WordCommunications 101 For High School

To do list:

• Power of words• Making good Choices• Grammar usages• Do’s and Don’ts• Building creativity

So what’s the word?O Why are words important?O What do they say about the choices

we make?

WordsO Single elements of speech and

writing used to create sentences and express ideas

O ExpressO InformO Entertain

Context O What does it

mean to say something out of context?

O Defined as: the circumstances that form the setting of language

Style

Denotation: the literal or primary meaning of a word or phrase

Connotation: an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning

Formal vs. informal

DoO Precise nouns: Make your thoughts clear for clear understanding

O Adjectives: Words that describe nouns

O Dense words: words that carry weight (one word that can substitute a phrase)

DoO Be descriptive

O Power verbs: Creative states of being

O Adverbs: Words that describe other verbs

Don’tO SWEAR!!!

O Use broken English or improper grammar *Note: Slang is not broken English*

O Words to avoid using excessively:Like, thing, stuff, good, bad, something, it, pretty, ugly, nice, sucks, mad, sad, happy, ok, so.

Tools to get you started O Thesauruses: reference tool similar

to a dictionary that lists words in groups of synonyms and related concepts

HomeworkO Go home and listen to music. Chose

a song that best represent who you are or something that you really enjoy. Print out the lyrics and bring it to class.