Word choice is the part of the
writing that deals with using rich, colorful, precise language. If a writer
is using good word choice, the writing should be very descriptive and clear.
The reader should feel like they are experiencing the same thing as the writer.
The reader should use lots of sensory words. For example, don't say, "The
dog was big and mean." Say, "A hundred pounds of snarling yellow
fur launched itself from the porch, straining at a rope thin as spaghetti."
That is word choice that allows you to make a picture in your head. The writer
should choose his words carefully, but the vocabulary still needs to sound
natural. The writing should not sound like the thesaurus has been overused.
What
is the word choice rubric and how do I use it to evaluate my child's writing?
Use the rubric to evaluate
the sample paper 1. Based on the rubric, decide for yourself what the
score should be.
Then view the score and
rationale for the paper to see if you were correct.
It may be helpful to print
off the rubric to have next to you as you read the story.
Repeat the process for
Sample Paper 2.
Word Choice Rubric
5 – Paper – Extremely
Clear, Visual, and Accurate
I picked just the right words for just the right places.
· All the words in my paper
fit. Each one seems just right.
· My words are colorful, snappy, vital, brisk and fresh. You won’t
find overdone, vague, or flowery language.
· Look at my energetic verbs!
· Some of the words and phrases are so vivid that the reader won’t
be able to forget them.
3 – Paper – Correct
But Not Striking
The words in my paper get the message across, but don’t capture anyone’s
imagination or attention.
· I used everyday words
pretty well, but I didn’t stretch for a new or better way to say things.
· Most of the time the reader will figure out what I mean even if a
few words are goofed up.
· Occasionally, I may have gone a bit overboard with words that tried
to impress the reader.
· My words aren’t really specific. Better, juicier details were
needed!
· There are as many tired out clichés as there are new, fresh
and original phrases.
1 – Paper: Confusing,
Misused Words, and Phrases Abound
My reader often is asking, “What did you mean by this?” I’m
a victim of vague wording and fuzzy phrasing.
· A lot of my words and
phrases are vague: “We liked to do things,” “We were friends
and stuff.”
· My words don’t make pictures yet. “Something neat happened.”
“It was awesome.”
· Some of my words are misused.
· Over and over I used the same words, over and over, and then over
and over again until my paper was over.
I have 3 special people in orgon. One of them is my cuson. He plays huoge
water baloon fights with me. His name is Aaron. Aaron and I play terifik
games together like tag, hide and go seek, and basketball and he lives in
orgon.
My Grandma also lives in orgon. She has a supper nintedow
that we play together and she has moovies to watch to.
My aunt lives in orgon and she takes me plases like Inchanted
villig. Her name is Cindy. I love the people in orgon.
I love my cat Cougar. I play with him by rolling a ball across
the living room floor and he chases it. The game he enjoys most is when
I take a string and flip it around. At night he cuddels on my bed. He acts
like a watchdog sometimes by looking out the window and swishing his tail
back and forth. My cat is not like other cats. He does not consiter milk
his favorite dish. My cat is a picky eater. Theres only a certain kind of
meat he likes. I get mad at my cat sometimes. He likes to stock up on a
bird or a mole and spring thow the air and land on top of it. I scrach him
in part where he iches and every morning I brush him. I appreciate my cat.
He is like a member of our family.
