|
Whenever
possible, use the shorter,
simpler word.
You
can use a thesaurus to jog your
memory when you are trying to
come up with a better synonym,
but never use a word with which
you are not already familiar.
Words often have connotations
and nuances of meaning that you
can appreciate only after having
seen them in context, so you are
taking a great risk if you use a
word that you do not know well.
Even if you do
feel comfortable with more
advanced vocabulary, you should
use the simpler synonym if that
captures your meaning just as
well. For example, instead of
"ameliorated the situation," you
could state "improved the
situation." On the other hand, a
word such as "exasperated" is
more intense than a synonym like
"frustrated," and so you should
use it if that is the sense you
are trying to convey.
Use
precise language.
Choose words that capture your
experience fully and accurately.
For example:
Vague: "When we first
started the business, I
performed a range of duties to
get the company going."
Precise: "When we first
started the business, I took the
initiative to contact potential
partners, evaluate the service
of our competitors, and tailor
our plan to local markets."
Use
nouns and verbs rather than
adverbs and adjectives.
Inexperienced writers think that
using fancy adverbs and
adjectives will make their
writing look more eloquent, but
in fact they just bog down your
rhythm and usually sound like
fluff. They also tend to make
your writing sound abstract
because they are not actual
physical substances. Good
writers stick to concrete nouns
that the reader can grasp, and
even more importantly, vivid
verbs that are the lifeblood of
active, engaging language.
Before: "I ran quickly to
the board where the results
would be posted, with many
curious people standing around
waiting anxiously to see their
scores."
After: "I rushed to the
board to find people crowded
around, muttering prayers to
themselves as they awaited the
dean's arrival with their score
results."
The phrase
"ran quickly" has become the
more succinct and punchy
"rushed." Instead of "many
curious people standing around,"
we have substituted "people
crowded around muttering prayers
to themselves." Thus we gain a
more vivid verb in "crowded" and
a concrete image of people
muttering prayers instead of the
abstract adjective "curious" and
the clunky adverb "anxiously."
In focusing on nouns and verbs,
we have succeeded in showing
instead of telling.
Avoid repetition.
Do
not use words twice in close
proximity, and do not use the
same words regularly throughout
an essay. The problem usually
comes in overusing the same noun
that is central to your topic.
Although we emphasized the
importance of precision when you
are describing the details of
experiences, you can get away
with synonyms when writing more
broadly about themes and topics.
For example, if your essay is
about your skills in
interpersonal interaction, you
could use such similar phrases
as "communication strengths" and
"building trusting
relationships." |
