Word ChoiceAppropriateness

Making your essays clearer and more engaging for the

reader

Word Choice

Face-to-faceThe listener gains meaning from the speaker not only form the words:

Tone Facial ExpressionsBody Language

And, the ability to have the give and take of dialogue

WritingSay what you mean so the reader receives your true meaning

Leave no room for interpretation– Tone– Formal versus Informal Language–Word Choice – Exact Words –

denotation versus connotation

Tone

• What feeling does the writer want to project to the reader?

• What is the author’s attitude about the topic?

annoyance

sarcastic Authoritative

questioning

Educated, informative

humorous

Choose an appropriate tone

• Determine the topic• Decide your purpose for writing

• To entertain• To inform• To persuade• To describe• To evaluate• To narrate

• Determine your audience – formal vs informal

The Day the Elephant Ate My Shorts

AIDS

Stop Smoking

Today

Formal versus Informal LanguageInformal – Ordinary conversation; short sentences and common words including slang, contractions and references to everyday objects and activities

Formal – Impersonal language of educated people; complex sentences and large vocabulary

P 850 exercise 16-1

Word Choice

• Words have many meanings in the English Language

• The meanings are either determined by the denotation or the connotation

• Denotation – dictionary definition• Connotation – implied meaning or sinuation

based on emotional or cultural useExamples:• – He is such a snake in the grass. • - Juliet is the apple of his eye.

Connotations

• ..\Videos\RealPlayer Downloads\Lesson 14a - CONNOTATIONS - English Vocabulary - YouTube.flv

Other Word Choice Tips“What Not to Use”

• 1. Jargon – specialized vocabulary in specific fields

• Convenient and necessary for people in the field to have common language

• Be Careful!! – reader may feel confused or excluded

Examples – Jargon - The government intends to privatize federal land.Clear – The government intends to sell federal land to private buyers. P 852 exercise 16-2

Euphemisms

• 2. Euphemisms – plain truths dressed attractively so not to offend– Died - “passed away” “went to meet his

maker” “raised up”– Obese - “fluffy”, “large boned”,

“overweight”, “large framed”– Pimples – “Blemishes”

Slang

• 3. Slang - Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often used as a euphemism to identify with one's peers.

• Examples – “That’s cool” – good, satisfactory, alright“Look at that ice in his ear”- diamondsPage 853 – Exercise 16-3

Cliches

• 4. expressions usually figurative and culturally relevant– “dead last” – finally – “Hard as a rock” – unbreakable– “Tip of the iceberg” – turning point, final

action- “piece of cake” – easy

Bias Free LanguageUse words and phrases that do not insult the reader by avoiding words that include:• Sexist language – use alternatives that make no gender reference Mankind = humankind

• Condescending labels – use of words that show disrespect My old man = My father Chick = girl

• Stereotypes- never assume all members of a group are the same gender, ethnicity, religion, etc…He will be a doctor, I am sure, as he is Jewish.He will be a doctor as this is his goal.

Page 860 exercise 18-1

WordinessConcise word choice creates a clear understanding for the reader. Eliminate phrases such as:field of, area of, sort of, kind of, very, type of…..

P 861 exercise 19-1

Transitional words that lead a phrase so do not end a sentence with the following types of words:in forunder overto around

Incorrect: What did you do that for?Correct: What was your reasoning for doing what you did?

Incorrect: She fell in.Correct: She fell into the icy river.

Incorrect: That is something the author never spoke of.Correct: The author never spoke of the topic.

PAGES 854-55 – ESL Guidelines for prepostional use

Prepositions

When writing, consider your:Topic

AudiencePurpose for writing

ToneFormal versus Informal language

WORD CHOICEto convey the meaning that you intended for the reader to gain