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Power Words: Use Them to Strengthen Your Writing
Published November 2001
Power words are plain
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Instead of accompany
use go with Instead of appeared use looked or seemed Instead of arrive use come Instead of complete use finish Instead of manner use way Instead of transform use change Instead of prepare use get ready Instead of possess use have Instead of questioned use asked Instead of verify use check Source: The Canadian Practical Stylist by Sheridan Baker, Ken Ledbetter and Lawrence B. Gamache, p. 317 |
Some writers think that using indirect, grandiose-sounding vocabulary strengthens a piece of writing. Nothing could be further from the truth. The more simple and direct a word the better, because it doesn't leave any room in the reader's mind for interpretation. Simple and direct does not mean simplistic or naοve. Rather, it involves the use of non-pretentious vocabulary that means exactly what you intend it to mean.
 Introduction |
Power words are active words
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| Article sections: |
Introduction
Power words are plain
Power words are active words
Power words are accurate
A final point
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