WORD+CHOICE

=WORD CHOICE=

"Out of the mouth of babes." It never ceases to amaze what will come out of the mouth of children - and it is the words they select when making a statement or asking one of their many questions that deals with the trait of word choice. In exploring word choice in the classroom, the focus in on the parts of speech that writers use to convey meaning - nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and so on. But word choice in NOT about grammar - it is about carefully selecting words to create fluent sentences and create a lasting image in the reader's mind.

Young writers are on their way to making wise word choices when they:
 * play with letters to make words
 * attempt to write words they have heard
 * try new ways of saying things
 * express an interest in the role of different kinds of words
 * develop a curiosity about language
 * use the perfect word in the perfect place
 * try sensory words
 * use language with precision //(Culham, 2005)//

Ruth Culham (2003) provides four categories of language that are directly related to word choice and ways to teach them:
 * 1) Striking Language: Sharpening students' descriptive powers
 * 2) Exact Language: Using lively verbs, precise nouns, and accurate modifiers
 * 3) Natural Language: Making it sound authentic
 * 4) Beautiful Language: Choosing colorful words and phrases

[|Word Choice Handout] (Madison, WI)

Lesson Ideas for Word Choice