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WORD CHOICE

3 Things to make your writing Sizzle

1. Use Strong Action Verbs 2. Be Specific and

Accurate 3. Use words to create

imagery

Applying Strong Verbs � Have I used action words? � Did I stretch to get a better word—

scurry rather than run?

� Do my verbs give my writing punch and pizzazz?

� Did I avoid is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been whenever I could?

Word Choice Is…

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Using Specific and Accurate Words

� Have I used nouns and modifiers that help the reader see a picture?

� Did I avoid using words that might confuse the reader?

� Did I try a new word, and if so, did I check to make sure I used it correctly?

� Are these the best words that can be used?

Word Choice Is…

Imagery-

� Did I choose words that show I really thought about them?

�  If I read my writing, can I play a movie of what is happening in my head?

� Do my words capture the reader’s imagination?

� Have I found the best way to express myself?

Word Choice Is…

Words to Avoid • Fun • Cool • Exciting • Enjoyable • Kinda • Probly • Awesome • Interesting

• Great

• Liked

• Stuff

• Heat

• Nice

• Funny

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Example #1 � Poor Word Choice:

�  It was dark out.

� Proper Word Choice: �  As Sarah walked through the woods she

had to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, feeling in front of her with hands that she couldn’t even see.

Example #2 Poor Word Choice:

The clown was really scary.

Proper Word Choice: Kyle’s stomach dropped as the clown’s head slowly turned towards him, the light reflecting just enough to reveal a distorted face painted into a grimace.

Example #3 � Poor Word Choice:

�  The husband loves his wife.

� Proper Word Choice: �  As his wife spoke, her husband gently

brushed her hair away from her face and gazed into her eyes.

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Example #4 � Poor Word Choice:

�  Katherine felt bad for what she had done.

� Proper Word Choice: �  Katherine hadn’t

slept in days. Every time she closed her eyes to sleep, images of that night flickered on and off like a short circuit while waves of guilt came with nausea

Example #5 � Poor Word Choice:

�  Mark saw a cut-off hand on the ground.

� Proper Word Choice: �  As Mark looked down at the concrete

sprinkled with fresh rain, his eyes fixed on five fingers connected to a severed hand seeming to point him towards the cemetery gates in the distance.

You choose! 1.  The girl smiled broadly, greeting me as

though we were best friends. Her warm handshake comforted me and I knew we would soon be the best of friends.

2.  The girl looked nice.

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You choose! � A white frost covered the dark earth, the

frigid air blowing every which way.

�  It was very cold outside.

You choose! � The old house smelled bad. � A putrid smell entered Diana’s nostrils

and she was forced to plug her nose as she opened the door to rickety, abandoned house that had not been entered for years.

Create your own! � The man went down the street. � She cooked a dessert.

� The teacher said something to the four boys.

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Class Activity �  Pick 2 sentences from your nanowrimo or a

scribble �  Choose 2 of the 3 ways we looked at for

revising (1 for each sentence). �  After 10-15 mins or so, exchange with a

partner give each other feedback.. �  Take feedback and revise again as necessary.