Diction Teacher Resources

Diction, or word choice, matters. Words have both denotative and connotative meanings. Words have sound and shape and shades of meanings. And writers consider these factors when crafting their sentences.

Get young writers thinking about the power of words with a writing traits lesson or lay the groundwork for a study of diction with a presentation about the importance of choosing the right words. Here’s a humorous video that stresses the importance of choosing words appropriate for your audience, and kids will get a kick out of staging a funeral for words they overuse in their writing. Banish boring verbs with a handout that list 250 substitutes for went.

What study of diction would be complete without a lesson that looks at the way William Shakespeare’s uses words in a soliloquy from King Henry IV, Part II, while you can engage Star Wars fans with lesson that uses diction and syntax to transform Lucas’s film into a Shakespearean drama.

A key element of ELA CORE, college entrance, and AP exams is the analysis of diction and tone. This presentation is loaded with examples and practice exercises to prepared students for such exams.

Whether new to teaching or an experienced veteran, whether looking for lesson that encourage writers or activities that prepare learners for exams, the teacher-curated resources in Lesson Planet’s collection are designed to support your curriculum needs.