Writing- Word Choice Flashcards
What are some rules for picking word choice
- Avoid exaggerated, overly dramatic, or high-sounding language
Ex. Profitable, commercially rewarding, or worthy of great compensation- profitable is the simplest choice - Avoid casual or informal language
Ex. Hit the sack, slept, or dozed off- slept because the rest are too informal - Avoid vague and wordy language: words to look out for are people, things, something, stuff, matters, aspects, tons of
- Be aware of commonly confused words
Accept vs. execpt
Accept- to receive or agree
Except- not including
Affect vs. effect
Affect- verb, means to change or impact
Effect- noun, the effect of a change
Allusion vs. illusion
Allusion- reference to something or someone
Illusion- something that deceives the mind and creates a false reality.
Ascent vs. assent
Ascent- the act of rising upward
Assent- to agree or aprove of something
Cite vs. sight vs. site
Cite- to reference something
sight- vision
site- a place like a building site or website
Ensure vs. insure
ensure- to guarantee it and make sure something happens
Insure- cover something with an insurance policy
Advice vs. advise
advice- a noun, an opinion or recommendation
advise- a verb, to recommend
council vs. counsel
council- a group of people convened for advice
counsel- advice or instruction
Elicit vs. illicit
Illicit- adjective, means something illegal or not permitted
Elicit- verb, meaning to bring forth a reaction or response
Altar vs. alter
altar- place of worship
alter- to change
eminent vs. imminent
eminent- describes anyone who’s famous
imminent- something that is going to happen
precede vs. proceed
precede- to come, be, or go before
proceed- to continue
access vs. excess
access- the ability to, means of approaching, or entering a place
excess- extra or more than necessary
fair vs. fare
fair- equal, unprejudiced
fare- money or food
