Articles
Published November 2001
Power Words Support the Sentence, Complete the Sentence
Power words are active words
Power words are often verbs that drive your sentences forward and pique a reader's interest. The Canadian Press Stylebook gives two useful examples of how power words can replace passive sentence construction.
NOT: The economy experienced a quick revival.
BUT: The economy revived quickly.
NOT: At first light there was no sign of the ship.
BUT: The ship vanished in the night. (p.135-136)
The power words are "revived" and "vanished." In each case, they support the subject of the sentence (the economy and the ship) and complete the sentence.
 Power words are plain |
Power words are accurate |
| Article sections: |
Introduction Power words are plain Power words are active words Power words are accurate A final point
