Brushstroke #2 Absolutes and Absolute Phrases

Open Ended

How can using absolute brush strokes change the way a reader experiences a scene in writing?

Multiple Choice

Why might writers use absolute brush strokes in their writing?

• To add vivid detail and imagery

• To confuse the reader

• To make sentences longer without purpose

• To avoid using participles

Multiple Select

Select all the sentences that contain an absolute phrase.

• The volcano erupted violently, molten lava ravaging the mountainside, smoke clouds smothering the wildlife.

• The scuba diver froze, not knowing what to do.

• The volcano erupted.

• The diver swam quickly.

Fill in the Blanks

Add an absolute phrase to the following sentence: The scuba diver froze,

.

Multiple Choice

What effect do the absolutes 'A shark circling, oxygen running out' have on the sentence about the scuba diver?

• They add vivid detail and tension to the sentence.

• They make the sentence longer without adding meaning.

• They change the subject of the sentence.

• They make the sentence confusing.

Open Ended

How might you use the absolute brush stroke technique to make your own writing more vivid or descriptive?

Multiple Choice

What is an absolute brush stroke in writing?

• A combination of a noun followed by a participle

• A sentence with only verbs

• A phrase with only adjectives

• A type of punctuation mark