Word Choice
Before we begin:
Write a sentence. One sentence about the shirt you are wearing. (example: My shirt is red)
The English Language offers us a very wide variety of ways to say the exact same thing. Consider a
basic greeting… Hello! Hi! Sup! Hey! Greetings! Good day! and those are just off the top of my head.
When writing, selecting the best, most interesting words helps your reader to increase their interest in
what you have to say.
Take a look at the following sentences…both say the same thing, just differently:
The Titanic ship was a big ship that sunk in the ocean.
The Titanic ship was a colossal ocean liner that sunk into the abyss of the sea.
What makes the second sentence more appealing to readers?
What about this one:
I went kayaking with friends. They brought their dog.
One sizzling August afternoon my friends and I kayaked at Lake Tahoe on a bright red canoe. Their energetic golden retriever,
Fido, rode along with us.
In addition to being more exciting, what does the second sentence offer readers?
Now…
Record as many words as you can to describe your shirt.
Hand your sheet to someone else…have them record as
many words as they can to describe your shirt.
Now using some of your words and some of your partners, re write a sentence that describes the shirt you are wearing:
Discuss the differences in your sentences here:
Try Again…write a sentence about something you did during the winter break.
(example: I went to my Grandma’s house.)
Next, pick a few words from your sentence and list 3 words you could use while still saying the same
thing.
(example: I went to my Grandma’s house.)
Visited, traveled to, ventured
home, place, dwelling
Then have a friend add 2-3 words that also mean the same thing…
Stayed at, proceeded to
Toured, Place of residence, abode
Now re work your sentence using the new words…
I ventured to my Grandma’s place of residence.
You try: Write a sentence
Pick some words and list 3 words you could use instead (use a dictionary or thesaurus to help)
Pass it to a friend and have them add 2-3 words that also mean the same thing.
Rework your sentence using the new words.
Adding DETAIL and EXPLANATION can also help your sentences come alive. Think of the differences
between the following sentences:
I ventured to my Grandma’s place of residence.
On Christmas day, right after I woke up in the morning, I ventured to my Grandma’s place of
residence on Albert Street to shovel the three feet of fresh, fluffy snow.
You try! Add detail to your sentence to more accurately describe who, when, where, why and how
Some RULES for WORD CHOICE:
 Use words that are unique, interesting, and colourful…think of how boring “big”
sounds when you could use “colossal”
 Avoid repeating words (when you are writing more than a sentence). Find original
and interesting ways to say similar things.
 Try your best to paint a picture for your readers – remember word choice can change
tone which can impact meaning
(example: I visited my Grandma’s home vs. I was forced to travel to my Grandma’s
place of residence)
 Words should be thoughtfully selected – especially adjectives (describing words).
Your words need to say what you want them to!
 Take risks with new, less-common words (while ensuring your reader can understand
you!)
 Don’t be afraid to use ample description to really explain what you mean. Try to
include info about who, what, where, why and how.
A cheat sheet!
Here are some really common words with a whole bunch of non-
common synonyms!
Said - whispered, cried, screamed, hollered, shrieked, bellowed, believed, weeped, howled,
wailed, blubbered, shouted, exclaimed, called, yelped, screeched
Good - nice, pleasant, well-behaved, excellent, gracious, phenomenal, extraordinary, unique,
fantastic, awesome, super, fabulous, wonderful, amazing, exceptional
Big
- large, huge, enormous, gigantic, gargantuan, giant, immense, great whopping, extensive,
massive
Small - tiny, miniature, teeny, little, microscopic, petite, undersized, minute
Laugh - chortle, chuckle, grin, guffaw, crow, titter, cackle, hoot, giggle, snicker
Slow - swagger, saunter, shuffle, meander, amble, stroll, sluggish
Happy - tickled, elated, thrilled, lighthearted, delighted, ecstatic, blissful, jovial, overjoyed,
jubilant
Sad - pitiable, downhearted, woebegone, forlorn, dispirited, miserable, wretched, dejected,
disheartened, depressed
Went - traveled, meandered, scurried, trotted, hurried, scuttled, rushed, darted, dashed,
bustled, crept, crawled, edged, strolled, roamed, wandered, ambled, scampered
Nice - pleasant, good, kind, polite, satisfying, enjoyable, pleasing, pleasurable, lovely, amusing,
cheery
Look - peer, gaze, peek, stare, glance, peep, glimpse
Eat - nibble, crunch, gobble, wolf, munch, chomp, devour, gorge, swallow, gnaw, chew, bite,
snack