Programs and Areas
First Year Writing Program
Teaching Resources: Style
Tried & True Home
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Transitions | Transition Derby | Commonly Used Transitions |
Balderdash | Sentence Structure Activity | Slang, Cliches, and Informal Language |
Another Informal Language Activity | Style Tightening Your Writing | Tailor It to the Class Needs |
All Purpose Writing Activity | Throat Clearing Phrases | Cutting the Fat | Word Choice
Why Do Word Choices Matter?
submitted by Andy ScahillExamine the following sets of words that are used often to describe the same subject, and determine how and why the word choice makes a difference in each instance (“So What?”). What different effect does each have on the reader? What do the different phrases suggest, emphasize, or what associations do they create? What does each reveal about the author or speaker’s subject position?
| Ex. 1 | Vs. | Ex. 2 | So what? |
| Government misinformation | Government deceit | ||
| Retarded | Mentally challenged | ||
| Columbus highway shooter | Columbus highway sniper | ||
| Insane Asylum | Mental hospital | ||
| Erotic dancer | Stripper | ||
| Domestic worker | Servant | ||
| War on Iraq | Middle Eastern Conflict | ||
| Cancer survivor | Cancer victim | ||
| Prison | Correctional facility | ||
| Wheelchair-bound | Wheelchair user | ||
| Steroid | Performance enhancement drug |
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| Alleged assailant | Criminal suspect |
Download this as a handout (Microsoft Word format).
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