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Ways We Use Word Choice

Precise words can lend credence and clarity to a sentence. Words that are specific, focused, and accurate demonstrate that you always have control over your writing. We have lots of decisions to make when we are choosing which word to use in which rhetorical situation: Does this word clearly convey my idea? Is it too formal or too informal for my audience? Is it necessary?

You might think of word choice as interior decorating but for essays. Too many words can be like too many throw pillows on the couch and can make a room, or paragraph, feel cluttered. Some words are like furniture—they are basic to the essay's meaning and necessary. Some words, however, are the framed pictures. You can think of your writing as a living room in which you want your reader to feel comfortable and relaxed. If your descriptive words, like the art on the wall, are out-of-place, then your reader may spend valuable time trying to figure out the meaning of certain words rather than the meaning of the essay as a whole.

 

Take a look at the following passage:

 

The undercut is the most wrong sin of welding. Cutting into the steel with the force of the arc leaves an open, curvy gap in the weld. If this is not filled back in with filler metal, it leaves a weld situation, which is a poor point that can cause the joint to self-destruct. This can cause property damage, injury and even the cessation of all biological functions.

 

Let's highlight some of the problems with word choice in this passage.

 

Rollover the highlighted terms to see the problems in this writing.

 

The undercut is the most wrong sin of welding. Cutting into the steel with the force of the arc leaves an open, curvy gap in the weld. If this is not filled back in with filler metal, it leaves a weld situation, which is a poor point that can cause the joint to self-destruct. This can cause property damage, injury and even the cessation of all biological functions.

 

Now let's look at our revised paragraph. The new word choices are in red:

 

The undercut is the cardinal sin of welding. Cutting into the steel with the force of the arc leaves a groove in the weld. If this is not filled back in with filler metal, it leaves a weld defect, which is a weak point that can cause the joint to fail. This can cause property damage, injury and even death.

 

Let's discuss some of the revision choices:

1. "Most wrong" was replaced by "cardinal," which is often used with "sin." It completes the metaphor of "undercut" as being a religious offense.

2. "Open, curvy gap" are three words that can be condensed into one: "groove."

3. "Situation" is one of those words that is less precise than it might appear. Many things can be a "situation"; "defect" is much more precise.

4. "Poor" is like "situation" insofar as it lacks precision. Do we mean structurally poor? Financially poor? "Weak" conveys our meaning more clearly.

5. "Self-destruct" anthropomorphizes "joint," which is to say it gives human qualities to something that isn't human.   Joints fail but they don't self-destruct.

6. "Cessation of all biological functions" points to an error we will learn more about in module three: jargon. It uses scientific terms for a rhetorical situation that is not scientific. "Death" is the straightforward alternative.

 

In our revision, we are not distracted by awkward word choices. You want to avoid unknowingly using words that distract your reader from the purpose of your writing.

Short Table of Concise Words

WORDY

vs

 

CONCISE

adequate number of

as a consequence

 

enough

then

by reason of

for the purposes of

 

because

for

at the present time

came to an agreement

 

now

agreed

from the point of view of

give an indication of

 

from

show

implement an investigation of

if that is not the case

 

investigate

if not

It is appropriate to learn about word choice right after learning about the rhetorical situation in Unit 1. Words are never always right or always wrong. They are appropriate and inappropriate, like certain behaviors or apparel choices. A t-shirt and running shorts are not bad but they are inappropriate for a business meeting; screaming "Go! Go! Go!" is not bad, but it is a behavior more appropriate for a sporting event than for a symphony. Learning the correct word to use results from understanding the rhetorical situation for which one is writing.

 


Self Check Area

 

Now let's check your understanding of word choice. Click on the "Self Check Quiz" wording below to begin.

 Open/Close Self Check Activity.

 

 

Click here to go to the review section for Module 1: Word Choice. 


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