Writing – Vocabulary and Word Choice
Jan 13, 2016
Writing – Vocabulary and Word Choice
Vocab/Word choice = the variety and
complexity of words used.
Some words suit the content and
purpose of writing better than others
Vocab/Word choice Take care the words you use are not
awkward...
Here we practice 3 ways to improve word choice
These are like warm up exercises you do before you run, play sport...
Like stretching ...for your mind!
1. VISUALISATION & VARIATIONS
You are going to see a word and think of what the picture looks like in your head.
Then you will come up with 3 other words which could replace that word
You will have 60 seconds. Use ...
Ok, here’s one from me as an example
Word: walks
60 seconds of visualising and writing by me is now being done
And here it is...From the word “walks” I pictured a person
strolling along...
And came up with these words...sneaks, jogs, struts, marches, runs
Fantastic work! And it only took 60 seconds...
So now I have several other words I could use instead of ‘walks’, depending on my story.
Now it’s your turn... Ok, are you ready?
Make sure your book is open and you are ready to write
On the next slide there will be one word at the top and...
1. Visualise the word2. Write down what you ‘see’/imagine3. Write 3 other words that mean the
same thing
You will have 60 seconds...
Word: Looks
Visualise...what picture do you see?
And write it down
Now write down 3 other words which could be used ... Go!
Share & Listen...Wow!...how many useful words you
have now, to use in your writing ...
LOOKS...peeks, glimpses, glances,
gazes, stares, glares
Again, which word you usedepends on your purpose.
Now it’s your turn...againOk, are you ready?
Make sure your book is open and you are ready to write
On the next slide there will be one word at the top and you have to:
1. visualise the word first, 2. write down what you see 3. and write 3 other words
in 60 seconds...
Word: Said
Visualise...what picture do you see?And write it down.
Now write down 3 other words which could be used ... Go!
Share & Listen...Wow!... Wow!...how many useful words
you have now, to use in your writing ...
SAID...whispered, mentioned,commented, declared, shouted,exclaimed, screamed, hollered
Again, which word you usedepends on your purpose.
2. SUBTLETIES... word choice in a phrase
You are going to see a phrase and a word will be missing.
You will have a choice of 3 words to fill the blank
You will have 60 seconds...
Ok, here’s one from me as an example
Phrase: The man was _______ with the gifts he received.Choose from one of glad... happy...overjoyed
60 seconds of visualising and selecting one word by me is now being done
Now it’s your turn...Ok, are you ready?
Make sure your book is open and you are ready to write
On the next slide there will be one phrase with a word missing.
You have to choose one word which best fits the phrase,
in 60 seconds.
Phrase: The lady felt _______ by her behaviour.Choose from one of embarrassed...
humiliated...disgraced
60 seconds of you visualising and selecting one word, and write it down
Share & Listen...Goodo!...now you can use words
which suit your writing...
Again, which word you usedepends on your purpose!
3. THESAURUS and DICTIONARY ...word choices
You are going to see a list of words
You will have to find 3 words for 3 words
We will call these SYNONYMSYou will have 120 seconds...
3 WORDS:
1) Required...2) Change...3) Never...
Now you have to find 3 words that mean the same thing for each of the 3 words
120 seconds of finding & selecting 3 words...
Other ways to improve word choice
Replace general with specific
Eg.Flower...becomes Rose.Friends...become Robert and Rebecca.
Use a dash after a noun (sometimes)Picnic - chicken pies, apples and cherries.Streets - Collins, Elizabeth and Flinders
Writing with 6 Words?!
To write persuasively with SIX words you have to get
TO THE POINT
Sometimes the most powerful writing throws you straight in the action.
‘All of us can do it’