Notes taken from Fiction Writer’s Workshop by Josip Novakovich WORD CHOICE Course Target: I will create non-fiction with authentic voice, word choice and tone. Record whatever is in blue!!!

Word Choice: Effectively expresses emotions and behaviors, giving power to writing. Choosing certain words helps to create the tone and mood you want for your readers. TONE: the author’s attitude towards their subject MOOD: the emotions the reader feels while reading

HOW DO WE ALTER OUR WORD CHOICE? We do this by first thinking about what mood we want to have in our writing. Then we look closely at our verbs, adverbs, nouns and adjectives and change them to fit our desired mood!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT VERBS Remember: A verb is the part of speech that describes an action or occurrence or indicates a state of being. Example: run, fun, walk, etc. Avoid weak connective verbs : “is” and “has” Because they stall action and impart a static quality to your writing. Instead of “A painting is on the wall,” say “A painting hangs on the wall.”

HOW CAN WE CHANGE THE VERB TO EXPRESS A MOOD OF VIOLENCE? His hand is on her.

USE ADVERBS! An adverb is a word used to describe a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs answer the questions how, when, where, or to what extent: The boy walked there. (where) The boy walked then. (when) The boy walked slowly. (how) The boy walked far. (to what extent). These words bring in more description to your writing! Adverbs should express attitude and behavior!

WHAT ARE SOME DESCRIPTIVE ADVERBS THAT YOU CAN ADD TO THIS SENTENCE? She walked home from school.

USE CONCRETE NOUNS Reminder: A noun is a person, place, or thing Rely on concrete nouns – that is, names for things. Example: The package of shirts on the table behind her, the newspapers scattered over the couch and floor, the sound of windblown rain washing the sides of the building outside, and the silence of the room, as we stood across from one another and watched. Be concrete rather than abstract whenever possible! Abstract example: “The room was messy.” -What does that mean?

WHICH NOUNS CAN BE MADE MORE CONCRETE? The Classroom had lots of books.

USE DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES THAT WORK TOGETHER! Reminder: Adverbs are words that modify/describe a noun or pronoun ( red hair, new ideas, warm weather. Notice the difference between these two sentences: The locker room smelled of fresh laundry and bleached floors. The locker room smelled of dirty laundry and rotting floors. How is the mood in each of these sentences different because of the adjectives?