Student Worksheet

Specific Vocabulary - Activity Instructions

Great writers have a large vocabulary and know exactly the right word to choose to describe something very specifically. Practise word choice to take your writing from good to superb, exquisite and exemplary.

Step 1.

Read Where Happiness Hides.

Step 2.

Authors can express subtle shades of meaning through specific word choice. In the diagram below, whilst words of the same colour are all synonyms in a simplistic sense, they have slightly different meanings, and are used with different intentions, the further out the wheel you travel.

Using your dictionary, look up the meanings of the following words. Write down the definition and your own definition in your own words. You can view the emotions wheel on the web here.

Step 3.

Choose two of your own words to look up and add to the table.

Step 4.

Consider these images. Instead of using the words 'happy' and 'sad', are there more precise words you could choose to describe the mood in these images, or how they make you feel? Try to pick three words for each image.

Step 5.

Using the three words you have chosen, write a short paragraph describing the feelings of one of the characters from each image.

Taking It Further

Look through your library or bookshelf for other picture books aimed at younger audiences. They will also contain detailed illustrations which you can use to practise using figurative language.

Find an old piece of longer writing and edit it, looking specifically for where you have used simple verbs or adjectives, and try to replace them with more complex descriptions. Be careful, though; the more interesting word you choose might not mean exactly what you want it to mean in the context.

You can always image search the word you are trying to describe for pictures that will inspire you and help capture the mood.

Specific Vocabulary (home learning)

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