SCAPES

Why do I need SCAPES?

SCAPES makes your writing stronger by helping you add

descriptive details, supporting facts, comparisons, and strong

support for your topic.

* Start a New Page of NOTES titled SCAPES

Similes & MetaphorsCause & EffectAnecdotesPersonificationExample (List of 3)Sensory Images

SimileA simile compares two unlike

things using like or as.Example: His feet were as big as boats. (We are comparing the size of his feet to boats.)

*Now try it: Write 1 example of your own!

MetaphorA metaphor states that one thing is something else. It compares 2 unlike things, but does NOT use like or as.

Example: Her hair is silk. The sentence is comparing (or stating)

that hair is silk.

*Now try 1 of your own!

Cause & EffectCause & Effect explains why something happens or what happens as a result of

something else.Example: Because of the torrential downpour last night, the

ground was saturated and oozed between my toes.Other ways to use Cause & Effect:

• There was flooding because of the heavy rain.• The flooding was caused by the heavy rain.

• The heavy rain was the cause of the flooding.• The heavy rain was the reason for the flooding.• The flooding was attributed to the heavy rain.

• There was flooding on account of the heavy rain.• Due to the heavy rain, there was flooding.

Anecdote An Anecdote is a brief personal story used to help you make your point*Sample Writing Prompt: Persuade your audience that your school

should require all students to wear uniforms. Example: Uniforms help all students to feel equal and don’t leave

anyone feeling inferior because of their clothing. I have noticed on occasion a girl in one of my classes. She is the shy type that sits in the back of class. She knows all the answers, but never raises her hand because of a lack of self-confidence. One day when, instead of gazing over her, I really looked at her, I noticed her tattered jeans and hand-me-down shirt that didn’t really fit. Her confidence has been taken away because she doesn’t feel like she fits in to a material-crazed world.

PersonificationPersonification is when a

non-human object is given human characteristics

Examples:1. The wind stood up and gave a shout.2. The trees danced in the moonlight.

(shouting and dancing are things that only humans can do)

*Try 1 of your own now!

ExamplesUse a list of 3 Examples when you

are describing or giving reasons for something.

• Instead of saying that the room smelled bad,• say: The room smelled of Lysol, gym socks

and left-over lunch paraphernalia.

* Now try 1 of your own!

Sensory ImagesUse sensory imagery to describe in

detail instead of tell.

Non-Example: It was cold outside.Example: Jeff could feel the tingling chill down

his spine like tiny needles.

Acknowledgements

• Thanks for Ms. Pepe @ LJPS for allowing us to have access to this PowerPoint.