Sensory Language
"Which sense is being described in the phrase: 'The scent of freshly baked bread filled the air'?"
Smell
"What is a comparison using 'like' or 'as' called?"
Simile
"Replace 'walked' with a stronger verb in this sentence: 'He walked across the room.'"
"He strode/stomped/crept across the room."
"Rewrite this sentence to show instead of telling: 'He was scared.'"
"His hands trembled and his heart raced as he glanced over his shoulder."
"What adjective can be used instead of 'nice' to describe a warm breeze?
Gentle, soothing, or balmy.
"Describe the sound of rain hitting a window."
"The rain tapped softly against the glass."
"Create a simile to describe a dark forest."
"The forest was as dark as ink."
"What verb can replace 'said' to show someone is whispering?
Murmured, muttered, or whispered.
"Show that a room is messy instead of telling: 'The room was messy.'"
"Clothes were strewn across the floor, and half-eaten plates of food balanced precariously on every surface."
"Find an adjective to describe an old, dusty library."
Ancient, musty, or eerie.
"Create a sentence that uses the sense of touch to describe holding a cold object."
"The ice-cold glass sent a sharp chill through my fingertips."
"What literary device is used in this sentence: 'The flowers danced in the breeze'?"
Personification
"Replace 'looked' in this sentence: 'She looked at the painting with wonder.'"
"She gazed at the painting with wonder."
"Transform this sentence into showing: 'She was happy.'"
"A wide grin spread across her face as she skipped down the street."
"Give three vivid adjectives to describe a sparkling ocean."
Glittering, turquoise, endless
"List all five senses and give an example of a sentence for each sense."
Sight, smell, taste, touch, sound (students must create sentences for each).
"Create a metaphor to describe a bustling city street."
"The city street was a river of rushing people."
"Find a stronger verb for 'ate' to describe someone eating hungrily."
"Devoured/gobbled."
"Show that someone is exhausted without directly saying it."
"Dark circles framed his eyes, and his feet dragged with each step."
"Find an adjective to describe the smell of fresh-cut grass."
Crisp, earthy, refreshing.
"Describe a scene using at least three senses, set in a crowded train station.
"The pungent smell of sweat mixed with perfume lingered in the air as the sound of chattering passengers echoed, and the cold metal of the handrails felt harsh under my grip."
"What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor? Give an example of each."
A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as' (e.g., "She is as brave as a lion"), while a metaphor directly states one thing is another (e.g., "She is a lion in battle").
"Rewrite this sentence with stronger verbs: 'The dog ran quickly to the door and barked loudly.'"
"The dog sprinted to the door and howled."
"Turn this 'telling' sentence into a vivid description: 'The storm was intense.'"
"The wind howled ferociously, ripping through the trees as rain hammered down, turning the ground into a churning sea of mud."
"Use three vivid adjectives to describe a haunted house at night."
Gloomy, creaking, shadowy.