Words and Phrases for different writing scenarios

Below are lists that my P6 students and I have compiled together. Pls bear in mind these lists are not complete. They are just the beginning…

A happy scenario

a) Introduction

• The sun shone brilliantly and the water in the pond glittered invitingly.
• The sunset was glorious, all rosy and salmon-pink

b) Describing People

• Puffy cheeks/ broad muscular shoulders/ cute button nose/ soft and sweet voice/ with lovely curls/ long, soft and silky hair/ bright, sparkling eyes

c) Describing happiness

• Her heart was filled with overflowing joy.
• She felt surrounded by angels of joy.
• Her eyes twinkled with happiness.
• She was in high spirits.

d) Idioms

• On cloud nine
• Smack one’s lips
• Over the moon
• Have a whale of a time
• Lend a helping hand
• Greet someone with open arms

e) Proverbs

• A friend in need is a friend indeed
• Every cloud has a silver lining
• Make hay while the sun shines
• Many hands make light work

f) Similes

• As happy as a lark
• As joyful as a fly
• As faithful as a dog
• As gentle as a dove
• As graceful as a swan
• As sharp as a razor
• As bright as a button
• As brilliant as stars

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A sad scenario

a) Introduction

The morning was cold and wet with a brisk wind sweeping the rain across the land

b) Describing sadness/pain in dialogue

• Sobbed
• Moaned
• Lamented
• An expression of acute agony on his face

c) Describing people

• Pale-looking
• Sunken cheeks
• Tremulous voice
• Unkempt hair
• Bloodshot eyes
• Dull, expressionless eyes
• Puffy eyes

d) Idioms

• Be on the rocks
• No laughing matter
• Down in the mouth
• Have the blues
• Get cold feet
• Lose heart
• Bury the hatchet
• Could never see eye to eye

e) Proverbs

• Beggars can’t be choosers
• Its no use crying over spilt milk
• Time and tide wait for no man

f) Similes

• As sad as night
• As mournful as the grave
• As timid as a rabbit
• As calm as death

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An Exciting scenario

a) Introduction

• The morning was cold and wet with a brisk wind sweeping the rain across the land
• Black, ominious clouds covered the sky and released a sudden shower

b) Describing excitement/ panic

• Screams and loud cries pierced the air
• Everybody was fleeing franctically
• Horrible screams filled the air
• The scene was chaotic
• The wails of the fire engines could be heard

c) Describing dialogue and exciting phrases

• Stuttered
• Gasped
• Raved
• Shrieked
• A wild shriek of rage
• A fearful peal of thunder
• I was paralysed with fear
• His eyes revolved in terror
• She felt a shiver go down her spine
• See red
• Hit the ceiling
• At the eleventh hour
• Keep a cool head
• Smelt a rat
• At each other’s throats

d) Describing people

• Full of pockmarks
• Bulbous nose
• A screeching voice
• Eyes as red as burning coals

e) Proverbs

• Alls well that ends well
• Out of the frying pan and into the fire

f) Similes

• As angry as a wasp
• As fierce as a lion
• As stubborn as a mule
• As dark as midnight