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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) (sick / intending to harm / very tired / forgetful) → 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 is confident? (arrogant / self-assured / bold / assertive) → arrogantPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.
  3. Use the word parts to choose the best definition. amorphous (a = without, morph = shape) (very loving / changing shade / very large / without a clear shape) → without a clear shapePrompt: 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 temporary situation that soon passes? (perennial / enduring / perpetual / ephemeral) → ephemeralPrompt: 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? (forthright / candid / explicit / equivocal) → 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? (lukewarm / constructive / tentative / scathing) → scathingPrompt: Several choices are related; one matches exactly.
  2. Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes an argument that seems correct but is actually misleading? (compelling / sound / specious / cogent) → speciousPrompt: 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 best describes criticism that is harsh and cutting?

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

  2. Question 2

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

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

  3. Question 3

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes someone who readily believes things without evidence?

    • A. discerning
    • B. doubting
    • C. cynical
    • D. credulous

  4. Question 4

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes a person who is careful to avoid offending others?

    • A. brusque
    • B. tactless
    • C. tactful
    • D. abrasive

  5. Question 5

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

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

  6. Question 6

    Choose the word that matches the description most precisely. Which word describes a deep, lasting dislike?

    • A. antipathy
    • B. apathy
    • C. empathy
    • D. affinity

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Answer key: Advanced diction and nuance

  1. 1. C. scathing

  2. 2. A. ephemeral

  3. 3. D. credulous

  4. 4. C. tactful

  5. 5. A. equivocal

  6. 6. A. antipathy