Word Choice - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Word Choice

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Word Choice 6 Traits of Good Writing http://www.madglibs.com/ Activity Basic level choosing words that are the correct part of speech and have the generally correct ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Word Choice


1
Word Choice
  • 6 Traits of Good Writing

2
Activity
  • http//www.madglibs.com/

3
What trait are we working with?
WORD CHOICE!
  • Basic levelchoosing words that are the correct
    part of speech and have the generally correct
    meaning
  • EX I eat a cake yesterday. I ate a cake
    yesterday. Eat is present tense ate is past
    tense.
  • EX Because I studied independently, I
    self-possessed completed my paper.
    Self-possessed appears as a synonym for
    independently, so you might try and use it the
    same way, but they are not interchangeable.
  • EX I defiantly love to read. I definitely love
    to read. Defiant is the correct word choice
    for the sentence it has the incorrect meaning.

4
Intermediate level
  • Switch general nouns to specific nouns, utilize
    more interesting verbs, vary word choice
  • Many words we rely on are overused or too general
    (vague). To give your writing stronger voice or
    make it subtly persuasive, pay attention to these
    vague, overused words and thoughtfully submit
    mores specific words.
  • EX nice? kind, gentle, compassionate, pretty,
    thoughtful, comfortable, fascinating
  • EX people? the government, teens, adults, senior
    citizens, American citizens,
    children, toddlers, the public,
    the media
  • EX bad smell? stench

5
Also, avoid repetition
  • When it comes to intelligent people, Julia is
    just about the most intelligent person I know.
  • This sounds significantly better with varied word
    choice
  • When it comes to intelligent people, Julia is
    just about the cleverest.
  • (Or try brainiest, intellectual, astute,
    gifted, or bright)

6
Carousel
  • Each small group will get a poster. On the
    poster, brainstorm and add as many appropriate
    words as you can generate. When I say, SWITCH,
    pass your poster to the next group and start on
    the next poster.
  • Think of words we could use instead of good,
    bad, walk, said, things/stuff
  • Think of words we could use when we can use for
    emotions, colors, transitions

7
Now, get out a sheet of paper
  • In your same small groups, rotate the posters
    around the room again, copying useful words onto
    a notes sheet. Specifically pay attention to the
    emotion words, transition words, and good words,
    as these will be useful in writing your personal
    statement.

8
Advanced Level
  • Creating opportunities for descriptive language,
    using figures of speech, avoiding clichés
  • Descriptive language Instead of saying, It was
    a beautiful day, which gives little-to-no real
    information about what the day was like, use
    descriptive language The leaves were shades of
    crimson and gold, and the sun illuminated every
    hue, giving the impression of a forest bursting
    into flame. OR The sky looked as though it had
    never even heard of clouds.

9
Advanced Level
  • Figures of speech Dont be afraid to work
    personification, metaphor, hyperbole (extreme
    exaggerationthink Yo Mama jokes), or
    understatement into your formal writing. It
    develops voice and creates a more interesting
    text.
  • EX Human understanding is an intricate spider
    web of thought. Each strand of insight connects
    isolated pieces of knowledge. The more dense
    this web of connections becomes, the easier it is
    to catch the finer details of a text.

10
Advanced Level
  • Avoiding clichés Clichés are phrases so overused
    that they seem to lose their meaning or the
    resonance they once had.
  • EX dead as a doornail, pitch-black, lovesick,
    YOLO, home is where the heart is, daydreamer
  • Try replacing these words and phrases with new
    ways to say the same thing.
  • EX pitch-black ? relentless darkness

11
Fix it!
  • Bert goes to the finish line and wins the race.
  • Oscar carefully took his newborn baby to his
    wife.
  • Maria makes her own clothes from her own patterns.

12
Fix It!
  • The good fans cheered for their team.
  • Joey looked cool because he was wearing a nice
    jacket.
  • The friends had a bad argument and didnt speak
    for weeks.

13
Fix it!
  • I remember August 14th best of all because it was
    a perfect day. The weather was sunny and
    perfect, and the beached looked good as we
    stepped onto the sand.
  • This article contains good ideas for saving
    money. It explains a good, easy way to find
    bargains when shopping. It also has some good
    tips on making your money work for you.

14
Words to eliminate
  • You, your, youre
  • Like (unless you were just eh about something,
    amp up the language)
  • Literally (unless you actually mean LITERALLY)
  • Very
  • Nice
  • Good
  • Bad
  • A lot
  • First, second, third (as transition words)
  • Stupid/Dumb
  • Ridiculous
  • And anything else you feel could be stronger,
    more impactful, more meaning-filled.

15
What to do now
  • Finish your Writers Notebook (due Thursday)
  • Hey! You could always make me a MadLib to
    complete or do some other word choice themed
    writing!
  • Continue to look over your personal statement,
    considering not only word choice, but
    spelling/grammar, adding specific details,
    removing unnecessary info, checking paragraph
    breaks, etc.
  • Work on homework for another class.
  • If nothing to do, read a book.
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