Reading and Writing Workshop: The Power of Verbs--Bringing Writing to Life
Goals:

1. Explore how verbs create movement, emotion, and depth in writing.
2. Analyze verb choices in classic public domain works.
3. Apply lessons through creative writing exercises.

Session 1: The Action of Verbs – Creating Motion in Writing
Reading Materials:

• "Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville – Powerful action verbs in descriptions of the sea and whaling.
  • Read on Project Gutenberg
• "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain – Vivid verbs that bring childhood mischief to life.
  • Read on Project Gutenberg

Writing Exercise:

• Rewrite a short passage from either text by changing all the verbs to create a different tone (e.g., turning an exciting scene into a calm one or vice versa).

Session 2: Strong Verbs in Poetry – Expressing Emotion & Imagery
Reading Materials:

• Emily Dickinson's Poems – Precise verbs that shape meaning and emotion.
  • Read on Project Gutenberg
• Walt Whitman’s "Leaves of Grass" – Verbs that create a rhythmic, flowing style.
  • Read on Project Gutenberg

Writing Exercise:

• Write a short poem where the verbs drive the imagery. Use strong, active verbs instead of adjectives.

Session 3: Character & Dialogue – How Verbs Define Personality
Reading Materials:

• "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen – Dialogue and narration where verbs subtly define character.
  • Read on Project Gutenberg
• "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson – Verbs shaping the transformation between characters.
  • Read on Project Gutenberg

Writing Exercise:

• Write a dialogue exchange between two characters with contrasting verb choices to show their personality differences.

Session 4: Verbs in Action Scenes & Suspense Writing
​Reading Materials:

• "A Study in Scarlet" by Arthur Conan Doyle – Sherlock Holmes' investigations full of sharp, precise verbs.
  • Read on Project Gutenberg
• "Dracula" by Bram Stoker – Verbs building suspense and horror.
  • Read on Project Gutenberg

Writing Exercise:

• Rewrite a suspenseful or action-packed scene with an emphasis on strong, active verbs.

Final Project: Verbs in Our Own Stories

• Choose a short piece you've written and revise it focusing on verb strength.
• Share before-and-after versions with the group.

Wrap-Up Discussion:

• How do verbs shape tone, mood, and pacing?
• What can we learn from classic authors about verb choices?
• How will you apply these lessons in future writing?

This workshop provides hands-on exploration of verbs through public domain literature, creative exercises, and thoughtful revision.