MARY ELLEN LEDBETTER, M.A., is a noted presenter and educational consultant specializing in boosting language arts skills in K–12 students. She has extensive teaching experience in public schools as well as at the college level. Her previous books include Ready-To-Use English Workshop Activities Writing Portfolio Activities Kit Something for Every Day, All About Me, and You Say—I Say.

• What Makes This Book Different vAbout the Author xvAcknowledgments xviiAction Verbs as a Method of Elaboration 1Adages 2Adjectives as a Method of Elaboration 3Adverbs as a Method of Elaboration: Practice # 1 4Adverbs as a Method of Elaboration: Practice # 2 6Allegory 7Alliteration 8Allusion 9Analogy 10Anecdote 11Antagonist 12Application and Synthesis 13Assessing Prompts: Determining Mode of Writing 14Assonance 15Autobiographical Collage 16Biography 17Brainstorming 18Brainstorming: Web 19Brainstorming: Web Subpoints 20Business Letter 21Character Sketch 23Characterization: Actions 24Characterization: Contrasting Actions 25Characterization: Appearance 26Characterization: Environment 27Characterization: Inner Thoughts and Feelings (First Person) 28Characterization: Inner Thoughts and Feelings (Third Person Omniscient) 29Characterization: Speech 30Characterization: What Others Say 31Clichés 32Climax 33Choppy Style 34Commas (Individualized Practice #1) 35Commas (Individualized Practice #2) 36Comparison/Contrast Essay (Introduction) 37Comparison/Contrast Essay (First Body: First Part of Contrast/Comparison of Actions) 38Comparison/Contrast Essay (First Body: Second Part of Contrast/Comparison of Actions) 39Comparison/Contrast (Second Body) 40Comparison/Contrast Essay (Third Body) 41Comparison/Contrast Essay (Conclusion) 42Conflict: External 43Conflict: Internal 44Connectives 46Connotation or Denotation 47Definition as a Method of Elaboration 49Definitions: Specialized 50Denouement 51Description as a Method of Elaboration 52Descriptive Essay (Introduction) 53Descriptive Essay (First Body) 54Descriptive Essay (Second Body) 55Descriptive Essay (Third Body) 56Descriptive Essay (Conclusion) 57Dialect 58Dialogue as a Method of Elaboration 59Editing for Grammar Mistakes 60Elaboration 61Elaboration: Examples and Explanation as a Method 62Elaboration: Researchable Fact as a Method 63Euphemisms 64Expanded Moment 65Expository Writing (Introduction) 66Expository Writing (First Body) 67Expository Writing (Second Body) 68Expository Writing (Third Body) 69Expository Writing (Conclusion) 70Extended Metaphor (Part #1) 71Extended Metaphor (Part #2) 72Famous Quotations Blending into Author’s Own Words 73Famous Quotations as Methods of Elaboration 74Famous Quotations (Top Ten) 75Fantasy 76Figurative Language Fill-Ins 78Flashback 79Foreshadowing 80Fragments 81Friendly Letter (Heading, Salutation, Introduction) 82Friendly Letter (Body, Part #1) 83Friendly Letter (Body, Part #2) 84Full-Circle Ending in Narratives and Quick Writes 85Full-Circle Ending in Free Verse Poems 86Hooks (Part #1) 88Hooks (Part #2) 89Hooks (Part #3) 90Hooks (Part #4) 91How-To Vignette 92How-To or Process Writing (Introduction) 93How-To or Process Writing (First Body) 94How-To or Process Writing (Second Body) 95How-To or Process Writing (Third Body) 96How-To or Process Writing (Conclusion) 97Humor 98Hyperbole 99Hyphenated Modifier 100Idioms 101Inference 102Irony of Situation 104Interview Questions (Get-Acquainted Exercise) 105Literary Analysis (Introduction) 106Literary Analysis (First Body) 107Literary