Super stories
The Sea Cave
Verbs and adverbs
Hi!
Welcome to Super Stories
Incorporated. I'm Dave Briggs,
the publishing director.
Welcome to Super Stories
Incorporated. I'm Dave Briggs,
the publishing director.
Have you been told your role here?
You're going to be my editor. Your
job is to read through some of the
new stories we want to publish and
make them more exciting.
You're going to be my editor. Your
job is to read through some of the
new stories we want to publish and
make them more exciting.
Some of our stories are a little … dull.
It's your task to make the text and illustrations in them more vivid and engaging.
It's your task to make the text and illustrations in them more vivid and engaging.
Here's one of our stories. It's a horror story that should be really gripping, but some parts of the story are a bit flat.
Read it and see what you think.
Read it and see what you think.
The
Sea
Cave
B a c k
Sea
Cave
Here's one of our stories. It's a horror story that should be really gripping, but some parts of the story are a bit flat.
Read it and see what you think.
Read it and see what you think.
Gasping for breath, Amy broke the surface of the freezing water and found herself in a vast cavern.
She was exhausted after being taken out to sea and had been trying to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
B a c k
Next
Back
She was exhausted after being taken out to sea and had been trying to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
Here's one of our stories. It's a horror story that should be really gripping, but some parts of the story are a bit flat.
Read it and see what you think.
Read it and see what you think.
In the dim light from the mouth of the cave, she could see the roof above her and the dark water lapping against the rocky walls. Huge dripping stalactites came from above.
Amy swam over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and got herself out of the icy water.
B a c k
Next
Back
Amy swam over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and got herself out of the icy water.
Here's one of our stories. It's a horror story that should be really gripping, but some parts of the story are a bit flat.
Read it and see what you think.
Read it and see what you think.
The surface of the water began to ripple. Astonished, Amy saw a murky shape come from the water's depths.
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes looking at her.
B a c k
Next
Back
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes looking at her.
Here's one of our stories. It's a horror story that should be really gripping, but some parts of the story are a bit flat.
Read it and see what you think.
Read it and see what you think.
For a moment, Amy sat mesmerised. Then, as she backed away from the water's edge, the extraordinary creature rose up out of the murkiness and moved towards her, its gaping jaws open to show rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Horrified, Amy turned and went into the deep darkness of the cave.
B a c k
Next
Back
Horrified, Amy turned and went into the deep darkness of the cave.
Here's one of our stories. It's a horror story that should be really gripping, but some parts of the story are a bit flat.
Read it and see what you think.
Read it and see what you think.
Falling over rocks and sharp stones, she went deeper into the terrifying cave. She saw a tiny light in the distance, which grew larger as she drew nearer.
Amy came into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
B a c k
D o n e
Amy came into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
As you can see, it's not bad. There's some good scary action, but the descriptions could be much better. Some of the verbs and adverbs need changing. That's where you come in.
Let's begin.
Let's begin.
Verbs are the words that tell what happens in a story and how people think and talk.
'Run' is a verb – so are 'jumped', 'scream' and 'saw'. We can choose verbs that tell our readers to think about the actions in a particular way, such as scared or very tense.
'Run' is a verb – so are 'jumped', 'scream' and 'saw'. We can choose verbs that tell our readers to think about the actions in a particular way, such as scared or very tense.
Here's an example.
Look at how the choice of verbs below changes how the reader thinks about who or what is involved in this scene. One choice is much more exciting than the other.
Look at how the choice of verbs below changes how the reader thinks about who or what is involved in this scene. One choice is much more exciting than the other.
′She rode down the hill.′
′She raced down the hill.′
B a c k
N e x t
Select a verb to edit it.
Gasping for breath, Amy broke the surface of the freezing water and found herself in a vast cavern.
She was exhausted after being out to sea and had been to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
Next
She was exhausted after being out to sea and had been to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
Select a verb to edit it.
In the dim light from the mouth of the cave, she could see the roof above her and the dark water lapping against the rocky walls. Huge dripping stalactites
from above.
