Poetry Writing- Word Choice

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: little sister

REWORD: young sibling

Which of the following explains why the reworded is TERRIBLE?

• Young sibling doesn't tell the reader how young the sibling is. However, little sister does. Really? Please don't choose this one!

• Young sibling sounds formal and cold. It doesn't show caring and puts distance between the speaker and the sister which is not what the poem is about.

• Young sibling is too general. It doesn't give the very specific description the original poem does.

• Young sibling sounds less interesting than little sister. Poets always try to make their poems sound interesting.

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: My hands hurt

REWORD: My limbs pain

Which of the following explains why the reworded is TERRIBLE?

• My hands hurt uses an effective sound device- alliteration- to create rhythm. Also, my limbs pain does not make sense because hurt is a verb, but pain is a noun.

• My hands hurt are basic words and not as academic as limbs pain. I actually think the reword is stronger.

• My hands hurt is a simile which makes the poem more interesting. Limbs pain is weird.

• My hands hurt is strong imagery because I can feel that pain. Also, My hands hurt uses an effective sound device- alliteration- to create rhythm. Also, my limbs pain does not make sense because hurt is a verb, but pain is a noun.

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: squeezing

REWORD: pressure

Explain why squeezing is a better word choice than pressure. Make sure you go back to the poems and think about how the word fits into the whole picture.

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: I don't mind

REWORD: It doesn't bother me

Explain why I don't mind is a better word choice than It doesn't bother me. Make sure you go back to the poems and think about how the word fits into the whole picture.

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: thinks no one will bother her

REWORD: believes others will leave her alone

Explain why the original is a better word choice than the reword. Make sure you go back to the poems and think about how the word fits into the whole picture.

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: when I'm around

REWORD: when I am nearby

Explain why the original is a better word choice than the reword. Make sure you go back to the poems and think about how the word fits into the whole picture.

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: and they won't if I can help it.

REWORD: and they do when I am able to do something.

Explain why the original is a better word choice than the reword. Make sure you go back to the poems and think about how the word fits into the whole picture.

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: I try

REWORD: I give it my best shot

Explain why the original is a better word choice than the reword. Make sure you go back to the poems and think about how the word fits into the whole picture.

The following questions will ask you to compare the original wording of Grimes poem to the TERRIBLE reworded version of the poem. You will need to explain why the reworded section is not as effective as the original.

ORIGINAL: 'cause she believes in me.

REWORD: because she thinks I can.

Explain why the original is a better word choice than the reword. Make sure you go back to the poems and think about how the word fits into the whole picture.