Why did the writer say that?

Hello, and welcome to Myriora English! Writers choose their words on purpose. Some questions ask why a writer chose a word. The answer is about how the word makes you feel, or what it makes you picture.

Here's a way to work it out. The fox walked across the yard. The fox crept across the yard. Swap the word, and notice what changes. Walked just tells us it moved. Crept makes us picture it moving slowly and quietly, so that nobody sees it.

Now try one about a feeling. The wind howled round the old house. Howled is a sound that an animal makes. It makes the wind seem wild and a little frightening. So the writer wants us to feel uneasy.

Let's try one together. The children raced to the gate. Why did the writer choose raced, and not went? Say it out loud!

It shows they were fast and excited! Went would only tell us where they ended up.

Here's a common mistake. Saying that it makes the writing more interesting. That could be said about any word, so it doesn't answer the question. Say exactly what the word makes you picture or feel.

Your turn! Read the sentence. Why did the writer choose whispered? Pick the right card. You've got fifteen seconds, or pause the video. Go!

Time's up! It shows she didn't want to be heard! Whispering is speaking very quietly, and the sleeping guard explains why.

Quick review. Swap the word, and notice what changes. Ask what it makes you picture or feel. Say exactly what it does, not just that it's interesting. See you next time!