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Word Choice

Word Choice. The fourth element of the 6+1 writing traits. Language Arts Columbia School EMCSD, California. Words can be powerful ….

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Word Choice

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  1. Word Choice The fourth elementof the 6+1 writing traits Language Arts Columbia School EMCSD, California

  2. Words can be powerful … In this video clip you’re going to see a blind man sitting on a wide sidewalk. He has a tin can and is hoping those who pass by will help him out. He is not having much luck. But a woman comes along and does something. Watch and listen for the three lines of dialogue shown below: What did you do to my sign? I wrote the same … but in different words. Thanks, love.

  3. But finding just the right word can take time … even for an expert … Good writers will sometimes search for hours for just the right word. — Snoopy

  4. What is word choice? • Good word choice is choosing words that can make your writing a masterpiece. • Remember, an author needs to paint a picture in the mind of the reader. Using the right words will add color, texture, and emotion to your writing.

  5. What is word choice? • Replace dull, over-used verbs with colorful, exciting, and descriptive verbs. • Use specific nouns that create a picture. • Use adverbs and adjectives in order to increase the effectiveness of your imagery. • Don’t be afraid to experiment with new compound words.

  6. For example, these ordinary “go” words can be boring: went, go, ran, run, jumped, jump, threw Why not try these instead: skidded flew meandered sauntered darted twirled danced raced squirmed BOLTED dashed streaked thrashed HURLED HURLED HIMSELF OVER WADDLED

  7. And when quoting someone, it is common to write … She said, he said, or someone said … But try to be more entertaining and precise: requested denied shouted whispered inquired demanded stated confirmed murmured screamed questioned replied

  8. Paint more powerful pictures by being specific … Chihuahua malamute dog bird bald eagle raven house bungalow granny flat school’s gym skyscraper building

  9. Use more interesting, specific adjectives … enormous immense big small minute petite blue cornflower royal brilliant intelligent smart

  10. Well-chosen adverbs will add depth to your writing. • Walter listened patiently as he tenderly embraced his sobbing 14-year-old daughter. • Jose and Simone gracefully waltzed across the dance floor as they gazed intensely into each other’s eyes. Don’t forget to experiment with compound words. • It was one of those I-don’t-want-to-tell-you-but-I have-to moments.

  11. And don’t forget to use figurative language … I ran into the tree branch. The baboon left. The mountain pine reached out and smacked me heartily with its branch. The big, black, bumbling baboon sauntered off and never returned.

  12. Avoid repetition: It is boring! All the houses on our street are very ugly. Mrs. Gibbons lives in a big ugly house down the street. The Fitzgeralds live in an ugly house at the other end of the street. The house we live in isn’t the ugliest, but it comes close. The ugliest house on the street belongs to the Smiths. The McClouds, however, think none of the houses are ugly. Not only is the word “ugly” overused, but notice how many sentences begin with the same word!

  13. And, don’t forget, we have a few dead words: They have been buried and should not be used. • nice • things • stuff • a lot • scared • have to • like • kid • mad • get • got • then • so • fun • good • but • awful • great • guy • funny • lots • use • want • big • small • sad • happy • nice • very • bad • real

  14. The Rubric: What we expect … • Words support the ideas • Vivid vocabulary that paints vivid pictures in the mind of the reader (e.g., imagery, figurative language) • Active verbs, specific nouns, and original adjectives and/or compound words that enhance meaning • Words that are varied, not repetitious • Language and phrasing that is natural

  15. Word Choice Activity • The man went down the street. • The cat made a noise. • The dog barked at something. • I was so happy. • She cooked a dessert. • The child cried when he dropped his ice cream. • The girl looked nice. • We were afraid when we looked down. • The room did not smell good.

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