Analysis (Second Body) 108Literary Analysis (Third Body) 109Literary Analysis (Conclusion) 110Magic Three as a Method of Elaboration and Voice 111Metaphor 112Metaphor Quick Write 113Mood (Part #1) 114Mood Prediction (Part #2) 115Motif 116Motivation 117Name 118Narrative (Setting, Characters, Conflict) 119Narrative (Furthering Conflict in Rising Action) 120Narrative (Introduction of Second Conflict and More Insight into Characters) 121Narrative (Characters’ Reaction to Conflict) 122Narrative (Introduction of Minor Character and Continued Conflict) 123Narrative (Climax and Falling Action) 125Onomatopoeia 127Open-Ended Questions 128Open-Ended Question (‘‘The Physicians of Trinidad’’) 129Paradox 130Pathetic Fallacy (Part #1) 131Pathetic Fallacy (Part #2) 132Peer Editing 133Personalizing Current Events: Turning Nonfiction into Fiction 134Personification 135Persuasive Writing (Introduction) 136Persuasive Writing (First Body) 137Persuasive Writing (Second Body) 138Persuasive Writing (Third Body) 139Persuasive Writing (Conclusion) 140Picture Prompt Writing 141Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Beginning) 142Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Details) 143Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Editing) 144Play-Doh Writing Game 145Poem Cut-Ups 147Poignancy 149Point of View: Omniscient 150Prediction (Part #1) 151Prediction (Part #2) 152Redundancy 153Repetition for Effect: One Trick for Voice (From Excerpt of Short Story) 154Repetition for Effect (Sentence Practice) 155Run-On Sentences 156Science Fiction (Setting and Characters) 157Science Fiction (Unfolding of Plot: Rising Action #2) 158Science Fiction (Establishing Conflict: Rising Action Introducing Conflict) 159Science Fiction (Establishing Connection Between Characters) 160Science Fiction (Plan Purposed: Plan of Action Revealed) 161Science Fiction (Rising Action Leading to Climax) 162Science Fiction (Climax and Falling Action) 163Sensory Images as a Method of Elaboration (Sight) 164Sensory Images (Sound) 165Sensory Images (Touch) 166Sensory Images (Taste) 167Sensory Images (Smell) 168Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Noun Absolutes) 169Sentence Variety: Noun Absolutes Practice 170Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Participial Phrase) 171Sentence Variety: Participial Phrase Practice 172Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Adverb Clause) 173Sentence Variety: Adverb Clause Practice 174Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Adjective Clause) 175Sentence Variety: Adjective Clause Practice 176Similes as Methods of Voice in a Paragraph 177Similes as Practice in Developing Voice 178Snapshot Poem 179Structure Rubric for One-Paragraph Essay 180Subjunctive Mood of Verbs 182Summary 183Symbol 184Thank-You Note 185Theme: Building Themes into Essays 186Themes: Works Built Around a Theme 187Transitions: More Sophisticated Methods (Persuasive Essay) 188Transitions: More Sophisticated Methods (Expository Essay) 189Verb Tense Shift 190Vocabulary: I Don’t Think So 191Vocabulary: Which Word? 192Vocabulary: What If? 193

MARY ELLEN LEDBETTER, M.A., is a noted presenter and educational consultant specializing in boosting language arts skills in K–12 students. She has extensive teaching experience in public schools as well as at the college level. Her previous books include Ready-To-Use English Workshop Activities Writing Portfolio Activities Kit Something for Every Day, All About Me, and You Say—I Say.

