Writing Techniques

noun a word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it

adjective a word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it

article a word that is used with a noun to indicate the type of reference being made by the noun

• The adjective 'beautiful' is often used to describe the scenery in this area.
• I really like that adjective, 'cool', it's so versatile.
• She's always using the slang adjective 'lit' to describe things she likes.
• His use of the figurative adjective 'explosive' really painted a vivid picture in my mind.

noun a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

• She spoke eloquently, using an adverb in every sentence.
• He runs really fast, like, adverb fast.
• I totally aced that test, adverb style.
• Her smile lit up the room adverbially, shining brighter than the sun.

adjective causing laughter or providing entertainment; funny

• The amusing anecdote provided a light-hearted moment during the conference.
• The movie was so amusing, I couldn't stop laughing!
• That TikTok video was hella amusing!
• Her clever wit was an amusing dance of words.

noun the ability to speak fluently and coherently

verb to express oneself clearly and effectively in speech or writing

adjective having the ability to speak fluently and coherently

adverb articulately

• She was able to articulate her thoughts clearly during the presentation.
• He can really articulate his ideas well when he's talking to his friends.
• I couldn't believe how he articulated his argument in the debate.
• The artist was able to articulate the emotions of the painting through his use of color and brushstrokes.

noun the quality or state of being brief in duration or concise in expression

• The author's writing style is known for its brevity and succinctness.
• Can you summarize that in brevity for me?
• Keep it short and sweet, brevity is key.
• In the world of social media, brevity is the name of the game.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• Her command of language was evident in her eloquent speech at the conference.
• She's got a great command of language, always finding the right words to say.
• Dude, his command of language is off the charts!
• The author's command of language painted a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

adjective brief and to the point; succinct

• The professor's lecture was compendious, covering all key points in a concise manner.
• I appreciate how compendious your notes are, it makes studying much easier.
• I like reading those compendious articles that get straight to the point.
• Her compendious mind was like a well-organized library, with information neatly categorized and easily accessible.

adverb An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverbs. In this case, 'comprehensibly' is an adverb that describes how something is done in a comprehensible manner.

• The complex scientific theory was explained comprehensibly by the professor.
• The teacher broke down the math problem so we could understand it comprehensibly.
• The video tutorial made coding seem so easy, they explained it comprehensibly.
• Her emotions were so overwhelming that she couldn't speak comprehensibly.

noun a contrasting or opposing element, idea, or theme in a work of art, music, literature, etc.

verb to contrast with or be in opposition to something

• The composer used a beautiful counterpoint between the violin and cello in the concerto.
• The back-and-forth counterpoint between the two actors on stage was really entertaining.
• The counterpoint between the two rappers in the freestyle battle was fire.
• The contrasting colors in the painting created a visual counterpoint that drew the viewer's eye.

verb to bring something into existence; to make or produce something

• The artist used various techniques to create a masterpiece.
• I'll create a playlist for the road trip.
• Let's create some vibes at the party tonight.
• His words were able to create a sense of peace in the midst of chaos.

noun A sudden quick movement or action

verb To write or do something quickly and without much thought

• Before the meeting, he had to dash off a quick email to his colleagues.
• I need to dash off to the store before it closes.
• I'll just dash off a text to let them know we're running late.
• She had to dash off to her next appointment, leaving the party early.

noun a person who keeps a diary or journal

• The diarist meticulously recorded every detail of her daily life in her journal.
• My friend is a dedicated diarist and writes in her diary every night before bed.
• I'm not much of a diarist, but I do jot down important events in my phone notes.
• As a diarist of emotions, she poured her heart out onto the pages of her journal.

noun a quotation or inscription at the beginning of a book or chapter, usually suggesting its theme

• The epigraph at the beginning of the novel set the tone for the entire story.
• I love how the epigraph in that book gave a hint about what was to come.
• Did you see the epigraph in that new movie? It was so cool!
• The epigraph of life is often written in the moments of silence between chaos.

noun a section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a conclusion or commentary

• The epilogue of the novel tied up all the loose ends and provided closure to the story.
• Did you read the epilogue of the book? It explains what happened after the main story ended.
• I always skip the epilogue, it's usually just a bunch of boring stuff that doesn't matter.
• As I reached the epilogue of my life, I reflected on all the ups and downs that had brought me to this point.

noun a digressive or wandering movement or journey

adjective relating to or characterized by digression or wandering

• The excursive nature of the lecture allowed for a deep exploration of the topic.
• Her excursive storytelling kept us entertained for hours.
• I love going on excursive walks through the park with my dog.
• His excursive thoughts wandered through various possibilities before settling on a decision.

