Activity 1: Vivid Verb Discovery
Instructions:
- Review the Verb List: Below, you will find a list of 15 common verbs. These verbs are used frequently in writing but often lack specificity and vibrancy.
- Your Mission: For each common verb listed, brainstorm and write down 5 vivid verbs that could replace it. Think about how each vivid verb offers a unique image or emotion.
- Be Creative: There’s no single correct answer. Use your imagination to explore different scenarios where a more specific verb would enhance the sentence.
- Ask Akami for Help: If you’re stuck or need some inspiration, don’t hesitate to ask me, Akami, your friendly AI companion. Simply type in your request in the chat, and I’ll be here to suggest some vivid verbs!
Question 1
Let’s work on the verb:
MOVE
How would you describe someone moving stealthily in the night?
How does a joyful character move differently from a sad one?
Imagine an animal moving in its natural habitat; how does it move?
How would you describe the movement of a leaf falling from a tree?
In what ways do people move when they are in a hurry?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 2
Let’s work on the verb:
Talk
How might a king or queen talk compared to a pirate?
In what ways do people talk when they are sharing secrets?
How would a character talk when trying to convince someone of something?
Describe how someone might talk when they are very tired.
What are the ways a person might talk when they are extremely excited?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 3
Let’s work on the verb:
Touch
Imagine how a chef might touch ingredients; what verbs come to mind?
In what ways do children touch things when they are exploring?
How would you describe the way someone touches something they think is gross?
Describe the touch of someone calming a frightened animal.
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 4
Let’s work on the verb:
See
How does an artist see the world differently from a scientist?
In what ways does one see things on a sunny day versus a foggy morning?
How would a detective see a cluttered room compared to an ordinary person?
Describe how someone might see a loved one after a long separation.
What are the ways people see things when they are frightened?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 5
Let’s work on the verb:
Hear
How do sounds change when heard underwater?
Describe how a musician might hear sounds compared to someone who is tone-deaf.
In what ways does one hear a familiar voice in a crowd?
How would you describe the way one hears a scary noise at night?
What are the ways people hear things when they are expecting bad news?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 6
Let’s work on the verb:
Think
How does a genius think differently than an average person?
In what ways do leaders think when making tough decisions?
How would you describe the thoughts of someone in love?
Describe how an anxious person thinks about future events.
What are the ways people think when they are reminiscing about the past?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 7
Let’s work on the verb:
Start
How does a racecar start compared to an old, rusty truck?
In what ways does a seasoned performer start a show versus a nervous newcomer?
How would a great adventure or journey start?
Describe how the start of a day differs for a morning person versus a night owl.
What are the ways a difficult conversation starts?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 8
Let’s work on the verb:
Change
How does nature change with the seasons?
In what ways do people change when they learn something new?
How would you describe the change in someone who has found their purpose?
Describe how a caterpillar changes into a butterfly.
What are the ways a story changes as it progresses?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 9
Let’s work on the verb:
Break
How does glass break differently than how a wave breaks on the shore?
In what ways do dancers break into motion?
How would you describe the way someone’s heart breaks?
Describe how silence can be broken in the early hours of the morning.
What are the ways trust between people is broken?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 10
Let’s work on the verb:
Smile
How does a mischievous smile differ from a comforting one?
In what ways do people smile when they hear good news?
How would you describe a smile that hides sadness?
Describe the smile of someone seeing their friend after a long time.
What are the ways someone smiles when they are content?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 11
Let’s work on the verb:
Cry
How does a baby cry differently from an adult experiencing loss?
In what ways do people cry when they are overwhelmed by joy?
How would you describe silent tears versus loud sobbing?
Describe the way someone might cry in frustration.
What are the ways crying can indicate relief?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 12
Let’s work on the verb:
Write
How does an enthusiastic writer approach their craft differently than a reluctant one?
In what ways do poets write compared to novelists?
How would you describe someone writing a secret message?
Describe the process of someone writing a heartfelt apology.
What are the ways people write when they are in a hurry?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 13
Let’s work on the verb:
Play
How does a child play differently in a sandbox versus in a pool?
In what ways do musicians play differently depending on their mood?
How would you describe animals playing in the wild?
Describe how friends play a competitive game differently than strangers.
What are the ways people play when they are learning a new game?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 14
Let’s work on the verb:
Run
How does a sprinter run differently from a marathon runner?
In what ways do people run when they are scared versus when they are excited?
How would you describe someone running to catch a falling child?
Describe how an animal runs when it is chasing versus being chased.
What are the ways people run when they are late?
My Vivid Verb list:
Question 15
Let’s work on the verb:
Help
How does someone help in an emergency differently from how they help in a calm situation?
In what ways do teachers help students understand new concepts?
How would you describe the help given by a stranger versus a friend?
Describe how someone might help without being asked.
What are the ways people help when they are genuinely concerned versus when they feel obligated?