Impact of Word Choice
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Objective
I can evaluate how specific word choices affect the tone and meaning of a text.
Part 1 of 4
Warm-up video
Khan Academy · 5:05Vetted channel
We don't generate video — this one is by Khan Academy on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 4
Key concepts
3 concepts
- 1
Tone shows how the author feels about the topic they're writing about.
- 2
Authors use different levels of language, called register, depending on the situation.
- 3
We can figure out an author's attitude by looking at their word choice and the feelings those words create.
Part 3 of 4
Practice
3 questions
Which of the following best describes 'tone' in writing?
The video mentions that sociologists and linguists call the level of formality or informality in language:
Part 4 of 4
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“The author uses the phrase 'oceans of ink' to describe the amount written about Chicago and New York hot dogs. What does this word choice suggest about the author's attitude toward the attention these hot dogs receive?”
Sample answer included in the free materials
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