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: SaidVisualise...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’