Narrative and Descriptive Writing Techniques

Which of these is an example of repetition for effect?

• She wanted to go home. She wanted to forget this day. She wanted to pretend that she had never met him.

• I went to the store and the store was busy so I left the store and decided to come back later.

• This kept happening to me again and again.

• None of the above.

Is this a simile or a metaphor?

He was my rock, so strong and supportive.

• Simile

• Metaphor

Mary looked down at her brand new Nike Air Zoom Pegasus shoes hoping that she wouldn't get them dirty on the first day she wore them.

• Repetition for Effect

• Magic Three

• Hyphenated Modifier

• Name Brand

I thought back to my fifth birthday and remembered that it was the first time I met my best friend Tina. Twenty years later, we are still making memories.

• Show, don't tell

• Flashback

• Hyphenated Modifier

• Simile

The white, glistening snow started falling, covering up the faded black driveway that was cracked and worn down. It wasn't how I remembered it years ago.

• Show don't tell

• Repetition for effect

• Simile

• Suspense

What technique is shown below?

"What are you doing here?" John asked.

"I'm her to bring you home," his mother said lovingly.

• Magic 3

• Show don't tell

• Dialogue

• Metaphor

Which is an example of Magic 3?

A series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses is known as a tricolon in literary parlance. In intermediate classrooms, we call it the Magic of Three. Tricolons are easy to read, easy to say, and easy to remember.

• No, no, no!

• Martha spent time thinking about her past, imagining what life could have been like if things were different, and wondering whether she had made the right decision or not.

• Over the bump. Over the hill. Over the mountain. This would be easy.

• None of these show Magic 3.

Why is hyphenated modifier such an effective technique?

• It looks different on the page so a reader's attention is drawn to it immediately.

• It is a creative way to describe an every day noun.

• It many times adds humor.

• All of the above.

What writing technique is being shown below?

The tree's leaves danced in the sky as the wind began to pick up speed.

• Personification

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Hyperbole

Why is it important to use narrative/descriptive writing strategies?

• It is not important. They are a waste if time.

• They help to keep the reader engaged in your writing and are creative ways to describe important characters, settings, and events.

• They help to make the story flow from one idea to the next smoothly.