Cougar Writing Camp – Word Choice/Diction – Day 2 Wednesday, September 9, 2015 Today’s plan – Working with Word Choice Bell Work: Get out your packet (Introduction to Word Choice: Diction) from yesterday and a pen/pencil. You should also have out your Cougar Camp packet.

Formal vs. Informal Words in Writing Think about your audience and your purpose and choose wisely! Ask yourself the following: “Who am I writing to?” “What am I writing about?” The answers to these questions will determine what language you need to use. Example: The CSISD school board members are trying to decide if all CSISD students should wear uniforms to school. Your job is to write a letter to the school board members trying to persuade them to not implement this rule. What type of language would you use in this circumstance? Write your answer in your notes. Example: You are writing an email to a friend telling them about the possibility of wearing school uniforms and your opinion of the situation. What type of language would you use in this circumstance? Write your answer in your notes.

Talk about the description with your group. Read and think. A redheaded woman was there with Trout. Kate could see her rummaging through the cabin, dumping drawers and knocking things from the shelves of cabinets. Loius Sachar, Holes Talk about the description with your group. What picture do you get in your mind when you read the second sentence? How would the meaning of the sentence change if we changed some of the words? For example: Kate could see her searching through the cabin, emptying drawers and taking things off of the shelves of cabinets. Practice Write a sentence describing a small boy making a mess in a restaurant. Choose words that are clear, concrete, and exact. You have 3 minutes and then we will share.

What is Word Choice? There’s a fancy, english-y word for this – diction. Think of it as a tackle box – which words can you pick to “hook” your reader, or get them interested? Verbs & adjectives make the difference I ran away from the mean dog.  BORING! Heart pounding, I sprinted with unceasing speed away from the inhuman canine that was gnawing at my heels.  YES! You know Dennis Rodman… Here’s what happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niSd-GtPCGk Right click on link and select “Open Hyperlink”

Yikes!

Word Choice Compare the two articles describing the situation – using the chart on page 7 of your writing workbook, list parallel (similar) details from each account. Watch for how the words change! At the bottom of the page, using specific evidence, write which version paints the more favorable picture of Dennis Rodman. 10 minutes!

Word Choice Activity Now turn to page 8 of your packet and follow along as I read the instructions. Your topic is….. There was a food fight in the cafeteria yesterday and you were involved in it. Your job is to explain and give details about what happened. Your first audience is…. Mr. Martindale! Your second audience is…your parent! Your third audience is… your best friend!

Closure…part one How did your words change? What effect does audience have on our writing?

Closure… part two Go back to your paragraphs. Is your diction appropriate? Are there verbs that can be changed to paint a more specific picture?