Assignment #3 Cliches

A good writer strives to be original. Too often papers that I evaluate are filled with cliches, overused expressions. Usually, students don't realize that they are even using cliches. So this writing exercise is designed to not only make you aware of what a cliche is, but to allow you to purge them from your system forever. Choose one of the following scenarios and use at least 12 cliches in your paragraph. Italicize each cliche or change the color so that it's easy for me to see how many you have used.

Example:

It was the day of the big game. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. There were two out and the bases were loaded. Sweat dripped into my eyes as I stepped to the plate. My stomach had butterflies. It was do or die. Our backs were against the wall. I remembered the coach saying there is no "I" in team. I decided to give 110%, to leave it all out on the field. The first pitch came in faster than a speeding bullet...

You get the idea.

Love at first sight.
A lecture from a parent.
Entering a haunted house.
A daring rescue.
A showdown at the OK corral


Student Example:


Love Conquers All

Love is blind, or so they say. I know differently.
The day she smiled at me was the best day of my life. She was an earth angel, and hot as hell. She took my breath away. I was in love at first sight. As she sashayed towards me, I realized what everyone was talking about when they said love conquers all. She was as graceful and as free as a bird. When she got close enough to hear me speak I seductively whispered "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" She knew she was the apple of my eye and I was walking on cloud nine. She had cold hands, and a warm heart. She smelled fresh as a daisy and her voice was sweet as honey. She was a feast for sore eyes, and I instantly knew that all things grew with love. When I was with her it was the time of my life. Her love was pure.

When she left, my world fell apart.

She left at the crack of dawn, left me standing alone, crying buckets. Her words still whispered in my ears, "You only hurt the ones you love." I guess I just have to come to terms with the fact that if you love something, you must set it free. It was an amazing night, and I feel lucky to have loved and lost, then to have never loved at all. Every rose has its thorn, and I guess i just discovered hers early in the game. She taught me to stop and smell the roses, and that lifes not that bad. She taught me to love even though I do not know her name.
I know that we will meet again, because there is always next year. And like I said,

Love conquers all