Word Choice

1
Word Choice
Chapter Fourteen

• English Brushup, 3E
• John Langan

2
Wordiness
Using more words than necessary in your writing
often results in wordiness. In general, it is
better to be brief and to the point when writing.
Wordy To my mind, athletes are given far too
much money. Simple I think athletes make too
much money.
3
Slang

• Slang is usually out of place in formal writing.
• Some drawbacks to using slang expressions
• They go out-of-date quickly.
• They become tiresome if used excessively.
• They may communicate clearly to some readers but
  not to others.

4
Slang
Examples

• Someone ripped off Kens new Adidas.
• After the game, we stuffed our faces at the
  dinner.
• I finally told my parents to get off my case.

5
Clichés
A cliché is an expression that has been worn out
through constant use.
Short but sweet
Word to the wise
Sigh of relief
At a loss for words
Saw the light
Work like a dog