Bridging the Gap between Voice and Word Choice

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Bridging the Gap between Voice and Word Choice
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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.

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Striking Language

• Carefully consider your descriptive powers
  think rich details and WOW factor.
• Go back through your draft and circle any NOUNS
  that you see.
• Person, place, thing, or idea

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Striking Language Revision

• Select two different nouns and add two similes of
  description
• (as sad as the mourning moon)
• (like a waterfall of tears)

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Striking Language Revision Continued

• Select two different nouns and add metaphors
• (The high school was a prison.)
• (The experience was Jack the Ripper at
  Halloween.)

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Striking Language Revision Continued

• Select two other nouns and add personification
• (The moon cried to know the truth.)
• (The sun smiled at my accomplishment.)

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Exact Language

• Using lively verbs, precise nouns, and accurate
  modifiers (adjectives and adverbs.)
• The car vs. the balloon red MINI Cooper
• Walked to the store vs. dragged myself to the
  store
• Smiled vs. smiled half-heartedly
• Many chances vs. three opportunities to ask her
  out on a date

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Exact Language Revision

• Go through your draft and UNDERLINE verbs
• Action and states of being (am, is, are, was,
  were, be, being, been)

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Exact Language Revision 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.

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Exact Language Revision Continued

• Select and REPLACE two verbs in your draft
• Replace them with more emotionally-specific verbs
• Walked vs. dragged myself

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Exact Language Revision Continued

• Select two nouns that are circled and REPLACE
  them with more specific nouns
• I like sports vs. My favorite sports are
  lacrosse, basketball, and soccer.

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Exact Language Revision Continued

• Select two nouns and add adjectives to describe
  them.
• The waterfall stood in front of me. Vs
• The crystal, blue Hawaiian waterfall stood in
  front of me.

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Natural Language

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

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Natural Language Revision

• Add two phrases like the following to your
  writing
• Clearly Thats totally me
• As you can see Dont judge me, but
• Obviously
• You know
• I always do this

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How and Why Valuing Word Choice Makes Your
Writing Better

• Playing with word choice drives
• a love of language,
• a curiosity about words, and
• a willingness to try new and better things as a
  writer, even if you make mistakes along the way.

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Homework

• Type up your rough draft, focusing on revising
  for voice as you do so.
• Bring the typed draft to class on Monday for 2XH.
• 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, 2-3
  pages (no more/ no less), MLA heading rough
  draft title