Year 6 English: Word choice and its effect on the reader
Part of the Year 6 English writing for purpose: narrative, non-fiction, persuasive and discursive chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Word choice and its effect on the reader
Each word choice changes the effect on the reader. A stronger verb, such as snarled, gives a fiercer picture than barked. A precise adjective, such as grand, gives a clearer idea than big. Choose words for the effect you want.
Two versions, two effects
| Version A | Version B | The difference |
|---|---|---|
| The dog barked at the postman. | The dog snarled at the postman. | snarled is fiercer, so the dog seems more threatening |
| The sun was warm on the hill. | The sun blazed on the hill. | blazed is stronger, so the heat seems fierce |
| She walked into the room. | She crept into the room. | crept is quieter and more secret |
| It was a big house. | It was a grand house. | grand suggests impressive and splendid |
Key ideas
- A stronger verb creates a stronger picture.
- A precise adjective gives a clearer and more exact idea.
- Choose the word whose meaning creates the effect you want.
Method. Compare the two verbs.
- Compare the verbs. Barked and snarled both describe the dog.barked, snarled
- Choose the fiercer. Snarled is a fiercer verb, so the dog seems more threatening.snarled
- Write the answer. The dog snarled at the postman.
Check. Snarled is the fiercer verb. ✓
Method. Think about what each word tells the reader.
- Compare the words. Big is general; grand is more precise.big, grand
- Choose the precise word. Grand suggests impressive and splendid.grand
- Write the answer. grand
Check. Grand is more precise. ✓
Method. Think about the speed and the sound of the movement.
- Think about the sound. Crept describes slow, quiet movement.slow and quiet
- Choose the verb. Crept gives a secret, careful picture.crept
- Write the answer. crept
Check. Crept is quieter. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a very strong word used too often can lose its effect. Use strong words with care.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to write one sentence with a plain verb, then the same sentence with a stronger verb. Ask which one a reader would remember.
Exercise 12B Practice: word choice and effect
Method. Compare the two words, and decide which gives the stronger picture or feeling.
- Compare the words. The two sentences differ in one word choice.The dog barked at the postman. / The dog snarled at the postman.
- Explain the effect. snarled is fiercer, so the dog seems more threateningThe dog snarled at the postman.
- Write the answer. The dog snarled at the postman.
Check. The word choice changes the effect. ✓
Watch out. Choose the word whose meaning suits the picture the writer wants to create.
Method. Compare the two words, and decide which gives the stronger picture or feeling.
- Compare the words. The two sentences differ in one word choice.The sun was warm on the hill. / The sun blazed on the hill.
- Explain the effect. blazed is stronger, so the heat seems fierceThe sun blazed on the hill.
- Write the answer. The sun blazed on the hill.
Check. The word choice changes the effect. ✓
Watch out. Choose the word whose meaning suits the picture the writer wants to create.
Method. Compare the two words, and decide which gives the stronger picture or feeling.
- Compare the words. The two sentences differ in one word choice.She walked into the room. / She crept into the room.
- Explain the effect. crept is quieter and more secretShe crept into the room.
- Write the answer. She crept into the room.
Check. The word choice changes the effect. ✓
Watch out. Choose the word whose meaning suits the picture the writer wants to create.
Method. Compare the two words, and decide which gives the stronger picture or feeling.
- Compare the words. The two sentences differ in one word choice.It was a big house. / It was a grand house.
- Explain the effect. grand suggests impressive and splendidIt was a grand house.
- Write the answer. It was a grand house.
Check. The word choice changes the effect. ✓
Watch out. Choose the word whose meaning suits the picture the writer wants to create.
Method. Choose a verb that shows how the dog moves.
- Find the verb. Walked is a plain verb.walked
- Choose a stronger verb. Crept shows a careful, quiet movement.crept
- Write the answer. The dog crept into the garden.
Check. The verb shows care. ✓
Method. Think about which word says more.
- Compare. Nice is general; delightful is more exact.general
- Choose. Delightful gives a precise sense of pleasure.delightful
- Write the answer. delightful
Check. Delightful is more exact. ✓
Method. Think about meaning.
- Compare the words. Two words can mean different things.different meaning
- Explain the effect. The reader then feels or sees something different.feels something different
- Write the answer. A different word has a different meaning, so the reader feels or sees something different.
Check. The meaning and the effect change. ✓
Method. Compare the two words, and decide which gives the stronger picture or feeling.
- Compare the words. The two sentences differ in one word choice.The wind was strong. / The wind howled.
- Explain the effect. howled creates a stronger, more frightening soundThe wind howled.
- Write the answer. The wind howled.
Check. The word choice changes the effect. ✓
Watch out. Choose the word whose meaning suits the picture the writer wants to create.
Method. Think about the register of a report.
- Find the register. A report needs formal vocabulary.formal
- Choose the word. Obtain is more formal than get.obtain
- Write the answer. obtain
Check. Obtain suits a report. ✓
Method. Choose an adjective that shows a clear picture.
- Choose the noun. Bike is the noun.bike
- Add the adjective. Gleaming shows that the bike is shining.gleaming
- Write the answer. The gleaming bike waited by the gate.
Check. The sentence uses a precise adjective. ✓
Method. Compare the picture each sentence makes.
- Compare. It was dark is plain; the night swallowed the town is a strong picture.strong picture
- Choose. The second sentence has a stronger effect.The night swallowed the town.
- Write the answer. The night swallowed the town.
Check. The second sentence is stronger. ✓
Method. Think about what a short sentence does.
- Think about the pace. A short sentence makes the reader slow down.slow down
- Think about the effect. It can create tension or surprise.tension
- Write the answer. A short sentence can create a pause or a sudden effect.
Check. A short sentence changes the pace. ✓
Method. Look for the more exact verb.
- Compare. Made a noise is general; chirped is exact.exact
- Choose. Chirped names the sound precisely.The bird chirped
- Write the answer. The bird chirped
Check. Chirped is more precise. ✓
Method. Choose a word that suggests a feeling.
- Choose the word. Cosy suggests safety.cosy
- Write the sentence. The word creates a warm, safe picture.warm glow
- Write the answer. The cosy cottage welcomed us with its warm glow.
Check. The word suggests safety. ✓