1. Cooperative Online Writing Lab
Word Choice: Exact Words
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

2. The Dictionary and Thesaurus
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

3. Connotations
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

4. Purr words and Snarl words
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

5. Purr words Snarl words Positive connotation Negative Connotation
Thinking
Day-dreaming
Dancing
Jiggling about
Smiling
Smirking
Weeping
Sniveling
Writing
Scribbling
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

6. Test connotative meaning.
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
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

7. 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.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

8. 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

9. 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.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

10. Abstract and Concrete Nouns
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

11. Be alert for misused word forms.
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.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

12. Idioms 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

13. Examples of Idioms Incorrect Correct agree to (an idea)
agree with (an idea)
angry at (a person)
angry with (a person)
different than (a person or thing)
different from (a person or thing)
intend on doing
intend to do
off of
off
type of a
type of
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

14. Avoid worn-out expressions.
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.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

15. Use figures of speech with care.
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.”
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

16. 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.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

17. You now
know the
exact
words
to use!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005

18. More information for Purr and Snarl words can be reached by clicking on this link:

19. Need More Assistance? We Mooove fast to help you!
Stop by the Writing Center
Come back to COWL again and again! or
We Mooove fast to help you!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005