Bridging the Gap between Voice and Word Choice

Word Choice Definition: By definition, word choice at its best means precise, colorful, descriptive and expressive language consistently defines the written work. In addition to utilizing impressive or appropriately sophisticated vocabulary, word choice more importantly means students possessing the skill to use everyday words well. When word choice is an asset, the writer communicates not just in a functional way, but also in a way that moves and enlightens the reader.

Striking Language Carefully consider your descriptive powers – think RICH details and WOW factor. Carefully consider your descriptive powers – think RICH details and WOW factor. Go back through your draft and underline any NOUNS that you see. Go back through your draft and underline any NOUNS that you see. Person, place, thing, or idea Person, place, thing, or idea

Striking Language Revision Select FIVE nouns in your essay and brainstorm a list of adjectives to describe that noun- be SPECIFIC! Example: Car Apple-red, MINI Cooper with British Union Jack flag side mirrors and a Texas license plate. Movie Coming-of-age, adventure story called The Goonies

Vivid Verbs Go through your essay and highlight the verbs. Are your verbs vivid? Walked to the store vs. dragged myself to the store Have you avoided “be” verbs? Am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been Revise your verbs NOW!!

Vivid Verbs Continued Select two verbs and add adverbs after them to make them more specific and vivid (words that end in “-ly”) I laughed about what he did. Vs. I laughed maniacally about what he did.

Natural Language Making your description sound authentic and real. Making your description sound authentic and real. These are phrases that you add to make your writing more “conversational” and “natural” These are phrases that you add to make your writing more “conversational” and “natural”

Natural Language Revision Add two phrases like the following to your writing: “Clearly”“That’s totally me” “As you can see”“Don’t judge me, but” “Obviously” “You know” “I always do this”

Homework Continue editing and revising your college essay for voice! New draft due Monday for 1XH! This draft should be very different from the first draft!