Chapter 6 Choose words with care By Dylan

Chapter 6: Choose words with care By: Dylan, Jorja, and Reed

Modifiers You should cut unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. Redundant modifiers annoy readers and make writing sound puffed-up.

Example of Modifiers Don’t Write Let me provide my personal opinion. Let me provide my opinion. Talks will soon resume again. Talks will soon resume. Claire first originated the idea. Claire originated the idea. We appreciate your mutual cooperation. Ed outlined our final conclusions. We appreciate your Ed outlined our

Little modifiers Some little modifiers can make you sound uncertain about your feelings, thoughts, or observations. “Little modifiers” also weaken your sentences and your attempts at being persuasive.

Examples of Little Modifiers • • A bit Quite Kind of sort of Very A little Pretty much

Use the Right Words • • To, too, two There, their, they’re Affect, effect Accept, except

Verbs and Nouns You need to know that active verbs give your writing energy and momentum, and specific nouns make your writing precise.

Examples of Strong Language Weak: the lead guy was let go. Strong: The CEO of Ebbing Labs resigned today. The board of directors fired CEO Romney today. Unclear: The equipment doesn’t do a good job. Clear: The power washer lacks the pressure needed to remove dried material from the mixer walls.

Technical Words and Jargon Use plain English instead of “technospeak” or “business language, ” both of which are full of technical or professional jargon.

Example Business Speak: We expect all personnel, from regular to ancillary, to follow established protocol, thus ensuring benchmark compliance. Plain English: We expect all employees to follow established policies and to honor company standards.

Make writing sound Natural Unnatural Accordingly Acquaint Adhere Apprise Ascertain out Commence Concur Natural so inform stick tell learn/find begin agree

Questions What are modifiers? What are Little modifiers? What are some examples of Little modifiers? What are some Unnatural and Natural words?

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