Choosing the Right Word Module Fifteen McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved Learning Objectives LO 15-1 Recognize value in using the right words LO 15-2 Apply strategies for critical thinking in reading, writing, and beyond LO 15-3 Explain principles for word definition LO 15-4 Distinguish acceptable jargon from other types LO 15-5 Define words with similar sounds but different meanings 15-2 Choosing the Right Words  Accurate Words  Mean what you say  Appropriate Words  Convey the attitudes you want 15-3 Choosing the Right Words  Familiar Words  Are easy to read and understand  Technical Jargon  Should only be used when essential 15-4 Does using the right word really matter?  Denotation  A word’s literal or dictionary meaning  Pound denotes weight, an animal shelter, a unit of money, or to hit 15-5 Does using the right word really matter?  Bypassing  When two people use the same word to mean different things 15-6 Does using the right word really matter?  Risk may be an efficiency issue at Amoco, but the Environmental Protection Agency may use risk to mean political peril or a health risk  Use accurate words to reduce bypassing or, where appropriate, a definition 15-7 Does using the right word really matter?  Connotation  The emotional colorings or associations that accompany a word  Preowned has a more positive connotation than used 15-8 Does using the right word really matter?  Use familiar words that are in almost everyone’s vocabulary  Short, common words sound friendlier 15-9 Does using the right word really matter? Four exceptions 1.Use a long word if it is the only word that expresses your meaning exactly 2.Use a long word or phrase if it is more familiar than a short word 3.Use a long word if its connotations are more appropriate 4.Use a long word if the discourse community prefers it 15-10 Thinking Critically  In its most basic sense, critical thinking means using precise words and asking questions about what you read and hear  In its most advanced sense, critical thinking means asking about and challenging fundamental assumptions 15-11 Is it OK to use jargon?  The first kind of jargon is the specialized terminology of a technical field  The second kind of jargon is business jargon  sometimes called businessese  as per your request, enclosed please find, please not hesitate 15-12 Getting Rid of Business Jargon 15-13 What words confuse some writers?      Accept/Except Affect/Effect A lot/Allot Among/Between Compose/ Comprise  Fewer/Less  It’s/Its  Stationary/ Stationery  To/Two/Too  Your/You’re 15-14 ... 15-10 Thinking Critically  In its most basic sense, critical thinking means using precise words and asking questions about what you read and hear  In its most advanced sense, critical thinking... The second kind of jargon is business jargon  sometimes called businessese  as per your request, enclosed please find, please not hesitate 15-12 Getting Rid of Business Jargon 15-13 What words...Learning Objectives LO 15-1 Recognize value in using the right words LO 15-2 Apply strategies for critical thinking in reading, writing, and beyond LO 15-3 Explain principles for word definition