Writing –
Vocabulary and Word Choice
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...

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...
1.
2.
3.
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:
1.
2.
3.
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
Eg.
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’