Here are the 4 extracts from my stories I use in this podcast to give examples of the use of SO and REALLY as intensifiers.
'The fishmonger,' corrected Vanessa again. 'The person who sells fish is called a fishmonger.'
'The fishmonger was REALLY big and fat,' added Jason. 'Then Gran pointed to the fish man and said to me, "Do you know what this gentleman's name is?" And I said, "No, I don't." And Gran said, "His name's Mr Whale!" And Gran laughed and the big, fat fish man looked at me with his big red face and laughed and everybody in the shop laughed, but I didn't laugh because I didn't understand what was SO funny.
Then Gran said it again, "His name is Mr Whale!" So I said "Oh! I see! His name is Mr Whale and he's REALLY big and fat like a whale!" And then everybody stopped laughing and Mr Whale went redder in the face and then looked the other way, and Gran was REALLY annoyed, but I didn't understand why.'
'Stupid!' said Vanessa angrily. 'It was funny, because his name is Mr Whale and he's a fishmonger. Don't you see?'
Her grandmother looked down into the fireplace. She had only lived on this island, and she knew no other life.
'Well, I suppose it would be nice for you. You're a smart girl. You need something more than what this island can offer you.'
She looked at her knitting. 'I can't see you knitting jumpers for tourists!'
'There's one thing I need to do first though,' said Animos. 'I'll have to pass a university entry exam to be accepted.'
'Surely, you won't find that difficult,' said her grandmother. 'You learn things SO quickly!'
'Preparing for the entry exam is two years' study,' said Animos. 'I just have three months before I sit the exam. But I'll try.
That spring, Animos, with the help of her new teacher, studied as hard as she could. Each night she stayed up late with her books. Then, she had to get up early to continue studying the following day. There was SO much to learn to prepare for the exam, Animos couldn't allow herself any free time.
'But, where have you been, Mary?' he asked. 'I employed detectives to find you but they were all SO stupid…'
'Well, I had a bit of luck,' answered Mary. 'One day, I was cleaning in a theatre and I found a gold ring on the floor. I handed it to the police but nobody came for it so they gave it back to me and said I could keep it. I sold it for quite a lot of money.
'You know, I know I'm not young any more, but I want to improve my life. I've been learning how to read and write. I'm studying at a school the other side of the city, so I've been staying with a friend. You know, Stephen, I'm learning to read and write SO quickly, I think soon I'll be able to find a job as a secretary!'
Max turned away from the side window and looked forward through the front windscreen. Bright stars filled the black space ahead of him. It was another wonderful weekend away in space for Max. He REALLY looked forward to his weekends.
Max opened the computer screen and turned on the display. He could now see the space social network groups and who was online. Max found a few of his friends. Dekker was in his own spaceship. He had just left the planet Gonda. Baxter and Bleeper had been in space since Thursday and were close by. Max touched Dekker's avatar on the screen. Dekker replied immediately.
'Hi, there, Max! How are you?' said Dekker.
'Fine,' answered Max. 'Good to hear from you, Dekker! Let's do some space travel!'
'Sure!' said Dekker. 'I'll contact Baxter and Bleeper. The space cowboys are gonna have fun! Wahoo!'
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