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Choosing the Right Words
This document discusses choosing the right words when writing and speaking. It covers several topics: 1. The writing process of choosing words, assembling phrases, connecting sentences, and organizing paragraphs. 2. The different types and meanings of words including denotative, connotative, and how the same word can have different meanings depending on context. 3. Using references like dictionaries and thesauruses to help select words and understand meanings. 4. Guidelines for choosing words including using specific words, positive words, and avoiding negative, redundant or complex words. The goal is to communicate clearly and maintain goodwill.
In this document
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Focus on the importance of selecting appropriate words in Standard American English and the writing process.
Outlines the steps in the writing process from word choice to coherent message organization.
Explains types of word meanings: denotative (dictionary definitions) and connotative (emotional associations).
Discusses examples of word contexts and the nuances of meaning associated with the term 'remote'.
Defines technical vocabulary as profession-specific and emphasizes the use of bias-free language.
Presents alternatives to gendered and politically incorrect terms to promote inclusivity.
Details on careful word choice and the role of simple words in effective communication.
Provides a table of complex words with simpler alternatives for clearer communication.
Describes the importance of using conversational words and avoiding trite expressions and clichés.
Presents examples of clichés and overused expressions to avoid in favor of more original language.
Emphasizes the need for concise word choice to improve message clarity and engagement.
Encourages eliminating redundant expressions and using efficient alternatives to enhance clarity.
Stresses the importance of specific wording for clear mental imagery and positive tone in writing.
Highlights frequently misused words and the necessity for a positive tone in effective business communication.
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Choosing the Right Words
- 1. CHOOSINGTHE RIGHTWORDS STANDARD AMERICANENGLISH: most correct form of the English language. Everyone faces the challenge of WRITING and SPEAKING ENGLISH WELL.
- 2. Objectives: 1. Describe thewriting process. 2. Evaluate various meanings of words in order to select appropriate words for intended meaning. 3. Identify and use available references to facilitate the communication process. 4. Evaluate incorrect word usage and select correct word usage.
- 3. THEWRITING PROCESS 1. Chooseswords. 2. Assembles the words into phrases. 3. Connects the phrases to form sentences. 4. Groups the sentences into paragraphs. 5. Organizes the paragraphs into a coherent message.
- 4. THE MEANINGS OFWORDS Semantics : the study of word meanings : the study of what you mean by what you say WORD -the simplest part of language -the fundamental element of any message
- 5. TYPES OF MEANINGS Denotativemeanings are the definitions of words given in dictionaries. Connotative meanings are the subtle and often emotional meanings that become associated with the words.
- 6. Our furniture isCHEAP. Our furniture is INEXPENSIVE.
- 7. WORD REFERENCES Dictionary: -definitions andmeanings -hyphenation -acceptable and preferred spellings -pronunciation -parts of speech -capitalization -synonyms -antonyms Thesaurus: -synonyms -antonyms
- 8. INTERPRETING MEANINGS Word bank-that part of the mind in which all the words the person has ever heard or read in all their contexts are stored.
- 9. a REMOTE country theREMOTE future a REMOTE cousin a REMOTE manner REMOTE control far away distant in time having only a slight relationship aloof or distant without physical contact
- 10. Technical Vocabulary orJargon • Are special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand. • Example: – People who work with computers (CPU, 20GB, client server, cursor, mouse, etc..)
- 11. Bias-Free Language • Bias-freewords – are words that do not discriminate against people on the basis of race, culture, gender, age, religion, physical or mental condition, socioeconomic level, or any other classification. • Always use language that emphasizes the individual or group first, rather than the condition.
- 12. Using Bias-Free Language Insteadof these gender- specific words… … choose these bias-free words Business man Chairman Fellow worker Fireman foreman Housewife Insurance salesman Landlord or landlady Mailman Newsman Office boy Policeman or policewoman salesman Business person or business worker Chair, chairperson Coworker or colleague Firefighter Supervisor Homemaker Insurance agent Owner Mail carrier or postal worker Newscaster or reporter or journalist Messenger or office helper Police officer Salesperson or sales representative or sales associate or sales assistant
- 13. Politically Correct Words •Avoid using terms that could evoke negative images of any thing, any person, or any group. Poor Economically challenged Taxes Revenue enhancement Parole Supervised release Teenager Young adult Trash Service items (on an airplane) Janitor Building services attendant Illegal aliens Undocumented immigrants
- 15. Proper word choices Awriter's selection of words as determined by a number of factors, including meaning (both denotative and connotative), specificity, level of diction, and tone. and It -Watch your words. -Ex: Not too frankly just talk wisely. Make it sure that no one will get hurt what you want to say to the person or the people around you.
