This Week's Practice Exercise

Something Completely Different

Prepared by:  Charles Hightower
Posted on: May 6, 2012

 -------------------------

Exercise: Alter one word of a common phrase so that the topic takes on new meaning. Modify, transpose, add to, or remove no more than three letters of one of the words. Then use this as the title for your piece of 400 words or less.

-------------------------

What happens when you take a common phrase and make a slight tweak to one of its words? You may end up with a completely different topic.

Consider the warm, cuddly tale of "Santa's Workshop," a place where you might want to press your face against the window to peer inside and watch elves at work.  Changed to Satan's Workshop, you might be more likely to flee for your life.  A "Worthy Opponent" might be a very different character from a "Wordy Opponent."  The tale of "Robbery Gone Bad" would seem a different story from "Robbery Gone Fad."  Use one of these examples or be creative and come up with your own.

Be sure to show the original phrase followed by your altered title.

-------------------------

Exercise: Alter one word of a common phrase so that the topic takes on new meaning. Modify, transpose, add to, or remove no more than three letters of one of the words. Then use this as the title for your piece of 400 words or less.

-------------------------

In your critiques, let the writer know how well the tale and title work together.  Was the writing interesting/entertaining?  Would you want to read more?  Comment on any aspect of the writing that needs improvement as well as complimenting the writer for things well done.

These exercises were written by IWW members and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its members. You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that you found them at the Internet Writing Workshop.