Transcript Cooperative Online Writing Lab

Cooperative
Online
Writing Lab
Word Choice:
Exact Words
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
The Dictionary and Thesaurus
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Use the dictionary and thesaurus if you find
yourself wishing for a better word.
Dictionaries list synonyms and antonyms for
many words. They also may have helpful
comments on shades of meaning.
Thesauruses may list many words you have
never heard, or words that are only vaguely
familiar. Be careful.
Whenever tempted to use a new word, look it up
in the dictionary first to avoid misusing it.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Connotations
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Connotations are emotional colorings that affect
how readers respond to a word.
Besides making sure the dictionary meaning is
appropriate for the situation, the connotation must
also agree.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Purr words and Snarl words
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American linguist S. J.
Hayakawa invented
Purr words and Snarl
words.
Some words have
negative (snarl words),
positive (purr words),
or neutral
connotations.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Purr words
Snarl words
Positive connotation
Negative Connotation
Thinking
Day-dreaming
Dancing
Jiggling about
Smiling
Smirking
Weeping
Sniveling
Writing
Scribbling
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Test connotative meaning.
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Rank the word on the scale of different qualities
good….bad
sincere….insincere
happy….unhappy
light….dark
beautiful….ugly
strong….weak
valuable….worthless
smooth….rough
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Connotation
Negative connotation does not mean that these
words should not be used. Actually, negative
connotative words should be used if the event is
filled with negative feelings. Do not forget to
consider the audience and purpose before
deciding on the final word choice.
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See if you can tell the difference in the atmosphere
between the sentences, and how I picked the
appropriate connotative word.
The boy scribbled in his notebook during class and
missed important notes. --negative connotation-The boy attentively wrote down notes from the
professor’s lecture. --positive connotation-Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Specific, concrete nouns.
Specific, concrete nouns express
meaning more vividly than general or
abstract ones.
 The general noun is listed first, then the
noun becomes more specific: team,
baseball team, Atlanta Braves.
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Abstract and Concrete Nouns
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Abstract nouns – qualities and ideas like justice,
beauty, realism, dignity
Concrete nouns – point to sensory experiences
and to physical objects
Although general and abstract language is
sometimes necessary to convey your meaning,
the audience usually prefers specific, concrete
words.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Be alert for misused word forms.
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For example, using a noun such as
absence, significance, or persistence when
your meaning requires the adjective
absent, significant, or persistent.
The persistence sales representative sold
many items.
Correct form: The persistent sales
representative sold many items.
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Idioms
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Idioms are speech forms that follow no
easily specified rules.
Native speakers seldom have problems
with idioms, but prepositions sometimes
cause trouble. When in doubt, consult a
good desk dictionary.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
Examples of Idioms
Incorrect
agree to (an idea)
angry at (a person)
different than (a person
or thing)
intend on doing
off of
type of a
Correct
agree with (an idea)
angry with (a person)
different from (a person
or thing)
intend to do
off
type of
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Avoid worn-out expressions.
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Worn-out expressions are also called
clichés.
Clichés are so predictable that they should
be left out of your writing.
The box was light as a feather.
Better choice: The box felt like it was empty.
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Use figures of speech with care.
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Figures of speech compare two seemingly
unlike things to reveal surprising similarities.
An appropriate example of a good
comparison, William Faulkner describes the
eyes of a plump old woman who had locked
herself in her house for years as “like two
small pieces of coal pressed into a lump of
dough.”
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Mixed Metaphors
Mixed metaphors is the combination of two
or more things that do not make sense
together.
The girl’s joy bubbled over like balloons
expanding.
Better choice: The girl’s joy bubbled over like
a shaken up soda pop.
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Bluefield College COWL, 2005
You now
know the
exact
words
to use!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
More information for Purr and Snarl words can
be reached by clicking on this link:
http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/r
esources/exp_lang/words_meanings.html
Need More Assistance?
Stop by the
Writing Center or
Come back to
COWL again
and again!
We Mooove
fast to
help you!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005