What is word choice, and why does it matter?

Just as the subject and predicate provide the foundation to sentence building, word choice provides the foundation to sentence style. The words you choose determine the sound, appearance, and meaning of your writing. In trying to come up with just the right word, you may find the use of a dictionary or a thesaurus very helpful. The following Prezi by Malory Klocke will help you understand the importance of word choice in your writing.

 

To begin, click on the arrow in the middle of the screen that says "Start Prezi."  

After the Prezi is loaded, advance through the presentation using the arrows at the bottom of the screen. Clicking on the rectangle in the bottom right corner will allow you to view the Prezi in "full screen mode." Pressing the escape key will return you to your regular screen.

Importance of Word Choice

by Malory Klocke

 

 

There are many ways word choice can add and detract from the clarity and style of a piece of writing. Ultimately, good word choice depends on a good vocabulary, so the best way to improve your word choice is to broaden your vocabulary. Let's examine two major goals when choosing our words: 

Be precise.

When you are precise, you avoid words or phrases that are awkward, vague, or unclear.   You also choose words that are specific and focused. You may avoid or include jargon, which consists of technical terms specific to one discipline, depending on your audience and rhetorical situation.

 

 

Be aware of your audience and the rhetorical situation, as described in Unit One.

Word choice matters most importantly because it shapes the meaning and message of your writing. Word choice can develop or destroy credibility. It can engage or alienate your readers. It can lead or divert your audience to or from your desired conclusion. Awkward or clumsy word choice may present the writing as uninformed. A piece of writing that contains too much jargon may confuse an audience. Choosing each word with care and precision gives you control over what your writing says about you.

 

 

Click here to begin the lesson on word choice.