Choosing Effective Words

The English language is full of words, and no two words have the exact same meaning. To write effectively, writers must consider the weight that each word carries and the subtle differences between synonyms. Doing so allows writers to communicate more precisely while making their writing more engaging.

Exploring Shades of Meaning

Synonyms often differ in their shades of meaning. While two words can share a definition, each may convey a negative, positive, or neutral implication.

The following bolded words are listed as synonyms in a thesaurus; however, they carry different shades of meaning that suit different contexts:

Neutral: As I spoke to the man, I realized he was a modest person.
Positive: The actor remained humble, despite his sudden fame.
Negative: None of us felt safe fighting alongside such a meek warrior.

These subtleties are especially important when writing about emotion. The intensity of a word can make a paper more or less credible and, therefore, more or less effective. Writers can adjust intensity by selecting appropriate synonyms.

Adjusting Intensity Through Word Choice

Low intensity: I was startled when I noticed the snake in the front yard.
Moderate intensity: My dog stood at my side, shaken at the sight of the creature.
High intensity: My mother stood petrified as the snake slithered across her shoe.

Writers should also consider the weight of adjectives, which can influence how the audience perceives a situation.

Weight of Adjectives

Mild: She may claim innocence, but there is a considerable amount of evidence against her.
Moderate: The significant evidence stacked against her gave the defense good reason to worry.
Heavy: She had no chance after the prosecutor presented an endless amount of evidence.

Notes on Using a Thesaurus

A thesaurus provides lists of synonyms, but it does not explain how those words are used. Because of this, writers must be careful to understand the differences in meaning before substituting a word. A thesaurus is best used alongside a dictionary.

Consider the sentence: The task was hard. The following are synonyms listed for hard:

Incorrect: The task was firm.
[No definition of firm implies difficulty.]
Incorrect: The task was consolidated.
[This does not convey difficulty.]
Correct: The task was arduous.
[Arduous means “hard to accomplish or achieve,” which accurately reflects the meaning of the sentence.]

Warning: Thesauruses built into word-processing programs often suggest synonyms without considering connotation. Using these suggestions without checking definitions can lead to incorrect word usage. If you are unfamiliar with a suggested word, always look it up in a dictionary.

Diction

In order to control shades of meaning, effective writers pay close attention to diction—the choice and use of words. Careful diction allows writers to control both the message they communicate and how their audience receives it.

To use diction effectively, writers must understand both denotation and connotation.

Denotation

Denotation refers to the exact, literal meaning of a word as defined by the dictionary.

The denotation must match what the author intends to say, particularly when choosing between homonyms or words with similar spellings.
Incorrect: The king rained for fifty years.
Correct: The king reigned for fifty years.
[Spell check often misses errors like this.]
Many words evolve over time. Pay attention to usage labels (such as slang, archaic, obsolete, or disparaging), which can affect meaning.
Definitions may be clearer when examined through etymology, or word history.

Example: The word detritus means loose material resulting from disintegration. Its Latin root, deterere, means “to deteriorate,” which clarifies its meaning.

Connotation

Connotation refers to the emotions or associations a word carries.

Connotations vary by audience. For example, describing a weekend as “lazy” may be appealing to some readers and negative to others.
Dictionaries often illustrate connotation by using a word in a phrase or sentence.
Etymology can also reveal connotation.

Example: The word plaintive means “expressive of suffering or woe” and is often illustrated with the phrase a plaintive sigh.

Example: The word meticulous comes from a Latin root meaning “fear,” suggesting extreme care motivated by concern or anxiety.

Final Note

Choosing “bigger” words can sometimes mean choosing more effective words. However, replacing a word can also change your meaning, affect your audience, or alter the facts you present. Explore new vocabulary, but always ensure that the word accurately reflects your intent and that you understand why it is an effective choice.