1. Word choice
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” – Mark Twain
Brendan O’Donnell
ENL
Prof. Hagan
March 7, 2017

2. the usage game
We first learned language by listening, but our ears can sometimes play tricks on us, and that leads to common usage errors in our writing. See if you can identify the correct usage choices in the following text.

3. Sam never believed she could (affect/effect) someone’s life so positively, but when she saw a figure on a ship near the horizon sending out what appeared to be (a/an) S.O.S., she didn’t think twice before taking action. Sam had no idea (who’s/whose) ship it was, but when she arrived, there (lay/lie) Frank, barely (conscience/conscious). Sam thought she should call for (back up/backup), but with the cooler weather there were (less/fewer) people on the beach. She decided to swim Frank back to shore herself. The swim back felt (farther/further) than the swim out, but the pair made it safely to shore. (Sometime/Some time) (past/passed) before Frank and Sam would talk about what happened, but both knew immediately that they would always be connected by Sam’s act of heroism.

4. solution Affect: Affect is usually a verb; effect is a noun.
An: Use an before acronyms that begin with a vowel sound, here ‘ess’.
Whose: Whose is the possessive of who; who’s is a contraction of who is.
Lay: Here we need a past tense verb. Lay is the past tense of lie.
Conscious: Conscience is a noun meaning principles (not principals). Conscious is an adjective meaning alert or awake.
Backup: Back up is a verb phrase, as in back up the car. Backup is an adjective and here a noun.
Fewer: Fewer is for objects you can count; less is for those you can’t. Drink fewer bottles of beer vs Drink less beer.
Farther: Farther is for distances. Further suggests degree or quantity.
Some time: Sometime is an adverb that is non-specific. Some time is a defined period of time.
Passed: Passed is the past tense of pass. Past already happened.

5. Usage glossary
A usage glossary is a useful tool to help keep common errors out of our writing. There are comprehensive guides and style manuals, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, the AP Stylebook, among others. You might also be familiar with another one. Now that we’ve picked the right words, let’s figure out what we’re supposed to do with them.

6. Wordy sentences
All sentences have words. All words have meaning. But sometimes words cause sentences to lose meaning. Here are a few tips to keep meaning at the center of your sentences.

7. Eliminate redundancies
Sam is a student at UMD studying psychology.
Sam studies psychology at UMD.
Avoid unnecessary repetition of words
Chess players who teach other people how to play chess often become better chess players.
Teaching others how to play chess can improve one’s own game.
Cut empty or inflated phrases
along the lines of like
at the present time currently
in the event that if
due to the fact that because
Simplify the structure
There is research that confirms the impact of climate change.
Research confirms the impact of climate change.
Reduce clauses to phrases, phrases to words
In a forthcoming report about public opinion, a major shift in attitudes toward government is made evident, which will likely surprise a lot of people.
A new report indicates a surprising shift in public attitudes toward government.

8. Active verbs
Active verbs give your words life, allowing them to make your case more emphatically.

9. active VS passive voice
With the active voice, the subject is the one doing the action.
The cow jumped over the moon.
In the passive voice, the subject receives the action.
The moon was jumped over by the cow.
There are times when the passive voice is appropriate, but it is generally better to use the active voice.
Don’t use the passive voice to erase or obfuscate the subject. Make sure the actor, the one doing the action, is clear, even when using the passive voice.

10. Appropriate language
Use your words to communicate, not complicate, your message. Words that nobody understands or that are offensive only serve to limit your audience at reduce your authority as a communicator.

11. Jargon/euphemisms/pretension
Jargon is language that only experts in a specific field understand or are comfortable using in conversation. The most obvious example is computer terminology, but it applies to any field. And unless you are an expert, it’s easy to misuse jargon, sacrificing your credibility as a writer. Euphemisms are attempts to dress up common terms in language that hides a potentially unsavory aspect, which can be a good thing. But it can quickly get out of hand and end up obscuring the true character of what you are trying to communicate. Pretentious language buries your meaning under a pile of overly ornate, generally useless words and phrases. It might sound pretty, but nobody knows what it is. Slang and other language that is specific to certain groups should be avoided unless those groups are your intended audience. There is a place for colloquialisms, regional expressions, and other forms of nonstandard English, but you should take care in using it and always consider your audience.

12. Avoid sexist/offensive language
Sexist language defines roles based on sex. The smart student does not wait until the last minute to do his homework. There are different ways to address this. Make it about everybody: Smart students do not wait until the last minute to do their homework. Revise the sentence: Not waiting until the last minute to do homework is a sign of a smart student. The same rules apply for other forms of offensive language. If you are unsure, ask. Usage guides and style manuals are good resources, as are people.

13. Exact language
Be precise, concise, and accurate with your word choices. Resist the use of clichés and make sure that your favorite idiom or figure of speech means what you think it means.

14. Precise, concise, accurate
Questions to make sure your choices are precise, concise, and accurate:
Do any words have inappropriate or offensive connotations for my message?
The kids on my block terrorized the neighborhood last night.
The neighborhood kids caused a ruckus last night
Do I use concrete nouns whenever possible?
She spent her life fighting for equality.
She devoted her life to fighting for women’s suffrage.
Am I misusing any words?
The decision will be made eminently.
The decision will be made imminently.

15. Idioms/clichés/figures of speech
Idioms don’t follow particular rules, so they must be learned individually. This also means there are lots of opportunities for errors in use. Consult a dictionary if you are unsure. Clichés should be resisted, but they are very good at getting a message across. If you’ve selected a less formal style, go ahead and use one, but they really have no place in formal writing. Figures of speech are imaginative constructs rather than literal ones. They help relate seemingly disparate things, but it’s easy to lose control. Mixed metaphors can turn your imaginative concept into a literal mess. Just think it through.

16. Look it up
Any writer’s best friend is a good dictionary. And a good thesaurus comes in handy, too. Now available online and in print, never hesitate to look up words and phrases while you are working. Most dictionaries will give you enough information to answer the questions necessary to ensure that you are making an informed word choice.

17. Works cited
Hacker, Diana and Nancy Sommers. A Writer’s Reference, Eighth Edition. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2015.

18. Brendan O’Donnell
ENL
Prof. Hagan
March 7, 2017