Discovering Just the Right Word

Precise word choice helps show the reader a story and not just tell a story. The purpose of this series of lessons is to help students improve their writing style by strengthening word choice at the word and sentence level by adding adverbs, precise verbs, and specific nouns.

A lesson plan for grades 3–4 English Language Arts

By DPI Writing Strategies

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Related topics

• Learn more about English language arts.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• add adjectives, precise verbs, and specific nouns to sentences.
• combine sentences.
• combine and eliminate words in wordy sentences.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

1 Hours

Materials/resources

• Blank transparency
• Sentences written on note cards (see below, step 4)
• Vis-a Vis Markers (different colors for editing)
• Discovering the Right Word transparency: pdf | rtf

Technology resources

Overhead Projector

Pre-activities

None.

Activities

Modeling/Minilesson

1. Show the following weakly written sentence on a transparency:
   
   
   The shiny shirt was pretty.
2. Model revising the sentence as follows:
   
   
   The rhinestone-studded shirt glittered under the lights.
3. Discuss the changes that help the reader picture the shirt, such as adding adverbs, precise verbs and specific nouns.
4. Continue using the same procedure with the following examples for using specific nouns. Point out to students the importance of using specific nouns rather than vague nouns.
   
   
   Weak Example: He met him at the park.
   Strong Example: Grey met Brandon at the park.
5. Point out to students the importance of using details to reveal emotions.
   
   
   Weak Example: She was sad.
   Strong Example: She couldn’t hide her tear-stained cheeks and red eyes.

Guided Practice

6. Divide the class into six groups. Give each group one of the following sentences written on a note card:

7. Direct the students to work together to revise the sentences so the reader can picture the idea, by using adverbs, precise verbs, and precise nouns.
8. Allow students to share the revisions.Note examples of revisions that used words to create strong visual images.

Followup Lesson

9. Put the following weakly-written sentence on the transparency:
   
   
   She ate her dinner.
10. Model revising the sentence by improving the verb.
    
    
    She devoured her dinner.
11. Give each group one of the following sentences, written on a note card:

12. Direct students to revise the sentences by improving the verbs.
13. Allow students to share revised sentences.
14. Point out to the students that they have revised by choosing strong verbs.

Some examples of other followup lessons (see attachment):

1. Revising Each Sentence or Line:
   Students may wish to reorder or revise words within sentences or lines to strengthen the meaning conveyed to the reader as well as to add interest.
   
   
   Weak Example: I felt bad about the situation.
   Strong Example: My eyes swelled with tears over the situation.
   
   Being too wordy can also be confusing. Students need to see how to use as few words as necessary to relay the desired meaning.
   
   
   Weak Example: The wood cabinet made of oak was beautiful, and we decided to buy it right then.
   Strong Example: Immediately we decided to buy the beautiful oak cabinet.
2. Revising Individual Words:
   Revising at the word level is important fine tuning. This is the time to have students utilize the thesaurus and dictionary. Here are some tips:
   
   Use interesting “visual” words
   
   Weak Example: The shiny shirt was pretty.
   Strong Example: The rhinestone-studded vest dazzled everyone.
   
   Strengthen with strong verbs
   
   Weak Example: She ate her dinner.
   Strong Example: She devoured her dinner.
   
   Clarify with specific pronouns
   
   Weak Example: He met him at the park.
   Strong Example: Grey met Brandon at the park.
   
   Clarify vague concepts
   
   Weak Example: Hunter and Jacob played a game.
   Strong Example: Hunter and Jacob played soccer.
   
   Use sensory detail to evoke emotion
   
   Weak Example: She was sad.
   Strong Example: She couldn’t hide her tear-stained cheeks and red eyes.

Assessment

Can students add visual adjectives, precise verbs, and precise nouns to the sentences provided?

Supplemental information

Attachment:
Discovering the Right Word: pdf | rtf

Related websites

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Comments

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