Identifyexplain how meaning is enhanced through choice of

Identify/explain how meaning is enhanced through choice of words (2 g) Lesson 1 - Fiction English is an amazing language. It can also be quite confusing. We have so many words - and many of them have very similar meanings. In this lesson we will look at why authors choose to use particular words and what effect those words have.

Identify/explain how meaning is enhanced through choice of words Meaning of words and inference – In order to master this skill you need to be a solid, regular reader and read books that will challenge you. In good, challenging books, authors don’t randomly choose words because they sound nice. Nor do they pick words because they look impressive. Each word is carefully considered to give the maximum effect. Example: Jenny walked nervously towards the door. It was painted red. There is nothing particularly difficult about this example in terms of understanding it. But let’s look at some of the words in more detail. What does the word ‘nervously’ suggest about what Jenny is doing?

Identify/explain how meaning is enhanced through choice of words Example: Jenny walked nervously towards the door. It was painted red. Meaning of words and inference – As you will discover, there is a combination of meaning of words and inference skills needed when we look at why an author might choose particular words. We need to look at the whole section as there may well be other clues hiding there too. . . 1. We need to know what the word means 2. We need to know what the effect of that particular word is. a. What does the word ‘nervously’ suggest about what Jenny is doing? Let’s look at this in 2 parts 1. Nervously means she is anxious or apprehensive. 2. This shows she is scared and might suggest she has not been there before. This is also backed up by the fact that the door is painted red as this is something that Jenny would have known if she had been there before.

Read the following text and answer the questions on the next page.

Learning check: 1. What does the word ‘intrusively’ suggest about the school bell? 1. What is effect of the word ‘scrutinised’ when people were looking at Jackson? 1. What is the effect of the ‘object’ when describing Thomas? Remember the strategies… Meaning of words Inference You do. . . Write the answers to these questions on a piece of paper, so you can then check your understanding, then click one more time for the answers. ANSWERS: 1. The word intrusively suggests an annoying welcome sound that is difficult to ignore. 1. The word scrutinised means to study something in great detail. It appeared to Jackson that people were looking at him closely, probably because he was new. 2. The word object means something solid. It makes Jackson seem more nervous about his first day as he doesn’t see Thomas as a boy, let alone a potential friend.

Identify/explain how meaning is enhanced through choice of words Question: What does the word ‘hideous’ suggest about how Jackson thought school would be like? First: let’s look at the meaning of the word The word hideous means extremely unpleasant. Second: let’s look at the effect of this word This shows that he thought his first few days at school wouldn’t go well.

Identify/explain how meaning is enhanced through choice of words Question: What does the word ‘endeavors’ suggest about how Jackson viewed his latest activities. Answer: This tell us that JAckson was very nervous and anxious for his first day of school because he thought it would go very badly.

Learning check: You do. . . Task: Now, complete these questions below about the rest of the text - send your answers to your teacher when you are finished.

Questions: 1. What does the word “punishing” suggest about how Jackson’s first few days were like? 2. How does the words “as always” tell us about Aunty Sylvia? 3. How does the word “exceedingly” tell us how the teachers were patient. 4. What does the word “guidance” suggest about a conversation that Jackson and Auntie Sylvia had previously? 5. What does the word “appreciated” tell us about how Jackson took Auntie Sylvia’s help? 6. Why might people find Thomas’ nickname “Tiny” funny in this context? Remember to either write the answers on a google doc and send it to your teacher, or on a piece of paper. If you write it on paper, you will need to take a picture of your work and send it to your teacher.

Well done! Now send your answers to your teacher.