Wordy Workings

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is a fill-in-the-blank activity that focuses on the concept of pleonasm, which involves using more words than necessary to convey a message. Students are provided with a list of words and must select the appropriate term to complete each sentence about pleonasm. The sentences cover various aspects of pleonasm, including its definition, its intentional use, its Greek etymology, and the stylistic considerations it involves. The worksheet also distinguishes between pleonasm that occurs due to syntactical arrangements and that which is purely redundant.

The aim of the worksheet is to teach students about the nuances of pleonasm as a linguistic feature. By completing the sentences, students learn how pleonasm can be both a deliberate tool for emphasis and an accidental result of verbose sentence construction. The exercise educates students on the etymology of the term and helps them recognize when pleonasm may arise in language, both intentionally and unintentionally. This activity enhances students’ vocabulary, grammar skills, and their ability to critically assess and edit writing for clarity and conciseness.