Lots of writers overuse the word very. It's very easy to do! This writers' site has some suggested ways of ways to avoid using very too much; it can be very annoying! http://writerswrite.co.za/45-ways-to-avoid-using-the-word-very
S3 have been doing presentations in class on a topic of their choice.
Things to keep in mind…
Pictures – use colour and pictures to help explain and give interest Relevance – make sure information is relevant to the topic Speech – speak clearly, try not to giggle or hesitate, practise beforehand Eye contact – keep eye contact with the audience, if nervous focus on one person Neatness – use same backgrounds, use rulers and plan using a pencil Timing – don’t rush, give time for audience to read, speak slowly Audience – think about who you’re presenting to before you start, use appropriate language Team work – work together, use each other’s strengths, each take a role Information – research carefully, pick what you want, don’t copy and paste Organisation – plan what you want to say and order it in a way that makes links and is logical Notes – have notes to guide you but don’t read from them
Power of three - using three words or phrases together Emotive language - words used to trigger feelings Rhetorical questions - questions that don’t need an answer Say again - repetition of key words or phrases Undermine opposing views - mud slinging! Anecdote - a short account of an entertaining related incident Direct address - instruction directed to the reader/audience Exaggeration - where something is made greater than it actually is
More ideas can be found using the following link to a set of persuasive technique flashcards - http://www.cram.com/flashcards/english-persuasive-techniques-2711224
Imagery Triggers - Funny wee pictures that represent key themes/symbols/motifs
Pictures of key characters - annotated with their qualities and relevant quotations
Cartoon sequences to help you to remember chains of events
Emotion graphs - how was a character feeling and when? Chart their anger throughout a scene, their fear throughout a chapter, or their spiral into despair throughout the whole text!