A Writer’s Bag of Tricks

What makes a good writer?

This question may lead to many different responses, but one thing that is certain is that all good writers know how to manipulate words. As you become familiar with the writing techniques in your bag of tricks, you will grow into a more sophisticated and creative writer. Make sure to put this handout in your language arts binder. Over the course of the school year, you will refer to it often. By June, you will naturally be adding these to your writing.

Introductory Bag of Trick Items:

  1. Definition: Begin your piece with a definition for clarity and/or attention. Be sure to give credit to a dictionary if you use a definition from one.

According to Webster’s Dictionary courage means…

  1. Question: Begin with a question that makes the reader think or wonder. The question will lead the reader to the place you want him or her to be. It may make him or her curious as to where the paper is heading.

What is the most courageous thing anyone has ever done?????

  1. Flashback: A flashback is a scene with or without dialogue that interrupts the present action to describe an event that took place in the past. Obviously, the flashback must have some connection to the piece that you are writing.
  1. The Hook: This is a bold or strong statement that plays on the curiosity of the reader and makes him/her want to continue reading.

I should have known that Mrs. Schwartz hated kids…

  1. Scene Setting: Set the scene for the book using creative and vivid word choices.

It was a dark and stormy night. The lights flickered once…twice… and then all went dark. Across the room, shadows dance furiously as the moonlight shone through the window.

  1. Character Throwing: Begin the story abruptly, immediately introducing a character with little of no warning. This catches the reader’s attention.

Later, be sure that you come back to this character. Obviously, the character should be important to the story.

Teddy Holland was the ugliest, skinniest kid in all of Caseville.

  1. A well-known Quote: Use a direct quote from a poet, politician, song, play, etc. as your beginning statement. Be sure to connect this statement to the rest of your piece.

As John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Concluding Bag of Trick Items:

Use any of these in your conclusion paragraph to wrap up your paper.

  1. The Circle: End where you began your piece. Use the same thesis statement, character analysis, scene setting to wrap up the piece.

And so it was on that late October night when the lights flickered once…twice… and then all went dark. Across the room, shadows dance furiously as the moonlight shone through the window.

  1. Add Dialogue or a Direct Quote: Be sure that this accurately summarizes the point that you are trying to make. You need to connect the quote to your piece.

As a famous economist states, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

  1. Discuss the Lesson-Learned: At the end of the piece review the moral of the story or the lesson-learned by the main characters.
  1. The Drawstring: Wraps up your whole piece; the resolution is very clearly stated.

…. And that’s how it happened.

  1. The Surprise Ending: End with a strange twist. This twist must somehow relate to the story. It shouldn’t be, then she woke up……
  1. Question: Leave the reader asking, questioning, or wondering.

What will happen to Suzy now?????