Writing – Vocabulary and Word Choice

Some words suit the content and purpose of writing better than others 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... Visualise the word 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... Visualise the word Write down what you ‘see’/imagine 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 use depends on your purpose.

Now it’s your turn...again 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 you have to: visualise the word first, write down what you see 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 use depends 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 use depends 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 SYNONYMS You 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 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’