Word Logic

1
Word Logic

• Brenham Writing Room
• Created by D. Herring

2
Selecting the Correct Words

• Avoid Misused and Wrong Words
• Avoid Idiomatic Errors
• Avoid Inappropriate Levels of Language
• Avoid Inappropriate Tone
• Avoid Inappropriate Connotations

3
Avoid Misused Words

• Watch out for Homophoneswords that sound the
  same but are spelled differently and have
  different meanings.
• its/its their/there/theyre your/youre
• Watch out for other commonly confused words whose
  meanings and usage are often misused.
• good/well lay/lie affect/effect lose/loose
• Be aware of your own commonly misused words and
  always check for those in your writing.

4
Avoid Wrong Words

• Avoid using words that dont even exist.
• Irregardless (should be Regardless)
• Allready (should be All ready or Already)
• Alot (should be A lot or Allot)
• Its (should be Its or Its)
• Avoid using words whose meaning youre not sure
  of.
• Unless I get a bank loan, Ill be forced to lead
  an immortal life. (should be immoral)

5
Avoid Idiomatic Errors

• Some common idiomatic errors include
• similar with (should be similar to)
• off of (should be off)
• different than (should be different from)
• should of (should be should have)
• relate with (should be relate to)

6
Use Appropriate Levels of Language

• Avoid using Slangwords identified as nonstandard
  by the dictionary, as well as shortened or
  abbreviated words.
• Examples yucky, lousy, thru, info, TV, fixin
  to, 24/7
• If I dont get the job, Ill be bummed.
• My mom is really cool.
• Eventually, Ill go to grad school.

7
Use Appropriate Levels of Language

• Avoid using Clichésphrases used so often that
  people no longer pay attention to them.
• Examples make ends meet, hard as a rock,
  playing with fire, work like a dog
• Your point is crystal clear.
• I feel light as a feather.
• I plan to give 110 percent!
• Raises around here are few and far between.

8
Use Appropriate Levels of Language

• Use contractions sparingly.
• Always use contractions to avoid stilted phrases
  (lets go rather than let us go).
• Use contractions appropriately.
• A contraction is formed by joining words and
  leaving out one or more letters. An apostrophe
  is used to indicate where the letters have been
  omitted.
• Its it is
• Shes she is
• Youre you are
• The apostrophe must be place correctly!
• Doesnt, not doesnt
• Class of 06, not Class of 06

9
Use Appropriate Tone

• Tone is the voice you use as the writer of an
  essay.
• Some tones should be avoided all together or used
  very carefully in order to avoid offending the
  reader.
• Avoid using Invective (Angry), Sarcastic, Ironic,
  Flippant or Cute, Sentimental, Preachy, and
  Pompous tones.

10
Avoid Inappropriate Connotations

• Denotation dictionary meaning of a word.
• Connotation the emotional associations
  surrounding its meaning.
• home vs. residence
• conservatives vs. right-wingers
• assertive vs. aggressive
• Avoid using words that have negative,
  emotionally-charged connotations.

11
Selecting the Best Words

• Avoid using Vague Words.
• Avoid using Offensive Words.
• Avoid using Euphemisms.
• Avoid using Sexist Language.

12
Avoid Vague Wording

• Make your words as precise as possible.
• Unclear Tom can relate to Jennifer.
• Clear Tom understands Jennifers financial
  problems.
• Unclear The thief stole several things from my
  backpack.
• Clear The thief stole my notebook, my
  calculator, and my flash drive.
• Unclear I like to have fun on the weekends.
• Clear I like to go out to dinner and to the
  movies on the weekends.

13
Avoid Euphemisms

• Euphemisms are words that sound pleasant applied
  to subjects some people find distasteful.
• passed away vs. died
• under the influence of alcohol vs. drunk

14
Avoid Sexist Language

• Keep language gender-neutral, as much as
  possible.
• Try using plural pronouns, such as they, in
  order to avoid using he or she.
• Use gender-neutral occupational titles
• salesperson vs. saleslady or salesman
• police officer vs. policeman