Summary

Synopsis

Are you stuck in a word rut? Get your words working by using simple observation and practical techniques.

Objectives

• Distinguish weak words from strong ones
• Illustrate your thoughts with concrete words
• Decide when to use a verb, a noun, or a modifier
• Write vivid and evocative sentences
• Exploit the language resources on the Web and in print

Outline

• Introduction
• Overview
• Objectives
• Before You Start Writing
• You and Your Reader
• Your Dictionary and Thesaurus
• Painting with Words
• How to Choose the Right Word
• Show Don’t Tell
• Draw Your Own Picture
• Precision and Accuracy
• Precisely How?
• Subjectivity
• Be Accurate
• Don't Be Negative!
• Checkpoint I
• Nouns, Verbs, and Modifiers
• Nouns
• Verbs
• Matching Game
• Adjectives
• Adverbs
• Playing with Words
• Sound Devices
• The Ends of the Rainbow
• New Words and Expressions
• Neology
• Retronyms
• The Old and the New
• Jargon
• Clichés and Buzzwords
• Final Checkpoint