noun the action of making something known or explaining something

• The professor's exposition on the history of art was both informative and engaging.
• The teacher's explanation about the topic was really good.
• The dude's breakdown of the situation was on point.
• Her exposition of the problem shed light on the issue at hand.

noun A finishing touch or detail that completes or perfects something

• The artist carefully applied the final stroke to complete the masterpiece.
• He added the final stroke to his painting and stepped back to admire his work.
• She nailed the final stroke on her project, and it turned out amazing.
• The final stroke of luck came just in time to save the day.

noun a curved or angular piece of metal or other hard substance for catching, holding, or suspending something

verb to catch, hold, or pull with a hook

• The fisherman carefully attached the bait to the hook before casting his line.
• Make sure you hook up the TV before the game starts.
• I can't believe she got hooked on that new TV show.
• The catchy melody of the song is sure to hook listeners right away.

noun a brief written note or memorandum

verb present participle of jot, meaning to write or make a quick note

• She was diligently jotting down notes during the lecture.
• I saw him quickly jotting some ideas on a napkin at the coffee shop.
• I was just jotting down some lyrics for a new song.
• The artist was jotting down his emotions onto the canvas with each brushstroke.

noun a limit defining a specific area

verb to mark or cover with lines

• The architect carefully measured out the lines for the new building's foundation.
• Can you draw some straight lines on this paper for me?
• I'm gonna hit the books and memorize all the lines for the play.
• She always knows how to toe the line between professional and casual in her emails.

noun a particular way in which a piece of literature is written

adjective relating to the style or manner in which a piece of literature is written

• The author's literary style is characterized by intricate sentence structures and rich symbolism.
• I really dig the way this writer's literary style flows, it's so easy to get lost in the story.
• Yo, have you checked out that new book? The author's literary style is straight fire.
• Her literary style is like a beautiful tapestry, weaving together different elements to create a vivid picture for the reader.

noun a nonrestrictive clause or phrase

adjective describing a clause or phrase that provides additional information but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence

• The nonrestrictive clause in the contract allows for flexibility in the terms.
• The extra information in the sentence, which is nonrestrictive, provides more context.
• The clause that doesn't hold you back in the contract is the nonrestrictive one.
• Just like a nonrestrictive gate, the clause in the agreement allows for freedom of movement.

noun a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a new line, indentation, or numbering

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• The first paragraph of the report outlines the main objectives of the study.
• Make sure you read the first paragraph carefully, it summarizes everything.
• I skimmed through the first paragraph and got the gist of it.
• The opening paragraph of the novel painted a vivid picture of the setting.

noun a comment or explanation that is inserted into a text or conversation as a parenthesis

adjective relating to or inserted as a parenthesis

• The author included a parenthetical remark in the middle of the paragraph to provide additional information.
• I added a parenthetical note at the end of the email for clarification.
• She always sneaks in a parenthetical comment during our conversations.
• His words were like a parenthetical aside, adding depth to the conversation.

noun a word formed from a verb and used as an adjective, typically ending in -ing, -ed, -en, -t

• The participle 'running' is used to form the present continuous tense in English.
• I saw a sign with the word 'no smoking' and wondered if 'smoking' is a participle.
• I'm totally done with 'studying', that participle is driving me crazy.
• Her laughter, echoing through the empty halls, was a participle of joy in the somber atmosphere.

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

• The speech was peppered with references to historical events.
• The conversation was peppered with inside jokes.
• The movie was peppered with action-packed scenes.
• Her speech was peppered with sarcasm and wit.

adjective brief and full of meaning and substance; concise

adverb in a concise and meaningful manner

• The speaker's presentation was concise and pithy, leaving the audience with a clear understanding of the topic.
• I always appreciate your pithy comments during our meetings - straight to the point and no fluff.
• His pithy remarks always crack me up, he has a way with words that's just hilarious.
• The artist's pithy brush strokes captured the essence of the scene in a few simple strokes.

verb past tense of point, to direct or aim something in a specific direction

adjective having a sharp or tapering tip

• The professor pointed out the key concepts in the lecture.
• I pointed to the best restaurant in town for you to try.
• She pointed me in the direction of the coolest party in town.
• The evidence pointed towards the suspect's guilt.

noun a concise summary or abstract of a text or speech

• The precis of the research paper highlighted the key findings and conclusions.
• Can you give me a precis of the book you just read?
• I need a quick precis of what happened at the party last night.
• His precis of the situation was like a roadmap to understanding the complexities at play.

