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The RIGHT Words! An Easy Approach to Choosing Precise, Connotative Language

Students will explore how differences in denotation and connotation impact the meaning of words, sentences, paragraphs. Students will practice an easily applied strategy for finding the precise, connotative words they need.
Marie Noorani
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(1)
Class

What's included

2 live meetings
1 hrs 50 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

This class is designed to help students make effective word choices when writing paragraphs, essays, or papers. It begins by defining and discussing the two characteristics that most impact word meaning: connotation and denotation. Students will examine groups of synonyms in which connotation and denotation create both subtle and dramatic differences in word meanings and explore how these differences impact sentences and paragraphs. Students will discuss the importance of choosing words that have precise denotation and appropriate connotation and learn an easily applied strategy to find words they need to best communicate their ideas.  
NOTE: If you are interested in this class, but don't see a session that will work with your schedule, just send me a request! I'm happy to oblige!

Learning Goals

At the end of this class, students will have more knowledge about what gives words their meaning, gain a deeper understanding of how word choice impacts writing, and learn an easily applied strategy for using using an online thesaurus and dictionary to improve their word choices.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
There is no violent or sensitive content in this class.
Supply List
I will provide all materials needed for this class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
No outside resources or materials are required for this class. I will provide the exercises, handouts, or assignments needed.
Joined December, 2020
5.0
1reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
My superpower is teaching middle school students how to write better. This singular objective has been the consuming passion of my 21-year teaching career. I believe that clear, effective writing is not a vague, inherent ability that students either possess or don't possess; it is a skill that any student can learn by applying simple, concrete strategies. No matter their current writing proficiency, all students can easily up their game and improve their organization, content, and style. Communication through written language is a unique, almost miraculous, human ability that has fascinated me my entire life. I know that learning to write well is not merely a necessity for students; it can also be a satisfying, intellectually fulfilling endeavor. 

I can say confidently that I have enjoyed working with all types of middle school students: the ones who "push the envelope", the quiet ones, the high-achievers, the ones who need a little extra motivation, the quirky ones...I genuinely look forward to meeting your child and forging a learning partnership. 

I approach life as a great adventure. Curiosity and creativity drive me. Although I retired from full-time teaching this year, I am still extremely active (singing in a band, writing and producing music, maintaining a successful studio art practice, taking tap-dancing lessons, kayaking on the river next to my house, working out). I try to learn or do something new every single day. 

Since I’ve just retired, this is my first year on Outschool.  However, below are some unsolicited, supportive comments I've received from former students and parents over the years:

“You create better writers with your instruction. My son is proof of that. He became an exceptional writer after being taught by you and went on to college with a four year scholarship. Neither his dad or I had much formal education or learned to write well. Thank you.”— L.K.

“What you taught me in 8th grade writing class has carried me through LA-9 Honors, LA-10, and AP Language Arts and Composition.” — E.D.

“This is an honest endorsement. My daughter doesn’t like school in general, but she enjoys your writing class and fully understands the value in it. I never have to pester her or really even encourage her to do her writing homework. She thoroughly enjoys it.”— B.W.

“The part of your class I enjoy most is revising sentences. Trying to make them more concise is like a game.” — B.Z.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$30

for 2 classes

2x per week, 1 week
55 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
2-4 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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