• What Makes This Book Different vAbout the Author xvAcknowledgments xviiAction Verbs as a Method of Elaboration 1Adages 2Adjectives as a Method of Elaboration 3Adverbs as a Method of Elaboration: Practice # 1 4Adverbs as a Method of Elaboration: Practice # 2 6Allegory 7Alliteration 8Allusion 9Analogy 10Anecdote 11Antagonist 12Application and Synthesis 13Assessing Prompts: Determining Mode of Writing 14Assonance 15Autobiographical Collage 16Biography 17Brainstorming 18Brainstorming: Web 19Brainstorming: Web Subpoints 20Business Letter 21Character Sketch 23Characterization: Actions 24Characterization: Contrasting Actions 25Characterization: Appearance 26Characterization: Environment 27Characterization: Inner Thoughts and Feelings (First Person) 28Characterization: Inner Thoughts and Feelings (Third Person Omniscient) 29Characterization: Speech 30Characterization: What Others Say 31Clichés 32Climax 33Choppy Style 34Commas (Individualized Practice #1) 35Commas (Individualized Practice #2) 36Comparison/Contrast Essay (Introduction) 37Comparison/Contrast Essay (First Body: First Part of Contrast/Comparison of Actions) 38Comparison/Contrast Essay (First Body: Second Part of Contrast/Comparison of Actions) 39Comparison/Contrast (Second Body) 40Comparison/Contrast Essay (Third Body) 41Comparison/Contrast Essay (Conclusion) 42Conflict: External 43Conflict: Internal 44Connectives 46Connotation or Denotation 47Definition as a Method of Elaboration 49Definitions: Specialized 50Denouement 51Description as a Method of Elaboration 52Descriptive Essay (Introduction) 53Descriptive Essay (First Body) 54Descriptive Essay (Second Body) 55Descriptive Essay (Third Body) 56Descriptive Essay (Conclusion) 57Dialect 58Dialogue as a Method of Elaboration 59Editing for Grammar Mistakes 60Elaboration 61Elaboration: Examples and Explanation as a Method 62Elaboration: Researchable Fact as a Method 63Euphemisms 64Expanded Moment 65Expository Writing (Introduction) 66Expository Writing (First Body) 67Expository Writing (Second Body) 68Expository Writing (Third Body) 69Expository Writing (Conclusion) 70Extended Metaphor (Part #1) 71Extended Metaphor (Part #2) 72Famous Quotations Blending into Author’s Own Words 73Famous Quotations as Methods of Elaboration 74Famous Quotations (Top Ten) 75Fantasy 76Figurative Language Fill-Ins 78Flashback 79Foreshadowing 80Fragments 81Friendly Letter (Heading, Salutation, Introduction) 82Friendly Letter (Body, Part #1) 83Friendly Letter (Body, Part #2) 84Full-Circle Ending in Narratives and Quick Writes 85Full-Circle Ending in Free Verse Poems 86Hooks (Part #1) 88Hooks (Part #2) 89Hooks (Part #3) 90Hooks (Part #4) 91How-To Vignette 92How-To or Process Writing (Introduction) 93How-To or Process Writing (First Body) 94How-To or Process Writing (Second Body) 95How-To or Process Writing (Third Body) 96How-To or Process Writing (Conclusion) 97Humor 98Hyperbole 99Hyphenated Modifier 100Idioms 101Inference 102Irony of Situation 104Interview Questions (Get-Acquainted Exercise) 105Literary Analysis (Introduction) 106Literary Analysis (First Body) 107Literary Analysis (Second Body) 108Literary Analysis (Third Body) 109Literary Analysis (Conclusion) 110Magic Three as a Method of Elaboration and Voice 111Metaphor 112Metaphor Quick Write 113Mood (Part #1) 114Mood Prediction (Part #2) 115Motif 116Motivation 117Name 118Narrative (Setting, Characters, Conflict) 119Narrative (Furthering Conflict in Rising Action) 120Narrative (Introduction of Second Conflict and More Insight into Characters) 121Narrative (Characters’ Reaction to Conflict) 122Narrative (Introduction of Minor Character and Continued Conflict) 123Narrative (Climax and Falling Action) 125Onomatopoeia 127Open-Ended Questions 128Open-Ended Question (‘‘The Physicians of Trinidad’’) 129Paradox 130Pathetic Fallacy (Part #1) 131Pathetic Fallacy (Part #2) 132Peer Editing 133Personalizing Current Events: Turning Nonfiction into Fiction 134Personification 135Persuasive Writing (Introduction) 136Persuasive Writing (First Body) 137Persuasive Writing (Second Body) 138Persuasive Writing (Third Body) 139Persuasive Writing (Conclusion) 140Picture Prompt Writing 141Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Beginning) 142Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Details) 143Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Editing) 144Play-Doh Writing Game 145Poem Cut-Ups 147Poignancy 149Point of View: Omniscient 150Prediction (Part #1) 151Prediction (Part #2) 152Redundancy 153Repetition for Effect: One Trick for Voice (From Excerpt of Short Story) 154Repetition for Effect (Sentence Practice) 155Run-On Sentences 156Science Fiction (Setting and Characters) 157Science Fiction (Unfolding of Plot: Rising Action #2) 158Science Fiction (Establishing Conflict: Rising Action Introducing Conflict) 159Science Fiction (Establishing Connection Between Characters) 160Science Fiction (Plan Purposed: Plan of Action Revealed) 161Science Fiction (Rising Action Leading to Climax) 162Science Fiction (Climax and Falling Action) 163Sensory Images as a Method of Elaboration (Sight) 164Sensory Images (Sound) 165Sensory Images (Touch) 166Sensory Images (Taste) 167Sensory Images (Smell) 168Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Noun Absolutes) 169Sentence Variety: Noun Absolutes Practice 170Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Participial Phrase) 171Sentence Variety: Participial Phrase Practice 172Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Adverb Clause) 173Sentence Variety: Adverb Clause Practice 174Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Adjective Clause) 175Sentence Variety: Adjective Clause Practice 176Similes as Methods of Voice in a Paragraph 177Similes as Practice in Developing Voice 178Snapshot Poem 179Structure Rubric for One-Paragraph Essay 180Subjunctive Mood of Verbs 182Summary 183Symbol 184Thank-You Note 185Theme: Building Themes into Essays 186Themes: Works Built Around a Theme 187Transitions: More Sophisticated Methods (Persuasive Essay) 188Transitions: More Sophisticated Methods (Expository Essay) 189Verb Tense Shift 190Vocabulary: I Don’t Think So 191Vocabulary: Which Word? 192Vocabulary: What If? 193

MARY ELLEN LEDBETTER, M.A., is a noted presenter and educational consultant specializing in boosting language arts skills in K–12 students. She has extensive teaching experience in public schools as well as at the college level. Her previous books include Ready-To-Use English Workshop Activities Writing Portfolio Activities Kit Something for Every Day, All About Me, and You Say—I Say.

• What Makes This Book Different vAbout the Author xvAcknowledgments xviiAction Verbs as a Method of Elaboration 1Adages 2Adjectives as a Method of Elaboration 3Adverbs as a Method of Elaboration: Practice # 1 4Adverbs as a Method of Elaboration: Practice # 2 6Allegory 7Alliteration 8Allusion 9Analogy 10Anecdote 11Antagonist 12Application and Synthesis 13Assessing Prompts: Determining Mode of Writing 14Assonance 15Autobiographical Collage 16Biography 17Brainstorming 18Brainstorming: Web 19Brainstorming: Web Subpoints 20Business Letter 21Character Sketch 23Characterization: Actions 24Characterization: Contrasting Actions 25Characterization: Appearance 26Characterization: Environment 27Characterization: Inner Thoughts and Feelings (First Person) 28Characterization: Inner Thoughts and Feelings (Third Person Omniscient) 29Characterization: Speech 30Characterization: What Others Say 31Clichés 32Climax 33Choppy Style 34Commas (Individualized Practice #1) 35Commas (Individualized Practice #2) 36Comparison/Contrast Essay (Introduction) 37Comparison/Contrast Essay (First Body: First Part of Contrast/Comparison of Actions) 38Comparison/Contrast Essay (First Body: Second Part of Contrast/Comparison of Actions) 39Comparison/Contrast (Second Body) 40Comparison/Contrast Essay (Third Body) 41Comparison/Contrast Essay (Conclusion) 42Conflict: External 43Conflict: Internal 44Connectives 46Connotation or Denotation 47Definition as a Method of Elaboration 49Definitions: Specialized 50Denouement 51Description as a Method of Elaboration 52Descriptive Essay (Introduction) 53Descriptive Essay (First Body) 54Descriptive Essay (Second Body) 55Descriptive Essay (Third Body) 56Descriptive Essay (Conclusion) 57Dialect 58Dialogue as a Method of Elaboration 59Editing for Grammar Mistakes 60Elaboration 61Elaboration: Examples and Explanation as a Method 62Elaboration: Researchable Fact as a Method 63Euphemisms 64Expanded