PPT PPT Module Module 15 15 Choosing Choosingthe the Right RightWord Word McGraw-Hill/Irwin ©2007, The McGraw-Hill Companies, All Rights 15-2 Choosing Choosing the the Right Right Word Word ♦To learn how to Choose words precisely Choose words ethically Choose words with appropriate connotations Think critically and solve problems 15-3 Choosing Choosing the the Right Right Word Word Start by answering these questions: Does using the right word really matter? How words get their meanings? Is it OK to use jargon? What words confuse some writers? 15-4 Types Types of of Words Words ♦Accurate Words ♦Appropriate Words ♦Familiar Words ♦Technical Jargon 15-5 Understanding Understanding Words Words ♦Denotation A word’s literal or dictionary meaning ♦Connotation The emotional colorings or associations that accompany a word ♦Bypassing When two people use the same word to mean different things 15-6 Negative Negative Words Words ♦Avoid negative words—choose positive alternatives Not guess, argue or stubborn but assume, debate or firm ♦Avoid stuffy words Not commence or utilize, but begin or use 15-7 Types Types of of Jargon Jargon ♦Technical Jargon Specialized terms of a technical field ♦Business Slang Terms, sometimes borrowed from a technical field, but used in a more general sense in business ♦Businessese Out-of-date terms or phrases you should avoid 15-8 Commonly Commonly Confused Confused Words Words ♦ Accept/Except ♦ Fewer/Less ♦ Affect/Effect ♦ It’s/Its ♦ A lot/Allot ♦ Among/Between ♦ Compose/ Comprise ♦ Stationary/ Stationery ♦ To/Two/Too ♦ Your/You’re ... from a technical field, but used in a more general sense in business ♦Businessese Out-of-date terms or phrases you should avoid 15- 8 Commonly Commonly Confused Confused Words Words ♦ Accept/Except... with appropriate connotations Think critically and solve problems 15- 3 Choosing Choosing the the Right Right Word Word Start by answering these questions: Does using the right word really matter?... jargon? What words confuse some writers? 15- 4 Types Types of of Words Words ♦Accurate Words ♦Appropriate Words ♦Familiar Words ♦Technical Jargon 15- 5 Understanding Understanding Words Words