Precise and Concise Use of Language

Mark Twain -- “The difference between the right word and the wrong word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”

Focus: Good writers use the language clearly, effectively, and efficiently. They choose words that are vivid and exact. By using words that are precise, good writers can be concise.

To help writers become more precise, it is important to know the DENOTATION and the CONNOTATION of a word.

Scrutinize these two versions of the same menu:

Succulent roast beef served in its own juice with tiny young peas and mashed potatoes . . . . $12.50

Bloody cow’s flesh with tiny young pisum sativum seed and squashed tubers . . . $.75

Same meals, but we would choose option 1! Why? Because of the differences in connotations of the words used.

Words are symbols, offering not only a precise definition, but also an emotion or feeling.

Denotation:

v  Example: Ineffective means not working well; not having the expected result.

Incompetent means not suitable, or not being able to give the expected result.

The meanings are SIMILAR, but not the same.

Connotation:

v  Use ineffective and incompetent in the following sentence.

v  Jorge is an INEFFECTIVE worker.

1.  Connotative meaning:

v  Jorge is an INCOMPETENT worker.

Connotative Meaning:

Connotative Meanings:

v  Can be negative, neutral, or positive.

Example:

Negative Neutral Positive

brainy smart brilliant

creep walk stroll

john restroom powder room

Exercise A: Write in complete sentences

v  Use Oxford English Dictionary on-line and look up one of the following words: cheap; brilliant; kindergarten; passion

http://www.etymonline.com/

v  Record the definition here:

v  Record the history of the word:

v  Make an inference about its connotative development (how did it get its meaning now)

Exercise B:

v  Identify and describe the positive, negative, or neutral connotations in each of the following sentences. What key word or phrase evokes that emotional response? How would changing that word/phrase change the impact of the sentence?

1.  The Serbians liberated Bosnia.

2.  Grandma is selling her objet d’art.

3.  The president is proposing tax incentives for business.

4.  The ingredients on a can of cat food contain fish by-products.

5.  She submitted to his requests.

6.  She dumped him because he was cheap.

Denotation/Connotation

APPLICATION:

Fill in the blanks for the words listed below. Determine a negative,

neutral, or a positive connotation for each sample.

Negative Neutral Positive

______look (vb) ______

______hold ______

______eat ______

______problem ______

______smell (n or v) ______

______laugh (v) ______

______observe ______

______inexpensive ______

______tell ______

______fight ______

______retreat (v) ______

______laid off (from a job) ______

______question (v) ______

______help (v) ______

______save (money) ______

______journey ______