Moment 65Expository Writing (Introduction) 66Expository Writing (First Body) 67Expository Writing (Second Body) 68Expository Writing (Third Body) 69Expository Writing (Conclusion) 70Extended Metaphor (Part #1) 71Extended Metaphor (Part #2) 72Famous Quotations Blending into Author’s Own Words 73Famous Quotations as Methods of Elaboration 74Famous Quotations (Top Ten) 75Fantasy 76Figurative Language Fill-Ins 78Flashback 79Foreshadowing 80Fragments 81Friendly Letter (Heading, Salutation, Introduction) 82Friendly Letter (Body, Part #1) 83Friendly Letter (Body, Part #2) 84Full-Circle Ending in Narratives and Quick Writes 85Full-Circle Ending in Free Verse Poems 86Hooks (Part #1) 88Hooks (Part #2) 89Hooks (Part #3) 90Hooks (Part #4) 91How-To Vignette 92How-To or Process Writing (Introduction) 93How-To or Process Writing (First Body) 94How-To or Process Writing (Second Body) 95How-To or Process Writing (Third Body) 96How-To or Process Writing (Conclusion) 97Humor 98Hyperbole 99Hyphenated Modifier 100Idioms 101Inference 102Irony of Situation 104Interview Questions (Get-Acquainted Exercise) 105Literary Analysis (Introduction) 106Literary Analysis (First Body) 107Literary Analysis (Second Body) 108Literary Analysis (Third Body) 109Literary Analysis (Conclusion) 110Magic Three as a Method of Elaboration and Voice 111Metaphor 112Metaphor Quick Write 113Mood (Part #1) 114Mood Prediction (Part #2) 115Motif 116Motivation 117Name 118Narrative (Setting, Characters, Conflict) 119Narrative (Furthering Conflict in Rising Action) 120Narrative (Introduction of Second Conflict and More Insight into Characters) 121Narrative (Characters’ Reaction to Conflict) 122Narrative (Introduction of Minor Character and Continued Conflict) 123Narrative (Climax and Falling Action) 125Onomatopoeia 127Open-Ended Questions 128Open-Ended Question (‘‘The Physicians of Trinidad’’) 129Paradox 130Pathetic Fallacy (Part #1) 131Pathetic Fallacy (Part #2) 132Peer Editing 133Personalizing Current Events: Turning Nonfiction into Fiction 134Personification 135Persuasive Writing (Introduction) 136Persuasive Writing (First Body) 137Persuasive Writing (Second Body) 138Persuasive Writing (Third Body) 139Persuasive Writing (Conclusion) 140Picture Prompt Writing 141Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Beginning) 142Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Details) 143Picture Prompt Rubric: Student-Interactive (Editing) 144Play-Doh Writing Game 145Poem Cut-Ups 147Poignancy 149Point of View: Omniscient 150Prediction (Part #1) 151Prediction (Part #2) 152Redundancy 153Repetition for Effect: One Trick for Voice (From Excerpt of Short Story) 154Repetition for Effect (Sentence Practice) 155Run-On Sentences 156Science Fiction (Setting and Characters) 157Science Fiction (Unfolding of Plot: Rising Action #2) 158Science Fiction (Establishing Conflict: Rising Action Introducing Conflict) 159Science Fiction (Establishing Connection Between Characters) 160Science Fiction (Plan Purposed: Plan of Action Revealed) 161Science Fiction (Rising Action Leading to Climax) 162Science Fiction (Climax and Falling Action) 163Sensory Images as a Method of Elaboration (Sight) 164Sensory Images (Sound) 165Sensory Images (Touch) 166Sensory Images (Taste) 167Sensory Images (Smell) 168Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Noun Absolutes) 169Sentence Variety: Noun Absolutes Practice 170Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Participial Phrase) 171Sentence Variety: Participial Phrase Practice 172Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Adverb Clause) 173Sentence Variety: Adverb Clause Practice 174Sentence Variety: Sentence Combining (Adjective Clause) 175Sentence Variety: Adjective Clause Practice 176Similes as Methods of Voice in a Paragraph 177Similes as Practice in Developing Voice 178Snapshot Poem 179Structure Rubric for One-Paragraph Essay 180Subjunctive Mood of Verbs 182Summary 183Symbol 184Thank-You Note 185Theme: Building Themes into Essays 186Themes: Works Built Around a Theme 187Transitions: More Sophisticated Methods (Persuasive Essay) 188Transitions: More Sophisticated Methods (Expository Essay) 189Verb Tense Shift 190Vocabulary: I Don’t Think So 191Vocabulary: Which Word? 192Vocabulary: What If? 193