How to Use Action Verbs
In many kinds of writing, especially non-fiction, writers are trained to use action verbs to keep text engaging. There is a style or set of styles that readers seem to prefer. Even though today's print media seems to be withering away, it still pays to be attentive about ways that action verbs make your writing "competitive" as opposed to bloated or pedantic. Read on to learn more.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Know where a verb belongs. It's amazing how many writers mangle sentence structure. The verb belongs to a noun and should go in proper lexical English in correlation to that noun. One great example by the master Stephen King: "Plums deify."
-
2
Learn about passive and active voice. University professors (and high school teachers) are passionate about getting students away from passive voice to promote clarity and action in writing. For example, the passive, "The students were allowed to move" is unwieldy and lacks an identified subject. "The teacher let the students move" is active voice, and usually preferable.
-
-
3
Keep sentences short. Keeping sentences short will absolutely help keep verbs active.
-
4
Find action verbs you like. Smashed, soared, battled, dove, or shattered all work well.
-
5
Look at news writing and short article writing as stellar examples of active verb pitching. Actually, the practice of using active verbs is sometimes hidden as editors attempt to sterilize the language that will appear in print. Still, once in awhile you'll come across a paragraph where the action flies off of the page.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Don't go overboard, sometimes a denser style of writing is called for. Use your judgment when trying to spice up a story and know what degree of action is adequate.