- 16. WordA word issomething spoken by the mouth, that can be pronounced. It is also a collection of letters used together to try to communicate a meaning, and these can also usually be pronounced. Some words have more than one meaning, Example: 'spring' can refer to the season, or the object. Some words have different pronunciation, for example, 'wind' (the noun) and 'wind' (the verb) are pronounced differently. Some words have different spelling for example 'color' and 'colour', which are both correct. Color is used in American English. Some words can be only one letter, for example "a" and "I" in English. Besides English, every other language also has its own words
- 17. A simple wordis a word that consists of only one morpheme. so that the reader will understand
- 18. table 2.1 Altenativesfor complex words complex words simpler words approximately about ascertain find out assistance help commence start or begin converse talk endeavor try enumerate list finalize fair interrogate ask it is requested that please negligible small or slight numerous many peruse read or study pursuant to your request as you asked render services serve sufficient enough terminate end or finish utilize use
- 19. Table 2.1 containsa list of complex words and phrases and some simple ,direct alternatives. Most of these formal sounding complicated words are often found in business letters, but each of them can be stated in simpler terms that will allow for more effective communication.
- 20. CONVERSATIONAL WORDS informal *To be conversational, communicators can fall into the habit of using outdated or trite expressions and clichés in their communications ..
- 21. TRITE EXPRESSIONS boringfrom much use lacking originality or freshness; dull on account of overuse.
- 22. TABLE 2.3 TRITEEXPRESSIONS WITH CONVERSATIONAL WORDS Instead of these Trite Words .. .. Choose these Conversational Words we will thank you to please at the present writing now kindly advise me or kindly inform me please write me or please call me regret to inform you that am sorry that due to the fact that because pursuant to according to
- 23. CLICHÉS Stereotyped expressionsthat tend to resemble a play on words, or puns. Use only cliché if you are sure any reader will understand your intended meaning.
- 24. TABLE 2.4 CLICHÉSAND OVERUSED EXPRESSIONS Avoid these Clichés Avoid these overused expressions All things being equal A done deal Wishful thinking Crystal clear Break the ice Drastic action Needs no introduction Lion’s share By leaps and bounds Touch base On the cutting edge Needless to sat Step in the right direction Dragging one’s feet
- 25.
- 26. Each word inthe message should help make the meaning clear or the tone friendly. It helps the readers by: saving the readers time aiding in the understanding of the message making the communication more interesting
- 27. To achieve furtherconciseness in your writing, avoid using repetitive, or redundant words. Some examples That the italicized words are unnecessary and should be omitted: honest truth repeat again true facts past history first began
- 28. Doublet -is created whentwo or more words that have nearly the same meaning are joint by the word and. Examples: basic and fundamental each and every help and cooperation
- 29. Time Wasters TimeSavers at the present in time or at this moment in time now despite the fact that although I want to take this opportunity to tell you that we are grateful to you thank you in the near future soon Substituting Time Savers for Time Wasters
- 30. Avoid using wordsthat are not recognized by language experts as usable words. Ex. Irregardless is not recognized by language experts; a better choice is regardless.
- 31. Specific words presenta clearly defined picture in a reader’s mind. General words present a hazy, indefinite picture to the reader. Ex. Sweater Red Sweater Red, plaid, V-neck sweater.
- 32. Positive words createa pleasant aura around your message. They impart enthusiasm and confidence, while negative words tend to trigger unpleasant feelings. Effective business writer knows and deliberately uses positive words to help stimulate the desired response from the reader.
- 33. Positive words emphasizeto the reader what can be done rather than what cannot be done and will help you develop and maintain favorable relationships and goodwill.
- 34. NEGATIVE WORDS •Expressing, containing,or consisting of a negation, refusal, or denial. •Lacking positive or constructive features.
- 35. USING CORRECT WORDSAND PHRASES INSTEAD OF THESE FREQUENTLY MISUSED WORDS AND PHRASES... ....CHOOSE THESE CORRECT WORDS AND PHRASES A LOT OF MANY OR MUCH BETWEEN US THREE AMONG US THREE DONT HAVE BUT HAVE ONLY IF YOU WILL WHETHER YOU WILL
- 36. GOODWILL IS THEFAVORABLE ATTITUDE AND FEELING PEOPLE HAVE TOWARDS A BUSINESS. YOU MUST: • PROJECT A POSITIVE TONE • PROMOTE A SERVICE ATTITUDE TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN GOODWILL IN ALL YOUR MESSAGES.