Description
According to your reading in the Learning Activity titled “Importance of Using the Correct Word,” why is it so important to distinguish between the meanings and spellings of commonly confused words? Write a paragraph of four to five sentences using, correctly, the following words: affect, effect, accept, except, team, and individual. Then write a second paragraph in which you explain the differences between each of the listed words and why your initial paragraph has used each word correctly.
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Effective writing involves making conscious choices with words. When you prepare
to sit down to write your first draft, you likely have already completed some
freewriting exercises, chosen your topic, developed your thesis statement, written
an outline, and even selected your sources. When it is time to write your first draft,
start to consider which words to use to best convey your ideas to the reader.
Some writers are picky about word choice as they start drafting. They may practice
some specific strategies, such as using a dictionary and thesaurus, using words and
phrases with proper connotations, and avoiding slang, clichés, and overly general
words.
Once you understand these tricks of the trade, you can move ahead confidently in
writing your assignment. Remember, the skill and accuracy of your word choice is a
major factor in developing your writing style. Precise selection of your words will
help you be more clearly understood—in both writing and speaking.
Using a Dictionary and Thesaurus
Even professional writers need help with the meanings, spellings, pronunciations,
and uses of particular words. In fact, they rely on dictionaries to help them write
better. No one knows every word in the English language and their multiple uses and
meanings, so all writers, from novices to professionals, can benefit from the use of
dictionaries.
Most dictionaries provide the following information:
•
Spelling. How the word and its different forms are spelled.
•
Pronunciation. How to say the word.
•
Part of speech. The function of the word.
•
Definition. The meaning of the word.
•
Synonyms. Words that have similar meanings.
•
Etymology. The history of the word.
Look at the following sample dictionary entry and see which of the proceeding
information you can identify:
© Marek Uliasz/iStock/Thinkstock.
myth, mith, n. [Gr. mythos, a word, a fable, a legend.] A fable or legend embodying
the convictions of a people as to their gods or other divine beings, their own
beginnings and early history and the heroes connected with it, or the origin of the
world; any invented story; something or someone having no existence in fact.—myth
• ic, myth • i • cal
Like a dictionary, a thesaurus is another indispensable writing tool. A thesaurus gives
you a list of synonyms, words that have the same (or very close to the same)
meaning as another word. It also lists antonyms, words with the opposite meaning
of the word. A thesaurus will help you when you are looking for the perfect word
with just the right meaning to convey your ideas. It will also help you learn more
words and use the ones you already know more correctly.
precocious adj, She’s such a precocious little girl!: uncommonly smart, mature,
advanced, smart, bright, brilliant, gifted, quick, clever, apt.
Ant. slow, backward, stupid.
Using Proper Connotations
A denotation is the dictionary definition of a word. A connotation is the emotional
or cultural meaning attached to a word. The connotation of a word can be positive,
negative, or neutral. Keep in mind the connotative meaning when choosing a word.
© Nastco/iStock/Thinkstock.
Scrawny
•
Denotation: Exceptionally thin and slight or meager in body or size.
•
Word used in a sentence: Although he was a premature baby and
a scrawny child, Martin has developed into a strong man.
•
Connotation: (Negative) In this sentence the word scrawny may have a
negative connotation in the readers’ minds. They might find it to mean a
weakness or a personal flaw; however, the word fits into the sentence
appropriately.
©
michaeljung/iStock/Thinkstock.
Skinny
•
Denotation: Lacking sufficient flesh, very thin.
•
Word used in a sentence: Skinny jeans have become very fashionable in
the past couple of years.
•
Connotation: (Positive) Based on cultural and personal impressions of what
it means to be skinny, the reader may have positive connotations of this
word.
Lean
•
Denotation: Lacking or deficient in flesh; containing little or no fat.
•
Word used in a sentence: My brother has a lean figure, whereas I have a
more muscular build.
•
Connotation: (Neutral) In this sentence, lean has a neutral connotation. It
does not call to mind an overly skinny person like the word scrawny, nor
does imply the positive cultural impressions of the word skinny. It is merely
a neutral, descriptive word.
Notice that all the words have a very similar denotation; however, the connotations
of each word differ.
Avoiding Slang
Slang describes informal words that are considered nonstandard English. Slang often
changes with passing fads and may be used by or familiar to only a specific group of
people. Most people use slang when they speak and in personal correspondences,
such as e-mails, text messages, and instant messages. Slang is appropriate between
friends in an informal context, but should be avoided in formal academic writing.
Writing at Work
Frequent exposure to media and popular culture has desensitized many of us to
slang. In certain situations, using slang at work may not be problematic, but keep in
mind that words can have a powerful effect. Slang in professional e-mails or during
meetings may convey the wrong message or even mistakenly offend someone.
Avoiding Clichés
Clichés are descriptive expressions that have lost their effectiveness because they
are overused. Writing that uses clichés often suffers from a lack of originality and
insight. Avoiding clichés in formal writing will help you write in original and fresh
ways. Below is an example:
•
Clichéd: Whenever my brother and I get into an argument, he always says
something that makes my blood boil.
