Shades of Meaning: Ways to Move

Action words have shades too. 'Walk', 'tiptoe', 'march', 'stomp', and 'stroll' are all ways to move on your feet, but each paints a different picture. You tiptoe when you are being quiet. You stomp when you are angry. You stroll when you are relaxed.

You march in a parade. Read: 'Sam stomped up the stairs. ' That one word tells you Sam is upset, without the author saying so. Authors choose exact action words to show how a character feels and moves. Picture each one in your mind.

• 1Action words can be close but different.
• 2Each one paints a different picture.
• 3Exact verbs can show feelings.