Transcript Standard 1.2 Writing Strategies:Use precise language

Standard 1.2 Writing Strategies
Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details,
appropriate modifiers, and the active rather than the passive voice.
Precise
Language
Number of Questions
The writing strategies section of
the CAHSEE contains 12
multiple choice questions.
There are three questions on
the CAHSEE that test your
understanding of Standard 1.2
Purpose
The purpose of the module is to
help you use vivid and detailed
words.
What is Using Precise Language?
To use precise language is to
 rephrase
or change a sentence or word to
make sentences more effective.
 add vivid and detailed words.
Using Precise Language
There are three main ways to use precise
language:
Action Verbs
2. Sensory Details
3. Active Voice
1.
Action Verbs
An action verb helps visualize.
Choosing the best action verb is the most
crucial.
All of the words mean
entered, but each verb gives
a different meaning.
For example:
Juan came into the kitchen.
Juan slithered into the kitchen.
Juan swaggered into the kitchen.
Sensory Details
Authors use sensory details to make the text
more realistic.
Sensory details include words that relate to:
 Smells
 Taste
 Touch
 Sights
 Sounds
(moldy, stench, lemony)
(sweet, tart, spicy)
(smooth, sharp, soft)
(colors, sizes)
(buzz, clang, whisper)
Active Voice
Sentences written in the active voice show the
subject performing an action.
Which sentence
Example:
is easier to
“I heard the water splashing.”
understand?
or
“The splashing water was heard by me.”
Active Voice (cont)
Example:
Which sentence
1. I heard the water splashing.
is easier to
or
understand?
2. The splashing water was heard by me.
The first sentence is easier to understand because
it is written in the active voice.
ALWAYS TRY TO WRITE IN THE ACTIVE VOICE
Example Question
Which of the following words is the BEST way
to express the meaning of the word thing in
sentence 1?
object
B. item
C. creature
D. article
A.
The Abominable Snowman
The Abominable Snowman is a hairy,
apelike thing that is said to live in the
Himalayan Mountains of Nepal. (2) Natives of
this region have believed in the existence of
this beast for many centuries. (3) However,
since no one has ever found a Yeti (the
Nepalese name for the Abominable
Snowman), doubts still remain.
(1)
Example Question
Which of the following words is the BEST
way to express the meaning of the word
thing in sentence 1?
A.
B.
C.
D.
object
item
creature
article
Using the word creature
instead of thing gives
the text a more
vivid description.