RENNS
When writing, try to avoid general sentences. Use details that will help the reader understand what you meant. Remember RENNS! Give Reasons, Examples, Names, and Numbers and use the five Senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to let the reader feel like they are really there!
Reasons (Why?)
General: There were no parking spaces.
Specific: Due to the increase in business, there were not enough parking spaces for all of the cars.
Examples (What?)
General: This packet of Writing Resources is helpful.
Specific: This packet of Writing Resources will help me remember all the things I need to use in my
writing to make it my best!
Names (Who?)
General: The governor passed a law so less students can afford college.
Specific: The governor of Minnesota, Anne Carlson, passed a law that decreased the amount of
money available to middle-income college students.
Numbers (How Many?)
General: Even though the students were absent, they still played the game.
Specific: Even though half the class was absent, we still managed to play the game.
Senses
Sight
General: After we saw the movie, we understood why war is bad.
Specific: After we saw the enormous mushroom cloud from a nuclear bomb, we understood why
war is devastating.
Sound
General: The music was very loud at the rock concert last night.
Specific: My ears are ringing today because the music was so loud at the rock concert last night.
Smell
General: Many stores are using good smells to make customers happy while shopping.
Specific: By using floral perfumes and outdoor scents, many stores are trying to make their
customers feel like they are in a natural setting.
Taste
General: In town, there was a festival with Japanese foods.
Specific: In town, there was a festival with hot, spicy, Japanese foods.
Touch
General: Braille is used so blind people can read.
Specific: Braille is a series of raised dots that blind people can feel so they can read.