Tired Words: A Lesson in Word Choice

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Tired Words A Lesson in Word Choice
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Word Choice Tired Words

• To engage the reader
• To improve your credibility
• To be more precise with language

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Example

• EXAMPLE  The room did not smell good.
• REVISION  The family kitchen reeked of an
  unknown rotten food.
• Why is the revision better than the original
  example?

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Common Tired Words

1. A lot / Lots
2. Good
3. Bad
4. Said
5. Thing
6. Gets
7. Interesting
8. Really
9. Nice
10. Happy

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Put the tired words to rest. Then, put better
alternatives in the dream bubble.
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Why are they better?
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Using the Same Idea Improve These

1. The man went down the street.
2. She cooked a desert.
3. The teacher said something to the boys.
4. The dog barked at something.
5. We were afraid when we looked down.

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Apply this to Analytical Writing

• Atticus has courage because he is always
  trying to be good with Scout during the good
  times and the bad. He teaches her about
  important and interesting things like when he
  tells her not to fight with anyone. This shows
  courage because he knows she is licked, but he
  tries to teach her a good lesson anyways.

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Caution

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vDW1lxwsK5_Q
• What is the problem?
• BEWARE of misuse or overuse of the thesaurus.

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Writing Workshop Assignment

• Part 1 Correct your own writing
• Choose at least 10 examples of poor word choice
  either tired or overdone words.
• On a separate sheet of paper, either copy and
  paste (on your computer) or just write out the
  sentences including those words.
• Then offer a more fitting word for the sentence.

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Part 2 Start from Scratch

1. Draw a picture of one of the most significant
   scenes from the novel. (in color)
2. On the back, describe in detail what is happening
   in the scene. (4-6 sentences)
3. Then, explain why you think this specific moment
   is so powerful. (4-6 sentences)
4. Use appropriate, precise and engaging word choice.