Amy over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and herself out of the icy water.
Next
Amy over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and herself out of the icy water.
Select a verb to edit it.
The surface of the water began to ripple. Astonished, Amy saw a murky shape from the water's depths.
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes at her.
Next
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes at her.
Select a verb to edit it.
For a moment, Amy sat mesmerised. Then, as she backed away from the water's edge, the extraordinary creature rose up out of the murkiness and towards her, its gaping jaws open to
rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Horrified, Amy turned and into the deep darkness of the cave.
Next
Horrified, Amy turned and into the deep darkness of the cave.
Select a verb to edit it.
over rocks and sharp stones, she deeper into the terrifying cave. She saw a tiny light in the distance, which grew larger as she drew nearer.
Amy into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
Next
D o n e
Amy into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
Congratulations! That's all of the verbs completed. That certainly sounds a lot better!
Select Next to go to the next task.
Select Next to go to the next task.
Adverbs are linked to verbs and tell more about them.
'Quickly' is an adverb, and so are 'nervously', 'soon' and 'sadly'. We can choose adverbs to show how, when or where a verb is done. Adverbs help to build suspense and help us understand how a character is feeling.
'Quickly' is an adverb, and so are 'nervously', 'soon' and 'sadly'. We can choose adverbs to show how, when or where a verb is done. Adverbs help to build suspense and help us understand how a character is feeling.
Here's an example.
Look at how the choice of adverbs below changes how the reader thinks about what's happening in this scene.
Look at how the choice of adverbs below changes how the reader thinks about what's happening in this scene.
′He looked happily at the
young boy.′
young boy.′
′He looked threateningly at the
young boy.′
B a c k
N e x t
young boy.′
Select an adverb to edit it.
Gasping for breath, Amy broke the surface of the freezing water and found herself in a vast cavern.
She was exhausted after being swept out to sea and had been battling to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
Next
She was exhausted after being swept out to sea and had been battling to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
Select an adverb to edit it.
In the dim light from the mouth of the cave, she could see the roof above her and the dark water lapping against the rocky walls. Huge dripping stalactites hung from above.
, Amy struggled over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and pulled herself out of the icy water.
Next
, Amy struggled over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and pulled herself out of the icy water.
Select an adverb to edit it.
the surface of the water began to ripple. Astonished, Amy saw a murky shape appear from the water's depths.
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes glaring at her.
Next
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes glaring at her.
Select an adverb to edit it.
For a moment, Amy sat mesmerised. Then, as she backed away from the water's edge, the extraordinary creature rose up out of the murkiness and lunged towards her, its gaping jaws open to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Horrified, Amy turned and fled into the deep darkness of the cave.
Next
Horrified, Amy turned and fled into the deep darkness of the cave.
Select an adverb to edit it.
Stumbling over rocks and sharp stones, she scrambled deeper into the terrifying cave. she saw a tiny light in the distance, which grew larger as she drew nearer.
, Amy into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
D o n e
, Amy into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
Congratulations! That's all of the adverbs completed. Your changes have made the story much more dramatic and scary.
Select Next to go to the next task.
Select Next to go to the next task.
The last part of the story I'd like you to work on are the illustrations.
So … what makes a good illustration?
So … what makes a good illustration?
Illustrations need to be dynamic and help tell the story.
Sometimes illustrations exactly represent the words in the story. Or they can show things the words don't say, so you get more out of a story.
Sometimes illustrations exactly represent the words in the story. Or they can show things the words don't say, so you get more out of a story.
Here's an example.
Look at how the choice of illustration bellow changes the reader's image of what's happening in the story.
Look at how the choice of illustration bellow changes the reader's image of what's happening in the story.
'The terrifying shark was thrashing violently towards the unfortunate swimmers'.
B a c k
N e x t
Select an illustration from the Gallery to try it on the page.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
Gasping for breath, Amy thankfully broke the surface of the freezing water and found herself in a vast cavern.
She was completely exhausted after being swept out to sea and had been battling desperately to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
She was completely exhausted after being swept out to sea and had been battling desperately to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
That's not the best choice.
