Article Writing: Word Choice

It's the theory of the 30% brain.

Basically, when we're browsing the internet, our brains aren't really at full capacity. (And when I say we I mean the internet-using population in general.) We might be just wandering around, browsing on our lunch break. We might just be looking for a quick answer. We might have stumbled upon something by accident.

We have a very limited attention span, and if something doesn't grab us, or make complete sense within the first few seconds, we're probably going to shrug our shoulders and go somewhere else.

faradina wrote:When choosing words to use in your article, you must take into consideration not only the meaning but also the connotation of the words so that you will be able to convey your idea effectively. The wrong choice of words can lead to misinterpretation of the message that you are trying to deliver to your audience.

It is important to choose words that are specific - those words that name and describe exactly - so that your readers will understand exactly what you mean. Your vocabulary should be broad enough to let you use exact words in your article. If you feel that you need to increase your vocabulary, you can do so by reading and listening carefully, and then looking up the meaning of the new words that you encounter.

I regularly consult my dictionary for the meaning of words even in cases where the word is not new to me. In that way, I can be sure that I am using the correct word. In addition, I look into the connotations of the words. Connotations stir up feelings, attitudes, and experiences in readers and thus it is important that we use words with the correct connotations. Consider these:

“The man has smooth manners.”

“The man has slippery manners.”

The first has a positive connotation and the second has a negative connotation. When using either, you need to think if it is really the idea that you want to convey to your readers.

The choice of words becomes really important when you substitute words during spinning. The wrong synonym can change the whole meaning of your sentence, and, consequently, your article as well. Before choosing to use any word, make sure that it has the correct denotation (meaning) and connotation.