Tony NewmanSenior English Language Fellow

U.S. Department of StateJinan University

EFL Writing: Discover Your Unique

Voice

Today, we will explore:

a. The overuse of clichés

b. 5 devices (tools) that encourage originality

c. Best Friend paragraph

Clichéd Writing

As we all know, my best friend is one in a

million. (ts)

If she fails in her goals, she says, “try your

best, and day by day, you will go higher and

higher”.

She realizes that every coin has two sides. (Illus.)

To make a long story short, I have always

tried to be like my best friend because

if you try your best and work hard you can

have a great best friend. In a word, just

do it! (Con.)

5 devices that

encourage originality

M

S

A

H

V

Visualization

Metaphor: After climbing Yellow Mountain for 6 hours, her legs were rubber.

a.Word/phrase applied to an object or action that

it does not literally represent (legs = rubber)

b.It is more direct than a simile

c.Uses the verb “to be”

Famous Metaphors

All the world’s a stage. William Shakespeare

Chaos (混乱 ) is a friend of mine. Bob Dylan

A hospital bed is a parked taxi with the meter running. Groucho Marx

Metaphor PracticeBe creative. Have fun!

The lake in my hometown is ___________________.

My classroom is ___________________________.

My high school was _________________________.

My best friend is ___________________________.

Simile: “My face looks like a wedding-cake left out in the rain.” – W.H. Auden

a.Figure of speech that expresses the similarity of one thing to another. (face = wedding cake)

b.A simile is less direct than a metaphor

c.Similes are introduced with: as or like

Famous Similes

A room without books is like a body without a soul (灵魂 ). Cicero

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. Albert Einstein

A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open. Frank Zappa

Simile PracticeBe creative. Have fun!

When she (name your subject) buys clothes, she is

like __ a starving wolf searching for prey.

Yao Ming is as tall as ________________________.

She (name your subject) is as quiet as

_____________.

My best friend sings like ______________________.

Alliteration: Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Repetition of a beginning consonant sound.

Alliteration PracticeBe creative. Have fun!

My best friend is /k/ caring, _____, and _____.

刘德华 is /h/ handsome, _____, and _____.

We walked for hours during the /h/ hot, _____,

and _____ day.

Yellow Mountain is /g/ gorgeous, ____ and

____ .

Hyperbole: I waited at the train station for an eternity.

A deliberate (on purpose) exaggeration used to increase the effect of a story.

Hyperbole PracticeBe creative. Have fun!

If I don't make the basketball team

___________.

I was so embarrassed I thought my

___________.

It was so cold __________________________.

It was so hot ___________________________.

The act of forming mental pictures before, during, and after you

write.

V: Visualization

Limei

My best friend Limei is famous for her bravery. (TS)

When she was eight years old, she was on a tiny boat that sank. With great struggle and spirit, her tiny arms and legs kicked for two hours to reach the shore. However, in order to reach the nearest town, she had to climb a steep and scary mountain. Like a brave Shaolin warrior, she climbed the mountain, and walked alone for ten miles to find help. (Illus.)

The story of Limei’s bravery is well-known to me and the 800 residents of our quiet, Henan village. (Con.)

Limei

M

S

A

H

V

Visualization

Your Best Friend paragraph

a. Visualize a story that describes a wonderful quality of your

best friend.

b. Draw a picture of your story.

c. Write your paragraph based on your picture. Try to use a few of the devices we have discussed today (MSAH).

“Best Friend” Paragraph Exchange

a. Can you find a place(s) where your partner could add a:

1. Metaphor

2. Simile

3. Alliteration

4. Hyperbole

What we have learned today!!

1.The Overuse of Clichés

2. 5 Devices for Originality:

MSAHV

3. Best Friend Paragraph

Tony NewmanSenior English Language Fellow

U.S. Department of StateJinan University

Thank You!