Blog Your Word Is Your Wand!
By Colette Hiller | Guest Blog
Your word is your wand!
As young writers, words are your everything. Which you choose and how you shape them is what makes your writing distinct. But the English language is so vast and rich – how do you even begin to take in new words? Or to know which to learn?
As a children’s writer, I wanted to
write a book of useful big words that kids would enjoy knowing and using. But
more than that, I wanted to make the discovery of these words as exciting as
the words discovered. My new book, Colossal Words for Kids, defines 75
big words. But move over Mr. Dictionary! For these are no ordinary definitions. Each of these colossal words is
defined in a simple rhyme. This helps the meaning stick in the mind. Plus, it’s
entertaining.
For example, take the word retaliate: The dictionary definition (‘To make an attack in return for a similar attack’) is hardly inspiring. But define it in
rhyme and everything changes! Say the rhyme below aloud. (Even if nobody else
is around!). Speak very clearly and try not to rush. And give any punch line a
bit of a punch!
Retaliate
If
somebody calls you an old kangaroo
You
might retaliate and call them one
too
If
somebody tries to give you a thwack
You
might retaliate and give them one
back
But
really you mustn’t respond in this way
No need
to retaliate – just walk away!
The reason to learn new words isn’t to sound like an irritating boffin! It’s that there is a marvellous feeling in knowing precisely the right word for something. Simple as that! It’s as satisfying as fitting a piece in a jigsaw. Who’d ever want to say second to last when instead you could say...penultimate!
Penultimate
You’ll find 8 lines inside this rhyme
the last one is the ultimate
the one that comes before the last
is known as the penultimate
Whatever is penultimate
Is next to last in line
And this is the penultimate
Of 8 lines in this rhyme!
English is full of words with different shades of the same meaning. Selecting the shade of word you’re after is the task and fun of the writer. Dangerous is similar to precarious, and yet they are slightly different.
Precarious
Humpty
Dumpty sat on a wall
And
what a poor decision!
Clearly,
he was in a most
precarious position
Didn’t
it seem obvious
that
danger lay ahead?
A
wall is a precarious
position
for an egg
The
reason it’s precarious
is
that it’s not secure
One
slip and little Humpty would be
scrambled
egg for sure!
“Words are the clothes thoughts wear.” This is a quote from the writer Samuel Beckett and is, I think, particularly relevant to you young writers. If you didn’t know a word for something, it would be harder to identify. Take the word Bravado. (Now there’s a lovely word to say aloud!) Once you know the word, you’ll recognise that quality when you see it.
Bravado
Although his knees were trembling
He spoke with great bravado
“I’m not at all
afraid to fight
A ten foot
avocado!
I’ve done this
kind of thing before,”
boasted young Ricardo
But inside he was terrified
And feeling desperado
In no
way could he ever slay
A ten foot avocado
For he was just a flea you see
who boasted with bravado
Finally young writers, I leave you with this last point: Knowing big words doesn’t make you sound long winded. On the contrary – it lets you get straight to the point, and to write with elegance and brevity!
Brevity
When you speak with brevity
you don’t bang on and on
You quickly make your point and you
don’t
faff or take too long
When you write with brevity
the very same is true
Why would you use 100 words
When 42 will do?
Colette Hiller is the author of Colossal Words for Kids, published by Quarto on May 9, 2024.
If you have a favourite rhyme from my book, I’d love to know which. If you decide to write your own rhyming definition for another word, I’d love to see it! You can contact me at www.colettehiller.com.
Published: Thu 16th May 2024