Precise Language and Sensory Details

04/26 Precise Language and Sensory Details

Objective

I will learn how to make my writing more precise by combining sentences, using active verbs, and switching proper nouns with pronouns.

C.H.A.M.P.S.

• C - 0 - unless called on

• H - raise your hand

• A - notes, quiz

• M - at your desk

• P - answering questions, taking notes

• S - 80% or better on the Study Island quiz

Expectations

Pay Attention

Take Notes

Stay in your seat

No games or YouTube while Mr. Brown is teaching

Raise your hand to speak

Respond when called on

Do your best on the Study Island quiz

Precise Language

Have you ever met someone who talks too much? He or she may use too many unimportant words to say something simple or to explain something that only needs a few words to describe. Some people "talk too much" when they write, too.

When you write, it is important to fill your work with rich and colorful details, but it is important to be precise when you do. "Being precise" is another way of saying "don't talk too much when you write." For example, instead of saying that elephants are "really, really, really big," you could say that elephants are "giant." Being precise means using the right words to say what you want to say. Below are more ways to keep your writing precise.

Multiple Choice

What is another way of being precise when we write?

• Use as many words as possible.

• "Don't talk too much when you write."

• Being extremely descriptive in your writing.

• Being very vague in your writing.

Remove extra words that do not add meaning.

Any place is fine with me.

is better than

Any kind of place is fine with me.

Multiple Choice

Which word was removed to make the sentence more precise?

• Kind

• Place

• Fine

• Me

Change phrases into single words

The brown-haired girl smiled.

is better than

The girl with brown hair smiled.

Multiple Choice

Which two words were combined in the last sentence to make it more precise?

• girl and brown

• girl and with

• hair and smile

• brown and hair

Use active verbs

Jerry opened a gift.

is better than

A gift was opened by Jerry.

Multiple Choice

Which action verb was used in the last sentence to make it more precise?

• Jerry

• opened

• gift

• by

Use powerful words (a thesaurus can help you).

The puppy was not obedient.

is better than

The puppy did not behave very well.

Multiple Choice

Which powerful word made the last sentence more precise?

• Obedient

• puppy

• well

• not

Remember!

Being precise means using the right words. It does not mean writing less! Precise writers always get their point across. They just do it with the most powerful words they can.

Multiple Choice

What does precise writing mean?

• Writing less

• Writing more

• Choosing powerful words to get your point across.

• Being extremely descriptive in your writing.