Talk about other words the author might have used. See if you can find at least two other strong verbs in this chapter. Now locate the Sports section in The Tennessean. Choose a story of interest, and read it. As you read, circle or highlight strong verbs.
Similes are comparisons between two things, using the words like or as.
Using the television listings in The Tennessean, take two of your favorite TV programs and write a description about them using a simile in each one to make it more descriptive. Go to the Classifieds section of The Tennessean. Choose one item you think you would like to sell. Think of all the good points about that item, and write them down. Then write down all you would say if you were going to be selling that item on the radio.