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English lesson plan · 12th grade (Year 13 in England) · 30 minutes

Advanced diction and nuance

Vocabulary

CCSS L.11-12.5.BCCSS L.11-12.6England: A-level English LanguageEngland: SAT Reading and WritingEngland: AP Language

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Advanced diction and nuance.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Etymology and advanced roots; Connotation and denotation

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Etymology and advanced roots; Connotation and denotation). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Use the word parts to choose the best definition. malicious (mal = bad) (very tired / forgetful / intending to harm / sick) → intending to harmPrompt: Combine the meanings of the parts shown in brackets.
  2. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for someone who talks a lot? (talkative / chatterbox / outgoing / sociable) → chatterboxPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.
  3. Use the word parts to choose the best definition. philanthropist (phil = love, anthrop = human) (someone who hates people / a collector of stamps / someone who helps others, often by giving money / someone who studies humans) → someone who helps others, often by giving moneyPrompt: Combine the meanings of the parts shown in brackets.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
  • Share the objective: Advanced diction and nuance. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes a deep, lasting dislike?
  • Step 1: Advanced vocabulary allows writers to express precise shades of meaning.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: antipathy
  • Answer: antipathy
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes a plan that is practical and achievable? (quixotic / idealistic / utopian / pragmatic) → pragmaticPrompt: Several choices are related; one matches exactly.
  2. Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes deliberately vague or evasive language? (explicit / equivocal / forthright / candid) → equivocalPrompt: Several choices are related; one matches exactly.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word best describes criticism that is harsh and cutting? (scathing / lukewarm / tentative / constructive) → scathingPrompt: Several choices are related; one matches exactly.
  2. Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes a plan that is practical and achievable? (utopian / quixotic / idealistic / pragmatic) → pragmaticPrompt: Several choices are related; one matches exactly.

Watch out for

  • Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
  • Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Etymology and advanced roots.
  • Use concrete materials: word cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-12.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Advanced diction and nuance

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes deliberately vague or evasive language?

    • A. forthright
    • B. equivocal
    • C. explicit
    • D. candid

  2. Question 2

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word best describes criticism that is harsh and cutting?

    • A. constructive
    • B. lukewarm
    • C. tentative
    • D. scathing

  3. Question 3

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes a plan that is practical and achievable?

    • A. pragmatic
    • B. utopian
    • C. idealistic
    • D. quixotic

  4. Question 4

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes a temporary situation that soon passes?

    • A. ephemeral
    • B. enduring
    • C. perpetual
    • D. perennial

  5. Question 5

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes a speaker who uses many more words than necessary?

    • A. terse
    • B. verbose
    • C. succinct
    • D. laconic

  6. Question 6

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes an argument that seems correct but is actually misleading?

    • A. sound
    • B. cogent
    • C. specious
    • D. compelling

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Answer key: Advanced diction and nuance

  1. 1. B. equivocal

  2. 2. D. scathing

  3. 3. A. pragmatic

  4. 4. A. ephemeral

  5. 5. B. verbose

  6. 6. C. specious