Question 14

A thesaurus will best help a student to vary word choice during the revision stage of a composition.

Using a thesaurus provides students with a variety of synonyms and antonyms, allowing them to enhance their vocabulary and improve the richness of their writing by selecting more precise or varied words.

A) A grammar handbook

A grammar handbook primarily focuses on the rules and structure of language, such as sentence construction, punctuation, and syntax. While it is an essential tool for improving writing quality, it does not directly assist in varying word choice, which is crucial during the revision process.

B) A dictionary

A dictionary is a valuable resource for understanding the meanings, pronunciations, and usages of words. However, while it can help clarify definitions, it does not specifically provide alternatives or variations for word choice, making it less effective than a thesaurus for this particular need.

C) An MLA handbook

An MLA handbook is designed to guide students in formatting citations and structuring academic papers according to the Modern Language Association style. Its focus is not on vocabulary enhancement or word choice, rendering it irrelevant for a student aiming to vary word choices during revision.

D) A thesaurus

A thesaurus is specifically designed for expanding vocabulary by providing synonyms and antonyms. This resource is ideal for students looking to enhance their writing by varying word choice, making it the best option for the revision stage of a composition.

Conclusion

A thesaurus is the most effective resource for helping students vary word choice during the revision stage of a composition, as it directly offers alternative words that can enrich their writing. In contrast, the other options—grammar handbooks, dictionaries, and MLA handbooks—serve different purposes that do not focus on enhancing vocabulary. Thus, they fall short in addressing the specific need for varied word choice.