Brushstrokes
Absolutes: noun + -ing verb that describes the main noun in the sentence
Example:
 Engine smoking, gears grinding, the car chugged into the parking lot.
 Feathers rustling, the duck glided effortlessly across the scum sodden pond.
 Feet moving, Becky danced the night away with Roger.
Appositive: a noun (bold and underlined in examples) or noun phrase (bold) that
follows a similar noun
Example:
 The fish, a slimy mass of flesh, felt the alligator’s giant teeth sink into his scales as he
struggled to get away.
 The dog, a ferocious beast, chased the orange cat down the street.
 My mom, a compassionate person, helped the older lady walk across the road.
Participles: phrase that includes a participle, -ing or –ed verb, that modifies the
main noun
Example:
 Flying through the air on the wings of a dream, the Olympic long jumper thrust the
weight of his whole body forward.
 Swinging with all his might, the batter knocked the ball out of the park.
 Forgetting about her shoes, she got up to dance with her uncle.
Three Short Participles Added: three –ing or –ed verbs used as modifiers
before or after the main noun
Example:
 Clunking, screeching, and sputtering, the car chugged into the parking lot.
 Gleaming, mooing, and kicking, the cow jumped over the moon.
 Running, dunking, and sweating, the AMS player scored a basket.
Adjectives Out-of-Order: placing adjectives somewhere other than before the
noun
Example:
 The cheetah, tired and hungry, stared at the gazelle, which would soon become his
dinner.
 The shark, blood thirsty and full of rage, swam vigorously in the direction of the
swimmer.
Active Verbs/Adverbs: use strong action verbs/adverbs whenever possible
Example:
 The car chugged loudly into the parking lot.
 The couple danced elegantly across the floor.