©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. MODULE 15 Choosing the Right Word

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Module 15 Skills Consider and choose appropriate language

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Module 15 Outline Module Outline Why does using the right word matter? How do words derive their meanings? When is it OK to use jargon? What words confuse some writers?

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Choosing the Right Word Why does using the right word matter? Helps get your meaning across Helps get the response you want

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Choosing the Right Word Best Word Guidelines To use the “best” words depends on context: –the situation –your purposes –your audience –the words you have already used

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Choosing the Right Word To communicate most effectively: –Use words that are accurate, appropriate, and familiar –Use technical jargon only when it is essential and known to the reader.

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. To communicate effectively use: –accurate words –appropriate words –familiar words –technical jargon (with specific ‘in-the- know’ audiences) Choosing the Right Word

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Understanding Words Denotation –A word’s literal or dictionary meaning. Connotation –The emotional colourings or associations that accompany a word. Bypassing –When two people use the same word to mean different things. Choosing the Right Word

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Using the appropriate words Avoid negative words & use positive alternatives –Not guess, argue or stubborn but assume, debate or firm Avoid stuffy words –Not commence or utilize, but begin or use Choosing the Right Word

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Jargon Types Technical Jargon –Specialized terms of a technical field. Business Slang –Terms used in a more general sense in business. Choosing the Right Word

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Choosing the Right Word Jargon Types continued … Businesseese –Out-of-date terms or phrases you should avoid.

©2007 McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved. Choosing the Right Word Accept/Except Affect/Effect A lot/Allot Among/Between Compose/ Comprise Fewer/Less It’s/Its Stationary/Stationery To/Two/Too Your/You’re Commonly Confused Words