Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
An anecdote is a personal story or memory like "I remember one time when."Back to Top
Alliteration is the repetition of similar sounds at the beginning of words like "sustained similar simile."Back to Top
Personification is giving inhuman things human qualites like "The wind whistled an ancient tune."Back to Top
A simile is a comparison of two different things using like or as: "Her heart was like a stone."Back to Top
A snapshot is focusing in on one moment and elaborating on it: "It was 6 pmBack to Top
What is a sustained, similar simile?
A simile with the same theme throughout the piece of writing: "I walked in the rain tossed about like a small boat at sea. The trees flapped in the wind like sails." The theme is boats.Back to Top
A theme is the underlying message or idea behind a piece of writing: "There are many differences and a few similarities between 5th and 6th grade, but throughout both I was learning independence." The theme is independence.Back to Top
A hook is the first few sentences that draw the reader's attention into wanting to read more of your writing. It is full of Voice: "Ahhh," I cry. I'm falling into the dark cellar. "Help!" I yell, but no one hears me. Suddenly, I wake up! Thank goodness it has all been a terrible dream except that school starts today, and I am extremely nervous.Back to Top
Onomatopoeia is when words sound like what they mean: mumble, rumble, grumble, slither, bang, roar, jingle.Back to Top
Anecdote plus simile plus snapshot plus alliteration plus personification. Remember that you do not say, "My anecdote is..." or "My snapshot is...." Just write the story and elaborate with specific details on one main spot/idea/event/time.Back to Top
BAM is adding spice to your writing. You do not want to write a laundry list of things or events and people: such as "and then and then" or "so we did this" and "so we did that." You want to hook your reader in from the very first till the very last.Back to Top
BLING is adding sparkle or suspense to your writing. Again, you do not want to write a boring list of events or people. You want to grab your reader's attention and dazzle them with your colors, adjectives, and verbs. See the Vocabulary icon for suggestions.Back to Top
Why play with a tennis racquet?
The tennis racquet symbolizes that you have to make a point in every paragraph especially when writing an expository essay. Once again, you do not want to just list things and not explain with specific details to support your opinions.Back to Top
A metaphor is a comparison of two very different things without using "like" or "as." For example, the boat was a cradle rocking on the sea.Back to Top
A symbol is a thing, person, or place that stands for something greater than itself. For example, the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and liberty.Back to Top