noun A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules

• The precisian meticulously examined every detail of the contract before signing it.
• Don't be such a precisian about grammar, just enjoy the story.
• The precisian is always nitpicking about the smallest things.
• She was a precisian when it came to organizing her thoughts before speaking.

noun a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• The preposition 'in' is used to indicate location or position within a space.
• I don't really understand when to use prepositions in English sentences.
• I always mess up my prepositions when I'm texting quickly.
• In the game of chess, the preposition of the pieces on the board determines the strategy.

adjective describing or relating to a preposition or prepositional phrase

• The prepositional phrase in the sentence provides additional information about the subject.
• I'm not sure what to do with this prepositional phrase at the end of the sentence.
• I always get confused by those weird prepositional things in English class.
• The prepositional phrase acted as a bridge between the two clauses, connecting them seamlessly.

noun the action of repeating something that has already been said or written

• The professor's reiteration of the main points helped reinforce the key concepts for the students.
• I lost count of how many times she said 'I told you so' - it was like a broken record reiteration.
• Stop with the constant reiteration, we get it already!
• Her actions were a reiteration of her commitment to the cause, showing her dedication through repetition.

verb to express in a different way, usually to clarify or simplify

• It is important to reword the legal document to ensure accuracy.
• Can you reword this paragraph for me so it's easier to understand?
• I need to reword this text to make it sound less boring.
• She had to reword her feelings in order to spare his feelings.

noun a new version of written material

verb to write again in a different or improved way

• The author was asked to rewrite the entire chapter to improve clarity.
• I had to rewrite my essay because I forgot to save it before closing the document.
• I had to redo the whole thing because I messed up the first time.
• Sometimes in life, we are given the opportunity to rewrite our own story and start fresh.

adjective excessively sweet or sentimental

• The saccharine taste of the dessert was too much for some guests.
• I can't handle how saccharine this soda is, it's too sweet!
• That movie was so saccharine, it made my teeth hurt.
• Her saccharine smile didn't quite reach her eyes, revealing her true feelings.

verb to deliver or compose a sermon; to speak in a moralizing or preachy manner

• The priest began to sermonize about the importance of forgiveness and compassion.
• My mom always sermonizes me about the benefits of eating vegetables.
• Stop sermonizing me, I already know what I need to do.
• The politician continued to sermonize about the need for change, but took no real action.

adjective having a slope or tilt; not level or straight

• The artist carefully adjusted the slanted lines in his drawing to create a sense of movement.
• I noticed the slanted roof of the house next door, it looks pretty cool.
• She gave me a slanted look when I asked her about the party.
• His slanted view of the situation made it difficult for him to see the truth.

noun a poem of fourteen lines using any of a number of formal rhyme schemes, in English typically having ten syllables per line

• The poet wrote a beautiful sonnet dedicated to his beloved.
• I love reading sonnets because they are so romantic.
• Check out this sick sonnet I just wrote for my crush!
• The sunset painted the sky in colors that could rival any sonnet.

noun a group of lines in a poem or song that form a unit

• The poet carefully crafted each stanza to convey a specific theme in his work.
• I really liked the third stanza of that song, it was so catchy!
• The last stanza of that poem was fire, it really spoke to me.
• Each stanza of the painting represented a different chapter in the artist's life.

noun the study and interpretation of texts in regard to their linguistic and tonal style

• The study of stylistics focuses on analyzing the linguistic choices made by writers to convey meaning and style.
• Studying stylistics helps you understand how authors use language to create different effects in their writing.
• Stylistics is all about how writers put words together to make their writing cool and interesting.
• Exploring stylistics is like uncovering the hidden artistry behind the words on a page.

noun a way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure

• The artist used a traditional painting technique to create a realistic portrait.
• I learned a new cooking technique from watching a video online.
• Check out this cool technique I picked up for fixing my car!
• She used a clever technique to navigate through the tricky situation.

noun a set of forms taken by a verb to indicate the time (and sometimes also the continuance or completeness) of the action in relation to the time of the utterance

• The atmosphere in the room became tense as the negotiations continued.
• I could feel the tension in the air as we waited for the results.
• Things got real tense between them after the argument.
• The tension between the two rival teams was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.

adjective lacking formal instruction or training; uneducated or inexperienced

• The untutored musician showed great potential despite never having formal training.
• She was an untutored artist who just painted for fun.
• He's totally untutored when it comes to cooking, but he's trying to learn.
• Her untutored approach to problem-solving often led to creative solutions.

