Vocabulary and Language Activities
Georgia O’Keeffe by Joan Didion
Common Core Standards: L.4c Consult reference materials to determine or clarify a word’s meaning or etymology.L.1b Use various types of
clauses to convey specific meanings and add variety and interest to writing.
VOCABULARY
Directions: Determine the relationship between the first pair of words in each analogy. Then write the vocabulary word the best completes the
second pair.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Tolerant is to easygoing as smug is to ______.
Contemptuous is to speech as ___ is to remark.
Filth is to squalor as _____ is to permanent.
Embrace is to affection as insult is to ____.
Birth is to death as ____ is to termination.
Word List
Condescending
Derisive
Genesis
Immutable
rancor
WRITING WITH ACADMEIC VOCABULARY
Directions: Construct an imagery dialogue between Didion and O’Keeffe. Include specific details from Didion’s essay to show how the two
women react to each other. Use at least two academic vocabulary words in your response.
STRATEGIES FOR VOCABULARY: THE ROOT WORD gen
Common Core Standards L.4c Consult reference materials to determine or clarify a word’s meaning or etymology
The vocabulary word genesis contains the Greek root gen, which means “birth, race, or origin.” Gen is also a Latin root with a similar meaning. You
will come encounter the root gen not only in your English class but in reading for other classes as well, such as science and social science. To
comprehend the meaning of words with gen, use context clues as well as your understanding of the root.
Practice: Choose the word from the word web (next page) that best completes each sentence. Use context clues in the sentences to help you, or
if needed use a dictionary.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
They employed a ____ to trace their family lineage.
____ are products are usually less expensive than those with brand names.
The defective ___ he inherited led to a serious blood disease.
___ is an attempt to destroy a race of people
They couldn’t _____ enough interest in their project to get financial support.
She felt that not being allowed to try out for the football team was ____ discrimination.
A Word Web for gen.
gender
gene
generate
gen
genealogist
generic
genocide
LANGUAGE SKILLS: GRAMMAR AND STYLE
L.1b Use various types of clauses to convey specific meanings and add variety and interest to writing.
Restrictive Clauses
-A restrictive clause is one that is necessary to identify the word it modifies. A restrictive clause is not offset with dashes or commas.
-A nonrestrictive clause is one that only provides additional information that is not necessary to the meaning of a sentence. A nonrestrictive clause is
set off by commas or dashes (like commas, dashes are often used to emphasize parenthetical information).
Examples:
I went to Reading with the man who lives next door. (identifies the man)
restrictive clause (no commas)
I went to Reading with John Baker, who lives next door. (just additional info)
non-restrictive clause (comma required)
Didion makes effective use of the restrictive clauses in her short, concise description about Georgia O’Keeffe. She also uses restrictive clauses
stylistically to make the essay more descriptive and interesting. Here is an example from Didion’s essay:
“She was a child on the Wisconsin prairie who played with china dolls and painted watercolors…”
Look at the student model below. This student is attempting to make effective use of restrictive clauses to clarify and enhance their description.
The first model lacks restrictive clauses; the second model has been edited to make effective use of restrictive clauses and as a result the second
model includes more descriptions and is more interesting to read. All edit are in blue.
Student Model #1:
Joan Didion effectively illustrates the character traits of an aggressive artist and her desire to pain, and live, in unexpected ways.
Student Model #2 (with edits):
Joan Didion effectively illustrates the character traits of an aggressive artist and her desire who possessed a particular “hardness” of character and
who desired to paint, and live, in unexpected ways.
THE READING AND WRITING CONNECTION
Directions: Respond to the writing task below in order to improve your comprehension of “Georgia O’Keeffe.” Next use the revising tip to improve
your writing.
Writing Task
Short Constructed Response:
What character trait does Didion highlight in her essay on Georgia
O’Keeffe? How successful are the details the author includes to illustrate
this trait? Construct a one –to-two page paragraph response, citing
evidence from the text.
Revising Tip
Reread your response to the writing task. How have you used restrictive
clauses in your evaluation of Didion’s characterization of Georgia
O’Keeffe? If you are lacking restrictive clauses go back and rewrite to
include them in your writing so that your work is more descriptive and
interesting to read.