POWER-OF-ONE
word bubble

"Short words are like fast friends. They will not let you down. Our tongue is rich in crisp, brisk, swift, short words. Make them the spine and heart of what you speak and write." – Richard Lederer

(Notice that every word in the above quotation is a short word - one syllable long only.
The full essay is on pages 699-701 in your Choices anthology.
There are also examples of "Power of One" stories by several students.)

TASK :
1. Warm- up: Find one syllable synonyms for these words:

verbs nouns
masticate chew     

requirement

 need
ambulate                        deluge                      
facilitate   odor  
propagate   firmament  
eviscerate   residence  
articulate   precipice  
notice   canine  
evaluate   feline  
aspire   automobile  
rendezvous   precipitation  
ponder   happiness  
listen   terror  

2. Read "The Case for Short Words" on pages 699-701 in your Choices anthology.
Reflect on what you learned here:

 

 

 

 

 

3. Write a "Power of One" story using at least 100 vivid one-syllable words.

Refer to "21 Suggestions for Writing" for topic ideas.
This counts as a double homework grade. (One grade is for the content of your story.
The second grade is for the number of one syllable words you used.)
Give yourself 1 point for each 1-syllable word, but subtract 2 points for each longer word.

4. Revise and spell check before passing in your story.  (sharing is optional)

 EXAMPLE #1: "My New Pool"

I really like to swim in my new pool. I love to dive in the cold, deep blue and skim on the top of the warm water. It’s fun to get all wet and then dry off in the hot sun. I read in my comfy red lounge chair and gaze at the green blades of grass. I smell each sweet rose. Clean air blow dries my hair. My skin tans and peels. Now and then I doze and dream of school and work and books. Then I wake from my nap to see I am still free. Free to glide in the clear depths of the pool, to gaze at the white cloud puffs in the sky, and to dream of a fresh new day. (MH)
 EXAMPLE #2:  "The Fall is a Dark Time."

The fall is a dark time.
The dank sky broods shades of gray and white;
It twists and swirls like a moth that flew close to a flame.
And the wind is cruel and harsh like a cold quiet knife.
It will force you to turn your back to the gale,
And bury your head deep in your warm coat.
The leaves twist like a dust devil of spite:
The clicks and snaps sound like a dark laugh.
Yet by some chance it pulls and lures me;
Its strong shades of rust, red and gold
In flight across the dark sky-
The bare tree limbs like old, dry bones in the sky of gray.
The fall is a dark time.
(AW)

ASSESSMENT     Self      Peer      Teacher

CONTENT          _____     _____     _____

WORD SCORE   _____     _____     _____
 (+1 for 1-syllable words)
(-2 for multisyllabic words)
MLR G3 Write pieces and deliver oral presentations that use structures appropriate to audience and purpose. Does Not Meet Partially Meets Meets Exceeds
Content – interesting, focused topic Does Not Meet Partially Meets Meets Exceeds
Word score – uses powerful, vivid 1-syllable words Does Not Meet Partially Meets Meets Exceeds

 

 

  
   

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