Dear Friends: As of Fall 2004 the Greater Phoenix Area Writing Project has been discontinued. This website will be maintained for a time on a limited basis for informational purposes and so that you are able to access the resources provided. All the best to you in your teaching. GPAWP 2003 Summer Institute Web Diary "Pictures with Word Choice"

Kelly Traylor Mountain View High School Mesa, AZ Presentation Title: "Pictures with Word Choice" Grade Level(s): 7-12 Book(s) used: NA Other Resources: TBD Presentation Description: Objective: Students analyze their word choice in writing by creating a descriptive paragraph based on pictures supplied by the teacher. Activities: Discuss and define word choice: vivid verbs, images, slanted language and charged words. As a class, brainstorm synonyms for a "boring" word (i.e., skinny, fat, old). From the list choose words which are negative and positive. Read the example paragraph, "Coralyn," which uses positively charged words and negatively charged words and discuss the different images that are created by changing the word choice. Assignment: Based on pictures provided by the teacher, create a scenario (story) that slants the reader to a positive image. Then, using the same scenario, slant the reader to a negative image. Choose words carefully. Note: If you don't see a Navigation Bar on this page, please click here, then click on GPAWP Summer Diary to get back to this page. Back to Web Diary Updated: December 8, 2005