Painting Pictures with Words: Writing Without Adjectives
Using our handout, "Adjectives to Describe a Character," choose one adjective to illustrate a person's character in a short piece of writing. Do not use that adjective in your writing or comment. In fact, you may not use ANY adjectives; instead, use dialogue, description of setting, description of actions.
Length: 50 to 75 words
Bring a copy to class next Wednesday. Happy Easter!
21 comments:
“What a rip off!” This guy was mistaking her for an idiot.
“May I have an itemized list of the services you performed on my car?
“ Mam, we assure you we have taken care of your concerns and a few things that may cause you problems later on.”
“A list please!”
“ Mam, we have nothing prepared”
“When you have something I will come back to discuss it . And don’t call me Mam!”
Word count - 75 -
-Picky (about food):
As she sat down to eat dinner, she was looking for an excuse to not eat dinner because on a dinner table was all greasy foods and as she was about to put down her chopsticks, her mother put a sunny side up egg especially for her. As always, after she’s eaten her dinner, she was looking for a skimmed milk.
-64 words.
A boy stood alone in the corner. The cold wind brushed against his soft hair. The darkness of the clouds covered his fragile face. A stream of sweat ran down his neck. He didn’t bother to move. Instead, the boy stared ahead. In the distance, a bus slowly moved across the horizon. He glanced around, no one is in sight. The boy took a deep breath, and reached for his pocket.
She looked across the room and there he was, staring at her. She was unsure of what his deal was. His face had no emotion but she could tell he was conscious and not zoned out. Many questions triggered her mind about what he was up to, but she preferred them to remain unanswered.
- 54 Words
Nobody said a word. They only listened. It was a quarter to two and their shadows were moving alongside them now. It looked like rain. They passed another group of people who were cheering them unstoppably. No one of them could even think about the finish line. They had six more hours of hills and slopes on their way to win.
– 61 words
Mr. Roger, my neighbor, put the receipt on the top of a pile of the receipts and started engine after fuel charging. He picked me up to go shopping. When he checked out from the supermarket, he raised his near-sighted glasses and stared at the receipt, examining item by item. After we arrived at his parking-lot, he locked his car with his remote key. He opened the front door and pressed his car remoter. After he heard the beep from his door, he entered and closed the door.
(88 words)
He stopped not a second to soon, palms moist, hands trembling, heart rate rapid and vision blurred with tears. The car in front of him speed through the red traffic light. He wondered, I hope there is a camera, I hope it got that fella! The light turns green, he presses the gas petal with the lightest touch and the car jolts forward and then adjusts to the old man's fear. He promises himself this will be his last time I drive.
-82 Words
The man was the only one on the road. Even his dog that had accompanied him last ten years left him. Staying on the middle of the road, the man hung his head of color of ash in sorrow. The tears gathered in his eyes. Who soothed them? Sighed and lowered his shoulders, the man dragged himself away to somewhere where he could find comfort and rest.
-67 words
The breakfast. The son asked, “Daddy, our class is going to Science World, give me ten bucks for lunch.”
“Don’t bother me! Take a mom’s sandwich.”
The wife request, “Darling, our dishwasher has been broken for two months. You have to buy a new one!”
“Don’t talk drivel! Do dishes by your hands. We are out of money because of my Porsche.”
– 62 words
She has a coffee from a very cheap store, and she talks about herself as a person who never had junk food .she points to her new bag (she ordered it online from a fake brand name website)while she raises her left eyebrow up and said,” I prefer brand name bags, shirts, shoes. I do not like inexpensive dresses. Even I eat good food not cheap.” Her friend shakes her head and said:”It is obvious.”
She was standing up on the bus and suddenly she felt a push behind her.
She looked back and saw a man wearing sunglasses.
Minutes later she got a seat and found out that her purse was open.
“Where is my wallet?” she asked.
She remembered the guy and went straight to him “Give me back my wallet,” she said.
“I don’t have it?” he answered.
She forced him to open his backpack and found it.
- 76 Words.
There was no more time left concerning the time spending in the way to daycare. He felt anxious. "Come on," he urged , helping his son of 4-year-old put on the shirt, jean and the shoes quickly, "Go out, and tell me is it cold or not?" The kid slipped out, "Not cold, Dad, it is just ok." He trotted out stuffing a jacket of his son into the backpack. "Just in case." he muttered.
--74 words
(Sneaky)
He knows how to do it no matter how difficult the case may look. If there is a trick needed to shortcut the way for accomplishing that what he wants, he wont fall short. If they stop him one way or other, he never gives up, and always tries to reach the same goal by different other approaches. In short, if it is at all possible, he knows how to accomplish it, no matter by what trick.
To a girl, the road seemed endless. Somehow She couldn’t hear her own footsteps, but she could hear other sounds coming from the darkness. “It’s just the whisper of the leaves blowing in the wind.” She told herself. Without rhyme, she accelerated her pace. As long as she kept up the pace, she held her breath and could hear the sound of footsteps. She cried and ran as fast as she could. - 72 words
"Mama is dinner ready?" my son asked me as my eyes were glued to the television.
It is Game 7 of NHL Playoffs; everyone is nervous and excited at home.
"Go, go, go....." my children cheered.
"Yes!" they yelled when we got the first score.
It is now third quarter; the thrill increases.
"Oh! Gosh!" and "Oh no!", we all exclaimed when Chicago got scored.
Finally, Canucks won! All of us are embracing and yelling.
-77 words
A girl at work place said, Hello “Is anyone here who can do this work for me?” I need somebody who can pick-up this stuff. Our manager told me last night that this task should be done by tomorrow. Wait! Where are you going? I want to go for my break now you can go later. Is there any questions? Thank you.
----62 words
“You said “anything”?”
“Whatever you wish!”
“Would you betray your friend?”
“I would for your love!”
“If I betray you?”
“I’ll forgive!”
“What if I order you to kill?”
“I’ll kill!”
“What if I tell you “Die!”?”
“I’ll die!”
“Goodbye!”
“But why?”
“I will never give my love to a slave.”
- 51 words
Hey, look at you! Didn’t you see me with your beautiful eyes, lady?
Do I know you, from where? But your face look like the guy I met in the plane to Chine.
Oh yes! This is Canada, Julia Robert, the queen of young generations. So soon, you have forgotten about me dear?
There you go, Ben…….!! Is this you? Sorry my dear, you know it is summer time I could not see you well with my sun glasses.
-79 words
I live in a house. We have lived there for a year and two months. We get along with our neighbors. Sometimes I babysit for them. My brother mows their lawns. My dog uses the bathroom in their lawns. We always argue about who will walk him. Everyone with the exception of my mom thinks we need a fence around our house, for then we would never have to walk him.
-71 words
Burn all the bridges behind
Mom: I don’t think that you will be able to go to law school. It’s for people who have rich parents.
Justin: I will burn all the bridges behind me (while reading think and grow rich)
Mom: O stop reading that guy- Napoleon Hill. Not everyone can have the same kind of life, and please stop talking about Law school
Justin: I’m going to UBC to talk to a career advisor.
73 words
He stared at her and she watched the sweat drip down his cheek.
He tried to open his mouth and nothing came out just the sound of a fire breathing dragon.
she turned to him and said " are you OK?"
He quickly dashed towards the door. She ran after him and kissed him!
word count - 53 words
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