Painting with Five Basic Brushstrokes

In the way that a painter combines different brush strokes to create an image, a writer must combine different sentence structures. The five basic brushstrokes, helpful to student writers, are the participle, absolute, appositive, adjectives shifted out of order, and action verbs. The use of participles and absolutes to paint an image evokes action in ones' writing. The use of appositives expands details in the reader's imagination. Adjectives shifted out of order amplify the details of an image. Painting with action verbs allows the writer to energize action images.

By implementing these varying sentence structures into my writing, I will be able to capture my audience through descriptive language and better include them in the story. For example, the phrase "Emma went looking for her missing wallet," lists an event, but doesn't give you description beyond that, leaving the reader possibly bored or disconnected from the story. After adding a few participles, you achieve a lot more in your writing, "Emma, worried and confused, went looking for her missing wallet." The added participles give the reader a better understanding of the situation and how the characters might be feeling or acting. 

The same can be said for absolutes. The sentence "Emma began her speech," gives you nothing other than the context of the situation. After adding absolutes "Heart racing, hands shaking, Emma began her speech," you portray a much better idea of what's truly happening, ultimately evoking more action in your writing. 

Appositives provide a base for expanding details in the reader's imagination. The sentence "Emma enjoys the outdoors," gives you nothing other than a basic fact about Emma. By saying, "Emma, an avid horseback rider and fisherman, enjoys the outdoors," you are going into detail about who Emma truly is as a character. 

Adjectives shifted out of order and action verbs provide the same purpose, they turn a basic sentence into something of excitement or description, capturing a reader's attention. When you are able to combine all five basic brushstrokes, it will truly bring your writing to another level, providing a better reading experience for your audience.