TONIGHT’S HOMEWORK Complete final-exam review handout AND submit Grammar #14 (appropriate, exact language) on Canvas

Appropriate and Exact Language: (LBCH pp. 156-172 and 174-178)

Word Choice Makes a Difference  Denotation is a word’s literal meaning, which tends to be neutral and objective.  Connotation is a word’s associations along with its literal meaning. Connotations are subjective and personal, frequently involving feelings and putting a certain spin on things.

Denotation and Connotation Sample Word Denotation Connotation 1) additive an added substance something unnatural, especially in food; perhaps harmful to health 2) cheap inexpensive of products, low quality; of people, stingy

A word’s connotation can be positive or negative: A mature woman lives next door to me. An elderly woman lives next door to me. An old woman lives next door to me. My sister is not an intellectual. My sister lacks book smarts. My sister is ditzy. My sister is dumb. My sister is stupid.

Word Choice Problems Slang and Dialect (Colloquial Language) Pretentious Language (Jargon or Unnecessarily Big Words) Sensitive Language (Sexist, Racist, etc.) Inexact (Vague) Language Wordy and Redundant Language Trite Expressions (Clichés)

1. Slang and Dialect Slang is informal and casual language. Ernest Hemingway takes a shot at explaining this theme in his short novel The Old Man and the Sea. I used to not get along with my mom, but we’re cool now. I was bummed about my midterm grade. The use of slang is inappropriate in formal situations.

1. Slang and Dialect Dialect is language shared by a group of people in a particular region or community. It is not appropriate in formal writing, as in business, government, or college. Sue is fixing to go to the store. I reckon microbiology is a difficult subject. The lift does not go to the fourth floor without a key.

The U.S. Constitution says that the federal government of the United States of America must take a national census and requires that the census be taken every ten years. The U.S. Constitution says that the federal government of the United States of America must take a national census and requires that the census be taken every ten years. The U.S. Constitution says that the federal government of the United States of America must take a national census and requires that the census be taken every ten years. 2. Pretentious Language Pretentious language is jargon that tries to sound smart or snobby. It often makes general readers struggle to understand and may make them feel insulted. Legalese: ”pursuant to” Corporate speak: “synergy,” “action item” Unnecessarily big words: “The biota exhibited a 100 percent mortality response.” (All the fish died.)

3. Sensitive Language Sensitive language discriminates against people based on something other than their individual merits. When you ASSUME something about someone or some group, you make an ASS out of U (you) and ME.

Sensitive Language can be sexist can be racist can be ageist can be based on anything that makes a person part of a different group than you

Sensitive Language: Sexism Sexism is discrimination against people based on their gender rather than their individual merits. Nonsexist language avoids gender-specific job titles, non-parallel usage, and gender-based pronouns when the gender of the individual is unknown.

Sensitive Language: Sexism English has no gender- neutral pronoun in the singular. (It can only be used of objects, not of people.) Writers are faced with a problem when they want to speak of one person but don’t want to identify that person by sex or don’t know what it is.

Avoiding Sexist Usage Use both pronouns together (“he or she”). Though this avoids sexism, it can be wordy: Before a student submits an essay, he or she should use spell-check. Make the antecedent plural so that you can use “they.” Before students submit essays, they should use spell-check. Avoid the pronoun altogether. Spell-check should be used before submitting an essay.

Avoiding Sexist Usage: Identify if each sentence is acceptable Avoiding Sexist Usage: Identify if each sentence is acceptable. If it isn’t, fix it. If you want to know where the store is located, ask a mailman. Ask a cashier whether he or she can tell you the price. A child should always be comforted when he cries. If the unknown graffiti artist keeps spray-painting buildings, the police will catch them. If you want to know where the store is located, ask a mail carrier. CORRECT! Children should always be comforted when they cry. him or her.

4. Inexact (Vague) Language Vague words are too general and don’t provide a clear picture. Try to replace vague words with specific ones that name a particular individual or quality. Vague: That was a good movie. Better: That was an action-packed movie.

Inexact (Vague) Language Make each sentence less vague and more specific. I felt bad when I woke up. The dog is small. Sally won a lot of money at the casino. Growing up plays a huge part in the story. I was running a fever when I woke up. The dog weighs only eight pounds. Sally won $5000 at the casino. Growing up is a continuing theme throughout the story.

5. Wordy and Redundant Language Wordy language results from using too many words when fewer will do. Wordy: I haven’t picked a major at this point in time. Better: I haven’t picked a major yet. Wordy: Due to the fact that I don’t feel well, I stayed home today. Better: Because I don’t feel well, I stayed home today.

Wordy and Redundant Language Redundant language occurs when a writer uses words that say the same thing. Redundant: He has reverted back to smoking. Better: He has reverted to smoking. Redundant: Sue’s two twins are celebrating their birthday. Better: Sue’s twins are celebrating their birthday.

6. Clichés Clichés are phrases used so often that people no longer pay attention to them. Writing an “A” paper is easier said than done. I’ll turn it in late, but it’s better late than never. Avoid using clichés in academic writing.

GRAMMAR #14: Exact Language Complete the full exercise online before our next class. Choose the sentence that is acceptable formal writing, not vague, informal (slang), insensitive, pretentious, wordy, redundant, or clichéd. A. Because I often make spelling mistakes, I always run spell-check on my writing assignments. B. Due to the fact that I often make mistakes all the time, I always run spell- check without fail. C. Because I often and frequently make errors or mistakes in spelling, I always take the few extra minutes to click the button and run spell-check on my paragraphs, essays, papers, and other writing assignments. A. My BFF has crap all over every inch of her room. B. The walls of my friend’s bedroom are covered with posters of celebrities and photos of friends, and fifteen stuffed animals sit on the comforter. C. My best friend, who is closer to me than anyone else, has too much stuff here, there, and everywhere in her room as far as the eye can see. A. All students have to redo their tests by taking their retakes by no later than December 3. B. Each student must complete his or her test retakes by December 3. C. Every student’s gotta complete his test retakes by December 3.

Appropriate, Exact Language and Conciseness (G#14) Break into teams to compete for extra credit with the class handout (only items 1 through 10). The team that chooses the most appropriate and original word for each blank gets an extra-credit point. If there is time left, we can work in small groups on the final-exam review.