•
Plain: Whenever my brother and I get into an argument, he always says
something that makes me really angry.
•
Original: Whenever my brother and I get into an argument, he always says
something that makes me want to go to the gym and punch the bag for a
few hours.
TIP: Think about all the cliché phrases that you hear in popular music or in
everyday conversation. What would happen if these clichés were transformed into
something unique?
Avoiding Overly General Words
Specific words and images make your writing more interesting to read. Whenever
possible, avoid overly general words in your writing; instead, try to replace general
language with particular nouns, verbs, and modifiers that convey details and that
bring yours words to life. Add words that provide color, texture, sound, and even
smell to your writing. Take a look at the examples below:
•
General: My new puppy is cute.
•
Specific: My new puppy is a ball of white fuzz with the biggest black eyes I
have ever seen.
•
General: My teacher told us that plagiarism is bad.
•
Specific: My teacher, Ms. Atwater, created a presentation detailing exactly
how plagiarism is illegal and unethical.
Key Takeaway
•
Using a dictionary and thesaurus as you write will improve your writing by improving
your word choice.
•
Connotations of words may be positive, neutral, or negative.
•
Slang, clichés, and overly general words should be avoided in academic writing.
Note. Adapted from “Word Choice,” by McLean, 2010, Writing for Success, Chapter
4, Section 3. Copyright 2010 Flat World Knowledge, Inc.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms and antonyms help you to convey exactly what you want to communicate.
Using them effectively can enhance your writing.
Synonyms are words with the same or similar meaning. For example, the following
pairs of words are synonyms: “folk” and “people,” hush” and “be quiet,” and
“provision” and “requirement.” Read on to learn more about synonyms and
antonyms.
As you work with your draft, you will want to pay particular attention to the words
you have chosen. Do they express exactly what you are trying to convey? Can you
choose better, more effective words? Familiarity with synonyms and antonyms can
be helpful in answering these questions.
Synonyms
Synonyms are words that have the same, or almost the same, meaning as another
word. You can say an “easy task” or a “simple task” because easy and simple are
synonyms. You can say Hong Kong is a “large city” or a “metropolis”
because city and metropolis are synonyms.
However, it is important to remember that not all pairs of words in the English
language are so easily interchangeable. The slight but important differences in
meaning between synonyms can make a big difference in your writing. For example,
the words boring and insipid may have similar meanings, but the subtle differences
between the two will affect the message your writing conveys. The
word insipid evokes a scholarly and perhaps more pretentious message than boring.
The English language is full of pairs of words that have subtle distinctions between
them. All writers, professionals and beginners alike, face the challenge of choosing
the most appropriate synonym to best convey their ideas. When you pay particular
attention to synonyms in your writing, it comes across to your reader. The sentences
become much more clear and rich in meaning.
Writing at Work
Any writing you do at work involves a careful choice of words. For example, if you are
writing an e-mail to your employer regarding your earnings, you can use the
word pay, salary, or hourly wage. There are also other synonyms to choose from.
Just keep in mind that the word you choose will have an effect on the reader, so you
want to choose wisely to get the desired effect.
Antonyms
Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning of a given word. The study of
antonyms will not only help you choose the most appropriate word as you write, but
it will also sharpen your overall sense of language.
Table 4.3 Common Antonyms
Word
Antonym
Word
Antonym
Absence
Presence
Frequent
Seldom
Accept
Refuse
Harmful
Harmless
Accurate
Inaccurate
Horizontal
Vertical
Advantage
Disadvantage
Imitation
Genuine
Ancient
Modern
Inhabited
Uninhabited
Abundant
Inferior
Scarce
Superior
Artificial
Natural
Intentional
Accidental
Attractive
Repulsive
Justice
Injustice
Borrow
Lend
Knowledge
Ignorance
Bravery
Cowardice
Landlord
Tenant
Create
Destroy, Demolish
Likely
Unlikely
Bold
Timid, Meek
Minority
Majority
Capable
Incapable
Miser
Spendthrift
Combine
Separate
Obedient
Disobedient
Conceal
Reveal
Optimist
Pessimist
Common
Rare
Permanent
Temporary
Decrease
Increase
Plentiful
Scarce
Definite
Indefinite
Private
Public
Despair
Hope
Prudent
Imprudent
Discourage
Encourage
Qualified
Unqualified
Employer
Employee
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Expand
Contract
Tame
Wild
Forget
Remember
Vacant
Occupied
TIP: Learning antonyms is an effective way to increase your vocabulary.
Memorizing words in combination with or in relation to other words often helps us
retain them.
Key Takeaway
•
Synonyms are words that have the same, or almost the same, meaning as another
word.
•
Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning of another word.
•
Choosing the right synonym refines your writing.
•
Learning common antonyms sharpens your sense of language and expands your
vocabulary.
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
