improve my skills, and your information is very helpful.
Thank you for sharing such an informative hub. I'm glad to see it is helping so many people.
Excellent article!
"Think of it as eating fudge. A little bit is wonderful, but too much can make you sick!" Love it! Thank you for writing this insightful hub. I'm always wanting to improve my writing skills and find my voice. Looking forward to reading more of your stuff.
PS - I would be more than happy to accept some constructive criticism if you ever find the time to read some of my hubs.
Great Hub, habee. You are a good teacher with excellent suggestions all the way through. Really useful.
Erica, thanks SOOOOO much!
You're very welcome, Penny!
Hi Habee,
Awesome hub! Thanks for sharing your tips.
All the best!
Thank you very much, Alisha!
I am, too, Lex!
Thanks a bunch, Magick!
Bennett, I'll try to get around to that - I'm swamped right now. If I don't read some of your hubs soon, please send me an email reminder.
Wow! Thanks, Docmo!
You're welcome, Mavis! I've enjoyed writing my online writing courses!
nice hub!
thanks for giving us the tips. and now i think i can improve my writing skills
I love using adjectives when writing. It makes such a difference in the interest level.
MBL Jerseys Well ,so good
Your article will surely help beginners to develop an innovative style in their writing.
Glad you stopped by, Poker!
susannah, love your avatar!
MBL, thanks for reading!
Craig, I hope so - I'm still a teacher at heart!
Thanks, farooq!
Very useful...thanks
there are a lot of writing course for free on internet, the link above is so useful. thank you for writing this.
Thanks for the passion you have towards teaching. Unlike most teachers, most expecially the ones that thinks goverment are to get them paid and not the pupils. Thanks! Once again for the passion, and effort. i wish am one of those student you have thought, or may be one of your kid. Lol. God bless. Pls keep it burning.
Words are so powerful - especially when placed just so....
Great Hub habee and you have a couple of exercises in here I must try myself.
Great article. I learned a lot. Grammar is very important for the writer as well as content. Well done and informative.
I've learned something today:) thank you..
Great article that has really thought me a lot on how to improve my writing skills,thanks for sharing this great secret.
CD, thanks for visiting!
Super, thanks so much for the comment!
I really wish you were one of my teachers when I was learning grammar. Your explanations are so easy to understand. Great hub!
I am not a native English speaker so this is really helpful to me. Thanks! Rated up!
Great hub! It's nice to see that someone out there really is paying attention to the nuances of our language.
Very insightful and helpful hub cheers!
Dreatech, thanks for your kind words!
Thanks, Nicky. I love words!
A well written honest hub.Thank you!
The article is EXCELLENT, I enjoyed it immensely. Undoubtedly this will be of great help to the readers. English is not my mother tongue but I do love the language, it is so sweet and it is very true that right choice of words can make any sentence more colourful, powerful and interesting.
Very Best Wishes to you,
Kamalesh
VOTED 'UP' AND RATED 'AWESOME'
This is an excellent article. I learned so much. Thank you for sharing your wonderful writing knowledge. I will be following you and I will be looking forward to reading more of your work.
It is my great honor to have the chance to look throught the nice and informative
posts.Many thanks for sharing with us.Looking forward for more connotation piece from
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Informative and interesting article.I am thankful to you for helping me.
I was delighted to find your series of articles on writing, this is exactly what I need, thank you very much. I only wonder if using colorful sentences doesn't turn them into those with "wordiness" label?
Great! Thank you for sharing.
Awesome! Your article is very impressive. Thanks for the information.
A nice refresher on usage and intent marked this one as useful.
bayoulady Level 1 Commenter 17 months ago
I saw this in the feed and "leapt" in here!HA!
I loved teaching and using rich words, as we call them in second grade.It's challenging and helpful for stretching the old dendrites!
Today on my blog, I wrote about "the trees wore orange and gold ensembles" and "the dazzling white cotton atop the ginger colored stalks". Think I'm going go back and say "atop the cinnamon colored stalks.." and change "the trees wore" to "the trees had adorned themselves" yeah...I'm thataway!