Look for an illustration that makes the mansion and garden look overgrown and creepy.
Select an illustration from the Gallery to try it on the page.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
In the dim light from the mouth of the cave, she could see the roof above her and the dark water lapping against the rocky walls. Huge dripping stalactites hung eerily from above.
Wearily, Amy struggled over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and pulled herself out of the icy water.
Wearily, Amy struggled over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and pulled herself out of the icy water.
That's not the best choice.
Look for an illustration that makes the mansion and garden look overgrown and creepy.
Select an illustration from the Gallery to try it on the page.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
Suddenly the surface of the water began to ripple. Astonished, Amy saw a murky shape appear stealthily from the water's depths.
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it threateningly lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes glaring at her.
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it threateningly lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes glaring at her.
That's not the best choice.
Look for an illustration that makes the mansion and garden look overgrown and creepy.
Select an illustration from the Gallery to try it on the page.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
For a moment, Amy sat mesmerised. Then, as she cautiously backed away from the water's edge, the extraordinary creature rose up out of the murkiness and lunged towards her, its gaping jaws open to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Horrified, Amy turned and fled frantically into the deep darkness of the cave.
Horrified, Amy turned and fled frantically into the deep darkness of the cave.
That's not the best choice.
Look for an illustration that makes the mansion and garden look overgrown and creepy.
Select an illustration from the Gallery to try it on the page.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
Select Check when you have chosen the illustration you want to use.
Stumbling over rocks and sharp stones, she scrambled deeper into the terrifying cave. Suddenly she saw a tiny light in the distance, which grew larger as she drew nearer.
Finally, Amy emerged into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
Finally, Amy emerged into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
That's not the best choice.
Look for an illustration that makes the mansion and garden look overgrown and creepy.
Congratulations! You've chosen illustrations that really highlight the horror of this story.
The book is now finished!
The book is now finished!
You've learned how to make a story tense and exciting by choosing effective verbs, adverbs and illustrations.
You can use this knowledge to improve all your stories.
You can use this knowledge to improve all your stories.
Thanks for your help. I think it'll be a bestseller!
You can read or print your finished story, or select Worksheet to print out a different story that needs some work on its verbs and adverbs.
You can read or print your finished story, or select Worksheet to print out a different story that needs some work on its verbs and adverbs.
Gasping for breath, Amy thankfully broke the surface of the freezing water and found herself in a vast cavern.
She was completely exhausted after being swept out to sea and had been battling desperately to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
B a c k
Next
Back
She was completely exhausted after being swept out to sea and had been battling desperately to find her way back to the beach from which she'd set out.
In the dim light from the mouth of the cave, she could see the roof above her and the dark water lapping against the rocky walls. Huge dripping stalactites hung eerily from above.
Wearily, Amy struggled over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and pulled herself out of the icy water.
B a c k
Next
Back
Wearily, Amy struggled over to a narrow stretch of sand on one side of the cave and pulled herself out of the icy water.
Suddenly the surface of the water began to ripple. Astonished, Amy saw a murky shape appear stealthily from the water's depths.
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it threateningly lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes glaring at her.
B a c k
Next
Back
Long and sinuous like a snake, but much thicker in the body, it was covered with shiny, black scales. As it threateningly lifted its enormous head, Amy saw two sinister green eyes glaring at her.
For a moment, Amy sat mesmerised. Then, as she cautiously backed away from the water's edge, the extraordinary creature rose up out of the murkiness and lunged towards her, its gaping jaws open to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Horrified, Amy turned and fled frantically into the deep darkness of the cave.
B a c k
Next
Back
Horrified, Amy turned and fled frantically into the deep darkness of the cave.
Stumbling over rocks and sharp stones, she scrambled deeper into the terrifying cave. Suddenly she saw a tiny light in the distance, which grew larger as she drew nearer.
Finally, Amy emerged into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.
B a c k
Next
Back
Finally, Amy emerged into the blinding sunlight and found herself standing at the foot of the cliff. Then, behind her, she heard the beast roar.