Choosing Your Words
Aligned to L.4.3 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
The words you choose change how your writing sounds. Picking exact, lively words instead of dull ones makes your meaning clear and keeps a reader interested. Good writers also choose words that fit their reader and purpose.
Worked example
'The big dog went down the street' becomes stronger as 'The giant dog raced down the street.' Choosing 'giant' and 'raced' paints a much clearer picture.
Practice questions
- Replace the word 'nice' in a sentence with a more exact word.
- Rewrite 'The food was good' using stronger, more descriptive words.
- Explain why choosing exact words helps your reader picture what you mean.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Elegir tus Palabras
Las palabras que eliges cambian cómo suena tu escritura. Elegir palabras exactas y vivas en lugar de palabras aburridas hace tu significado claro y mantiene interesado al lector. Los buenos escritores también eligen palabras que van con su lector y su propósito.
Ejemplo: 'El perro grande fue por la calle' se vuelve más fuerte como 'El perro gigante corrió velozmente por la calle.' Elegir 'gigante' y 'corrió velozmente' pinta una imagen mucho más clara.
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