ABSTRACT
Common Core Language Standard 4.3 calls for students to “Use words and phrases to convey ideas precisely” as part of a more general statement that students should “Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening” (Common Core Standards, 2010). To further explore this standard, let’s think about what “convey ideas precisely” mean. Sometimes people communicate in ways that are vague and general. In good writing, however, language that clearly expresses whatever the author wants to say and doesn’t contain ambiguous and potentially confusing statements is important. In this chapter, we’ll explore two language tools that writers use to convey their ideas clearly and precisely: specific nouns and strong verbs, which allow readers to picture specific images authors try to create (Robb, 2001).
