1. Using more precise words that fit particular situations while writing
Shades of Meaning
Move Slowly
Using more precise words that fit particular situations while writing

2. Although there may be words that have the same meaning, there are usually slight differences.

3. For example: cross and furious

4. The word ‘Walk’
Stroll wander trudge swagger stride tread shuffle creep

5. What do these words mean?
stroll – to describe walking for pleasure without hurrying.

6. wander – to describe walking without specific purpose

7. trudge – to describe walking slowly with effort, usually in a tiring and long journey

8. swagger – to describe walking as if you are very important

9. stride – to describe walking fast, taking big steps

10. tread – to describe taking a step on or over something

11. shuffle – to describe walking slowly, without taking your feet off the ground

12. creep – to describe walking without making any noise because you do not want people to notice you.
Crept is the past tense of creep.

13. stroll wander swagger shuffle
Use some of the words in order from weakest to strongest:
stroll
wander
swagger
shuffle

14. Now try it:
beautiful
pretty
cute
gorgeous

16. Write the weakest words first:
Grumpy, cross , furious.
Eat, gobble, nibble.
Sip, swig, swallow, gulp.
Wreck, destroy, damage.
Shining, sparkling, glittering, dazzling.

17. Write the weakest words first:
Pretend, fake, phony.
Boring, dull, tedious, uninteresting.
Lump, particle, speck, chunk.
Great, big, enormous, gigantic.
Awake, sleepy, tired, asleep.

18. Complete using the strongest word:
John………..the door loudly. (shut, slammed, banded).
The towels were ……. (hairy, scratchy, rough).

19. Complete using the strongest word:
May’s weather was …..( scorching, hot, warm).
“What do you think you are doing?” ……..the referee. (whispered, snapped, yelled).
Joe was……when his puppy went missing. (sad, depressed, tearful, heartbroken).

20. Why use shades of meaning?
Use shades of meaning to increase your vocabulary, and to pick precise words for a specific situation.