Post by Admin on Nov 15, 2013 13:06:15 GMT
Exercise #1
Constraints: Absolutely NO instances of the verb "To Be." This includes contractions. No "am, is, was, are" etc. No "I'm, He's, It's, You're" etc. No "Would be, shall be" etc.
Form: Poetry no longer than fourteen lines.
Purpose: To help you recognize the use of the passive voice in your writing. This particular exercise intends to make you aware of how often the verb "To Be" creeps into your writing. "To Be," as well as the verb "To Have," allows action to become passive and lose some of its impact. Examples:
I was running down the street
vs
I ran down the street
or
The moon was shining brightly over the town
vs
The bright moon shone over the town
or
The child was bitten by the dog
vs
The dog bit the child
This doesn't mean that "To Be" doesn't have its place. "I'm in love with you" has a distinctly different meaning than "I love you." Yet the tendency of writers to unconsciously include this verb pervades our writing. Awareness of word choice only makes for a more solid writing style.
The Exercise: Write a poem no less than ten lines in length, and no more than fourteen lines in length without using any form of the verb "To Be." We also advise you avoid the verb "To Have" as well in order to garner the most from this exercise. Incorporate 4 of the following words as shown--no variations of form, person, or tense allowed--into your poem:
| Shocked | Thought | Different | Go |
| Burning | Eloquent | Change | Vain |
| Dire | Plant | Love | Heart |
| Grow | Bloom | Blossom | Given |
The Results: Your attempt at this exercise will be marked up in-thread, in Red, in order to show potential improvements in regards to the exercise itself. This does not construe a judgement of your writing talent or style, it merely evaluates compliance with the exercise.
**Note** Many writers attempting this excercise show a tendency to use the passive form of the verb "To Have" as an escape. As a corrollary to the "To Be" exercise, all instances of "To Have" will be marked in Blue as well.
Complete this exercise and you will gain this Award for your profile:
