The author's choice of words
I can say why a writer chose a word and what picture it gives the reader.
For grown-ups: this lesson in words
Years 3 to 6 · English
The author's choice of words: I can say why a writer chose a word and what picture it gives the reader.
Here is a short piece about a windy morning. Read it carefully.
The wind howled. The writer could have written the wind blew. Why pick howled?
Howled is the loud noise a dog makes. It makes the wind sound loud and wild.
That is the impression the word gives. Writers choose words to give us a picture.
Picture: A short text called "Windy morning" with a picture of an autumn leaf: "The wind howled around the house. Mei pulled her coat tight and hurried out. Leaves danced along the path in front of her. By the time she reached school, her cheeks were as red as apples." "howled" is underlined.
Your turn: The wind howled around the house. What impression does howled give of the wind?
Picture: A short text called "Windy morning" with a picture of an autumn leaf: "The wind howled around the house. Mei pulled her coat tight and hurried out. Leaves danced along the path in front of her. By the time she reached school, her cheeks were as red as apples."
Choose one:
- Loud and wild
- Soft and gentle
- Warm and still
Answer
The answer: Loud and wild
Loud and wild. Howled is a big loud noise, so the wind sounds loud and wild.
Picture: A short text called "Windy morning" with a picture of an autumn leaf: "The wind howled around the house. Mei pulled her coat tight and hurried out. Leaves danced along the path in front of her. By the time she reached school, her cheeks were as red as apples." "howled" is underlined.
Same text. This time, look at what the leaves did.
Leaves danced along the path. Can leaves really dance? No. Dancing is something people do.
When a writer gives a thing a human action, like dancing, that is personification.
It makes the leaves seem alive and playful, as if they are enjoying the wind.
Picture: A short text called "Windy morning" with a picture of an autumn leaf: "The wind howled around the house. Mei pulled her coat tight and hurried out. Leaves danced along the path in front of her. By the time she reached school, her cheeks were as red as apples." "danced" is underlined.