Post by domynoe on Jul 20, 2018 10:17:04 GMT -7
Nouns
* general nouns give readers a vague, uninteresting picture, use specific nouns whenever possible to give readers a clearer, more detailed picture
examples: (from vague to specific)
woman ~ scientist ~marie curie
andmark ~ national landmark ~ mount rushmore
drink ~ coffee ~ cappuccino
belief ~ strong belief ~ conviction
Vivid Verbs
* use verbs that are strong enough to stand alone without an adverb and that show rather than tell, descriptive verbs that give a more specific image
* avoid overusing the "be" verbs (is, are, was, were . . .). look for another, often better verb, from another word in the same sentence.
* avoid passive sentence structure, try to use subject - action- object when possible.
Adjectives
* use precise, specific adjectives to provide a more interesting and clearer picture to the reader
* avoid adjectives that are overused and/or carry little meaning; if you can see what you are trying to describe, then use the specific words to describe it
examples:
what is meant by big, little, pretty, cute, fun, nice, good, bad, funny
if you can't picture the word itself in a specific way, don't use it
* use adjectives selectively, don't overload a sentence with adjectives
Adverbs
* use adverbs as sparingly as possible and only when they will add specific details and color to a sentence
* make sure the verb+adverb phrase cannot be better served by a more vivid verb; if they can then replace them with the more vivd verb
Choosing Right
* word choices should not only be specific and colorful, but also have the right connotation (what it suggests beyond its dictionary definition)/feeling.
* describe concretely using the five senses whenever possible: site, sound, smell, feel, and taste
Style
* avoid using a lot of short sentences in one place: combine them if possible for a smoother flow
* avoid passive writing: make the subject GIVE, DO, ACT and not receive the action
* use as few qualifiers as possible
* general nouns give readers a vague, uninteresting picture, use specific nouns whenever possible to give readers a clearer, more detailed picture
examples: (from vague to specific)
woman ~ scientist ~marie curie
andmark ~ national landmark ~ mount rushmore
drink ~ coffee ~ cappuccino
belief ~ strong belief ~ conviction
Vivid Verbs
* use verbs that are strong enough to stand alone without an adverb and that show rather than tell, descriptive verbs that give a more specific image
* avoid overusing the "be" verbs (is, are, was, were . . .). look for another, often better verb, from another word in the same sentence.
* avoid passive sentence structure, try to use subject - action- object when possible.
Adjectives
* use precise, specific adjectives to provide a more interesting and clearer picture to the reader
* avoid adjectives that are overused and/or carry little meaning; if you can see what you are trying to describe, then use the specific words to describe it
examples:
what is meant by big, little, pretty, cute, fun, nice, good, bad, funny
if you can't picture the word itself in a specific way, don't use it
* use adjectives selectively, don't overload a sentence with adjectives
Adverbs
* use adverbs as sparingly as possible and only when they will add specific details and color to a sentence
* make sure the verb+adverb phrase cannot be better served by a more vivid verb; if they can then replace them with the more vivd verb
Choosing Right
* word choices should not only be specific and colorful, but also have the right connotation (what it suggests beyond its dictionary definition)/feeling.
* describe concretely using the five senses whenever possible: site, sound, smell, feel, and taste
Style
* avoid using a lot of short sentences in one place: combine them if possible for a smoother flow
* avoid passive writing: make the subject GIVE, DO, ACT and not receive the action
* use as few qualifiers as possible