Download Brushstrokes

#13 Brushstrokes
Image Grammar –
Using Brushstrokes
Adapted from Harry Noden’s Image Grammar
Intro
Write a sentence about
the cat on the first line in
your notes.
Brushstrokes
(You do not need to copy this down…)
Just as visual artists learn different techniques with paints
and brushes, writers need to employ different brushstrokes
in their writing.
Brushstrokes help a writer’s words and phrases become
descriptive and detailed
Brushstrokes in writing link to grammatical structures:
words, phrases, clauses and syntax (word order)
We will learn 5 brushstrokes:
1.
Participles
2.
Absolutes
3.
Appositives
4.
Adjectives out of Order
5.
Action Verbs
Building Blocks
Noun – person, place, thing, or idea
Verb – conveys action, occurrence,
or state of being
Adjective – describes, identifies, or
further identifies a noun
A complete sentence (independent
clause) must include a subject
(noun) and a predicate (verb).
Ex. Sam runs.
Copy down Chart…
Brushstroke
Participles
(and phrases)
Absolutes
Appositives
(and phrases)
Adjectives Out of
Order
Action Verbs
Definition
Examples
How to take notes
1. Fill in the chart with definition and
your own original example.
2. After you are finished with the
presentation, write a 3-5 sentence
paragraph summary of what you
learned.
Brushstroke #1
Painting with Participles
Participle Definition
A Participle is an “-ing” or “-ed” verb tagged on to
the beginning or ending of a sentence (sometimes just
after the noun).
Example:
Base Sentence: The diamond-scaled snakes attacked
their prey.
Painting with Participles: Hissing, slithering, and
coiling, the diamond-scaled snakes attacked their prey.
Participial Phrase
Definition
A participial phrase: a participle along with
modifier (more detail).
Example:
Base Sentence: Hissing and coiling, the diamondscale snakes attacked their prey.
Painting with participial phrases: Hissing their
forked red tongues and coiling their cold bodies, the
diamond–scale snakes attacked their prey.
Participle Practice
Write one
sentence using
at least one
participle or
one participial
phrase about
the clown.
Brushstroke #2
Painting with Absolutes
Absolute Definition
A two word combination that is a noun + participle (“ing”
or “ed” verb) OR noun + participial phrase added onto
a sentence. Absolutes help add to the action of an
image.
Example:
Base Sentence: The cat attacked the dog.
Painting with Absolutes: Claws digging, feet kicking,
the cat attacked the dog.
Absolute Practice
Write a
sentence about
the USA hockey
team using one
absolute.
Brushstroke #3:
Painting with Appositives
Appositive Definition
An appositive is a noun that adds a second detail/image
to a preceding noun. It is set off with commas (note:
commas plural!).
Examples:
Base Sentence: The raccoon enjoys eating turtle eggs.
Painting with Appositives: The raccoon, a scavenger,
enjoys eating turtle eggs.
Appositive Phrase
Definition
Appositive phrase: an
appositive with added detail.
Examples:
Base sentence: The raccoon, a
midnight scavenger, enjoys
eating turtle eggs.
Painting with appositive
phrases: The raccoon, a
midnight scavenger who roams
lake shorelines in search of
food, enjoys eating turtle eggs.
Appositive Practice
Write one
sentence using
an appositive or
an appositive
phrase about
the homeless
woman.
Brushstroke #4:
Adjectives Out of Order
Adjectives out of
Order Definition
Adjectives out of order amplify the details of an image;
they create a spotlight and intensify the image by
creating a different rhythm; usually used in fiction.
Examples:
Original Sentence: The large, red-eyed angry moose
charged the intruder.
Painting with Adjectives Out of Order: The large
moose, red-eyed and angry, charged the intruder.
Adjectives out of order
Practice
Write a
sentence about
the carousel
using adjectives
out of order
Brushstroke #5:
Action Verbs
action Verbs
Definition
This is the process of eliminating the “passive voice” and verbs
of being and replacing them with more active verbs.
Examples:
Original Sentences:
The runaway horse was ridden into town by an old, whitewhiskered rancher.
The grocery store was robbed by two armed men.
Painting with Action Verbs:
The old, white-whiskered rancher rode the runaway horse into
town.
Two armed men robbed the grocery store.
Action Verb Practice
Write one
sentence
using an
action
about the
Mission
Impossible
Scene.
Wrap up
Rewrite your sentence
about the cat in your
notes using as many
brushstrokes as
possible!
So……. Why do writers paint with words?
Readers want a vivid picture. An amateur tells a
story, but a professional shows it.
Traits of Showing:
Considers using all the five senses
Includes specific details
Uses vivid verbs, adjectives, and adverbs
Uses comparisons such as similes
3-5 Sentence Summary
Something that is becoming
clear about writing with
brushstrokes is…