by: Connie Casserly
Grades 6-12
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Connie
_Page_1.jpg "Writing - 'Just Say, 'NO!' to Dull Writing")
This year-long activity,
Just Say, 'NO!' to Dull Writing has
always been one of my star Middle and High School lesson plans. After I handed it out, I
explained to the students that they were required to refer to it for any writing-graded or non-graded. Also,
I made a poster of it to hang in the classroom and I taped a copy of the list
to each desk for continual writing reinforcement.
The Taboo Words and Phrases list and
coordinating lessons are crucial for empowering students to write clear,
specific sentences instead of those with meaningless word choices and weak
structures.
Here
are some suggestions for using this product:
1. The
first day of school, hand out the Taboo
Words & Phrases list to every student. Explain that they are to refer
to it every time that they revise a draft of an essay, an original poem or
fiction piece, or a narrative article. Mention that even if they only revise
for these particular words and phrases, their writing will dramatically improve.
2.
Discuss that
·
when they
use these weak and clichéd words and phrases, their writing is vague,
emotionless, and tells instead of shows.
·
no matter
what type of writing they are composing, students should strive to create word
pictures.
·
their
writing must show, not tell, and to do this they must use concrete, specific
nouns and adjectives.
·
Verbs form
the backbone of writing, and should always show action as well as the emotion
of the subject performing the action.
_Page_3.jpg "Taboo Words & Phrases List")
3. Write
some sentences on the board that use these weak words and phrases, and have
students revise them for strength and clarity.
4.
Repeat this information over and over to the students and address it on their
final drafts.
The Taboo Words & Phrases list also
works as a poster to hang in the classroom. For a poster, add the following
information:
Effective Writing:
-Shows
instead of tells
-Creates
word pictures
-Uses
concrete, specific nouns and adjectives
-Forms
strong sentences-writing's backbone- with verbs that show action and emotion
A
former student, who is now a senior in college, asked me to send it to her. On
my Facebook Profile page she said, "Mrs. C- I am tutoring at CNU's writing
center and have to do a presentation on making writing "concise and
precise." Could you send me a copy of your taboo words list please? It's
been and will continue to be the best advice on writing well that I've found
"(Olga S).
When
this Taboo Words and Phrases list
impacts your students' thinking and writing, it will become a lifelong tool
just as it did for Olga.
TEACH IT WRITE – BUILD POWERFUL ACADEMIC HOMES
