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Word Choice Writing Well. Wordiness Using more words than necessary Often a sign of laziness Readers resent the extra energy needed to read your writing.

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Presentation on theme: "Word Choice Writing Well. Wordiness Using more words than necessary Often a sign of laziness Readers resent the extra energy needed to read your writing."— Presentation transcript:

1 Word Choice Writing Well

2 Wordiness Using more words than necessary Often a sign of laziness Readers resent the extra energy needed to read your writing

3 Examples of Wordiness In this paper, I am planning to describe the hobby that I enjoy of collecting old comic books. I enjoy collecting old comic books.

4 In Bens opinion, he thinks that cable television will change and alter our lives in the future. Ben thinks that cable television will change our lives.

5 Wordy formShort form at the present timenow in the event thatif in the near futuresoon due to the fact thatbecause for the reason thatbecause is able tocan in every instancealways in this day and agetoday during the time thatwhile a large number ofmany big in sizebig red in colorred five in numberfive return backreturn good benefitbenefit commute back and forthcommute postponed until laterpostponed

6 Correct these sentences 1. In general, I am the sort of person who tends to be shy, especially in large crowds or with strangers I dont know well. 2. In todays uncertain economic climate, it is clear that people, namely, average middle-class working people, have great difficulty saving much money or putting anything aside for emergencies.

7 3. My greatest mistake that I made last week was to hurt my brothers feelings and then not to have the nerve to apologize and say how sorry I was. 4. It seems obvious to me, and it should be to everyone else too, that people can be harmed as much by emotional abuse as by physical abuse, even if you dont lay a hand on them.

8 More P hrases to Avoid all in allin my opinion in a wordat last as far as Im concernedand so on such askinda whats morewhats worth mentioning to be honestbelieve it or not theres no doubtby the way thank you for readingthats all as you know, right?, isnt it?to be frank to tell the truthlast but not the least as you seein my mind

9 Effective Word Choice In formal (academic) writing you should avoid: 1. Slang 2. Clichés 3. Pretentious words

10 Slang Goes out of date Becomes tiresome Does not communicate clearly

11 Examples of Slang 1. Someone ripped off Kens new Adidas running shoes from his locker. 2. After the game, we stuffed our faces at the diner. 3. I finally told my parents to get off my case. 4. The movies really grossed me out.

12 Clichés Worn out from constant use Makes your writing seem tired and stale Prevents you from giving specific details that is vital to good writing

13 Common Clichés short but sweetlong time no see drop in the bucketwork like a dog had a hard time of itall work and no play word to the wiseit goes without saying it dawned on meat a loss for words sigh of relieftaking a big chance too little, too latetook a turn for the worse singing the blueseasier said than done in the nick of timeon top of the world too close for comforttime and time again saw the lightmake ends meet

14 Pretentious Words Fancy, elevated words Sounds artificial and stilted Obscures the meaning

15 Examples of Pretentious Words 1. It was a splendid opportunity to get some slumber. It was a good chance to get some sleep. 2. We relished the delicious repast. We enjoyed the delicious meal.

16 3. The officer apprehended the intoxicated operator of the vehicle. The officer arrested the drunken driver. 4. This establishment sells womens apparel and childrens garments. This store sells womens and childrens clothes.

17 Inflated WordsSimpler Words subsequent toafter finalizefinish transmitsend facilitatehelp componentpart initiatebegin delineatedescribe manifestedshown to endeavorto try

18 Other Common Errors Do not start a sentence with: 1. And 2. But 3. So

19 Besides Only use the transition besides when you are adding more facts or info to a previously stated point. Dont use besides when you are about to state a new idea.

20 Lets go to the store. I need to buy milk. Besides, we have an hour free before we have to leave, so it is better to get this task done now. Lets go to the store. I need to buy milk. Also, lets stop by the dry cleaners and pick up my suit. Dont use besides in the second example.

21 Let/Make Use let for something one allows another to do Use make for something one forces another to do I let him give me $5 I made him give me $5 He let me borrow $5 He made me borrow $5

22 Basic Rules 1. Avoid alliteration. Always. 2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with. 3. Avoid clichés like the plague. 4. Employ the vernacular. 5. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc. 6. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary. 7. Contractions arent necessary.

23 8. One should never generalize. 9. Dont be redundant; dont needlessly use any more words than are actually necessary; its always very highly superfluous. 10. Be more or less specific. 11. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement. 12. One word sentences? Eliminate. 13. The passive voice is to be avoided. 14. Who needs rhetorical questions?


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