1. Writing to Imagine, Explore and Entertain
Lesson 4
Writing to Imagine, Explore and Entertain

2. To understand how to use a thesaurus to improve our writing.
Lesson Objective
To understand how to use a thesaurus to improve our writing.

3. Starter
What other words can we use in place of the word
BIG

4. When/ why would we use a thesaurus?

5. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record three possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
He had to run down the stairs.

6. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record three possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
She felt nothing but horror when she saw a mouse.

7. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record three possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
There was a soft glow coming from under the door.

8. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record three possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
He felt hurt by the lies they told.

9. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record three possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
I had a terrible fight with my Mum.

10. Trickier Words…
Some words have many different meanings, and therefore it’s much harder to choose an appropriate synonym. For example, consider the word BAD.

11. BAD Bad can mean any of the following:
Having a harmful effect – He was a bad influence on her.
Making someone upset – She was given bad news.
Causing physical pain – It was a bad case of the flu.
Of poor quality – It was truly bad meal.
Lacking skill – The acting was bad.
Having an evil character – He was a bad man.

12. Choose your words carefully!
BAD
Therefore, some of the synonyms for bad may not be appropriate for certain sentences. Stress has a bad effect on our health. Stress has an immoral effect on our health.
Choose your
words carefully!

13. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record two possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
I had to break the twig in half.

14. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record two possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
He was a kind and good old man.

15. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record two possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
People often described her as short.

16. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record two possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
He was a kindly old man.

17. Word Hunt In pairs, you are to go on a ‘word hunt’ for synonyms.
Your task is to find and record two possible synonyms for the underlined word in each sentence that follows.
A nice smell came from the kitchen.

18. Task Take a look at your mini-saga one last time.
Choose three - five words that you think you can improve with the use of the thesaurus.
Underline these words and find a suitable replacement.

19. Task
We have now gone through a number of different stages to improve our original pieced of writing.
Using a clean piece of paper, write a good copy of your mini-saga.
Decorate or illustrate your page!

20. Plenary I have improved my writing.
I still need a bit of work to improve my writing.
My writing hasn’t improved at all.