Effective Writing

Effective writing includes making conscious choices with words. 

Effective writing depends on word choices, which words are used to convey writer’s ideas to the reader. 

Word choice can be made by specific strategies, such as using a dictionary and thesaurus, using words and phrases with proper connotations, and avoiding slang, clichés, and overly general words. 

Using a dictionary and thesaurus: Dictionary and Thesaurus, provide wide range of words along with other functions. 

Using proper connotations: Every word has two levels of meaning—a denotation and a connotation.  

• The denotation of a word is the precise meaning, or dictionary definition. 
• A connotation, on the other hand, is the emotional or cultural meaning attached to a word.  

Avoiding Clichés: Avoiding clichés in formal writing will help you write in original and fresh ways. 

Idioms: Idioms are articulations that have a meaning different from the dictionary definition of the individual words in the expression. Context clues help to understand idioms in writing.  

Choose strong, descriptive verbs: Choose a more descriptive verb to replace weak, almost meaningless verbs. 

Synonyms and Antonyms:  

• Synonyms are words that have the same meaning as another word.  
• Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning of a given word.