College Writing Skills/ CWS w/ Readings, 6E

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 43

Effective Word ChoiceEffective Word Choice

College Writing SkillsCollege Writing Skills, 6E , 6E and and College Writing College Writing Skills with ReadingsSkills with Readings, 6E, 6E

John LanganJohn Langan

Chapter Forty-three

College Writing Skills/ CWS w/ Readings, 6E

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 43

Slang

• Slang is usually out of place in formal writing.

• Some drawbacks to using slang expressions:– They go out-of-date quickly.They go out-of-date quickly.– They become tiresome if used They become tiresome if used

excessively.excessively.– They may communicate clearly to They may communicate clearly to

some readers but not to others.some readers but not to others.

College Writing Skills/ CWS w/ Readings, 6E

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 43

Slang

Someone Someone ripped offripped off Ken’s new Ken’s new Adidas.Adidas.

After the game, we After the game, we stuffed our facesstuffed our faces at the dinner.at the dinner.

I finally told my parents to I finally told my parents to get off get off my case.my case.

College Writing Skills/ CWS w/ Readings, 6E

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 43

At a loss

for

words

Word to the wise

Clichés

A clichécliché is an expression that has been worn out through constant use.

Short but

sweet

Sigh of reliefSaw the

light

Work like

a dog

College Writing Skills/ CWS w/ Readings, 6E

©2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 43

Pretentious WordsTrying to use fancy, elevated words rather than simple natural words may make your sentences sound stilted.stilted.

Pretentious: It was a splendid splendid opportunityopportunity to get some slumber.

Simple: It was a good chance to get some sleep.