verb to form letters, words, or symbols on a surface such as paper with a pen, pencil, or typewriter

• I need to write a detailed report on the company's financial performance.
• I have to write a quick email to confirm our meeting time.
• I gotta write up this assignment before the deadline.
• She knew she had to write the next chapter of her life with purpose and determination.

noun a genre of literature that blends elements of autobiography and fiction, often featuring a protagonist who closely resembles the author

• Autofiction is a literary genre that blends autobiography and fiction.
• I enjoy reading autofiction because it feels like a personal story with a touch of imagination.
• Have you checked out that new autofiction book? It's supposed to be really good.
• Her writing style is like autofiction, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

verb to summarize or condense something into a concise form, like the contents of a nutshell

• The report nutshelled the key findings of the study.
• Can you nutshell the plot of the movie for me?
• Just nutshell it for me, I don't have time for all the details.
• In a nutshelled version, she said she was leaving because she needed to find herself.

noun a journalistic term for the introductory section of a news story that summarizes the most important details

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• The lede of the article effectively summarized the main points of the research study.
• Did you read the lede of the news article? It gives a good overview of the story.
• I always skip the lede and go straight to the juicy details in the article.
• As the team captain, she knew she had to set the lede for the rest of the players to follow.

noun A figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected

adjective Describing a sentence or phrase that ends in an unexpected or humorous way

• The use of paraprosdokian in literature adds a unique twist to the narrative.
• I love how comedians use paraprosdokian to catch the audience off guard with unexpected endings.
• Paraprosdokian is like the ultimate plot twist in a joke.
• Life is full of paraprosdokian moments where things take an unexpected turn.

noun a punctuation mark (‽) that combines the functions of a question mark and an exclamation point, used to express a question in an excited or rhetorical manner

• The interrobang is a punctuation mark that combines a question mark and an exclamation point.
• I love using the interrobang in my text messages to show excitement and curiosity‽
• Did you see that photo of the interrobang tattoo on social media? It's wild!
• The interrobang in her eyes showed a mix of surprise and disbelief.

verb Adding to is a verb phrase consisting of the verb 'adding' and the preposition 'to', indicating the action of including something to increase or enhance.

preposition The preposition 'to' in the phrase 'adding to' shows the direction or destination of the action of adding.

• The new research findings are adding to our understanding of the topic.
• She keeps adding to her collection of vintage records.
• I'm just adding to the chaos by being here.
• His constant complaints are just adding to the negativity in the office.

noun A word that describes a person, place, thing, or idea.

verb A word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun.

adverb A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

preposition A word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

conjunction A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.

interjection A word or phrase that expresses emotion or exclamation.

article A word that specifies a noun as definite or indefinite.

• The adject form of the word 'happy' is 'happiness'.
• She used an adject to describe the painting as 'beautiful'.
• I can't think of a good adject to describe this situation.
• His adject choice painted a vivid picture in my mind.

adjective a word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it

• The adjectival form of the noun 'strength' is 'strong.'
• I couldn't remember the adjectival form of that word for the quiz.
• She used a really cool adjectival phrase to describe the movie.
• His adjectival skills were on point when describing the sunset.

noun a form of improvisation where a performer delivers a speech or performance without preparation

verb to improvise or deliver a speech or performance without preparation

adjective describing something that is improvised or done without preparation

adverb in an improvised or spontaneous manner

• The actor had to ad-lib a few lines when he forgot his script during the play.
• I had to ad-lib a speech at the last minute because I didn't have time to prepare.
• The comedian was so good at ad-libbing, he had the audience in stitches all night.
• She had to ad-lib her way through the difficult situation, thinking on her feet to come up with a solution.

adverb A word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In this case, 'adroitly' is an adverb that describes how an action is performed with skill or dexterity.

• The surgeon adroitly performed the delicate procedure with precision.
• She adroitly maneuvered through the crowded room without bumping into anyone.
• He adroitly aced the test without even studying.
• The politician adroitly navigated the tricky situation, coming out unscathed.

verb to convert or modify a word into an adverb form

adjective describing the act of converting a word into an adverb form

• The verb was adverbialized to emphasize the manner in which the action was performed.
• She adverbialized the sentence to make it sound more interesting.
• I adverbialized the phrase to really drive my point home.
• His speech was adverbialized with passion and conviction.

adverb A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb.

• The adverbially intensive sentence structure added clarity to the scientific paper.
• She adverbially described how the concert went last night.
• He talks so adverbially, it's hard to keep up with what he's saying.
• The artist painted adverbially, adding layers of meaning to the masterpiece.