Onomatopoeia…

…Words used to imitate the sounds we hear.

6 +1 WRITING TRAITS: WORD CHOICE

Authors use onomatopoeia to help readers imagine through their SENSE of HEARING.

Which sentence helps you imagine more?

• The noise of the fire kept us awake.

• The crackling and popping of the fire kept us awake.

Write the sound

of a plate being dropped on the floor.

Smash! The plate split into pieces as it hit the floor.

Let’s make a

list of sound

words to use.Let’s make a

list of sound

words to use.

Write the sound

of somebody eating potato chips.

Crunch, crunch, crunch, the raccoon munched on

potato chips.

Revise this sentence.

train• Each morning we heard the train.

Each morning we heard the varoom,varoom,varoom from the speeding train.

How can using onomatopoeia help you to improve your writing?

• It helps the reader imagine what is happening in your story through their SENSE OF HEARING.

• It is more descriptive.

• It is more fun and interesting for others to read.

• Write a paragraph telling about a time you experienced a thunderstorm.

• Include at least two examples of onomatopoeia in your story.

BEGIN WITH A GRABBER

POSSIBLE TOPIC SENTENCES:

• Imagine the wildest thunderstorm ever!

• Have you ever had a blast in the rain?

• Zap - pow! Lightning darted across the

sky.

• Kaboom! Although I was tucked safely in bed, I fearfully listened to the terrifying thunder.