Choosing Words

Word choice is an important aspect of effective writing and is something writers agonize over in the composition process. There are three aspects of words to keep in mind when struggling with word choice: denotation, connotation and diction. The denotation of a word is its literal dictionary definition. For example, the word "liberal" is defined as a person who is tolerant or nonjudgmental. The connotation of a word is its emotional coloring. For example, the word "liberal" in American culture means a personal who is socialistic in nature, a bleeding heart activist. The diction of a word is how a word sounds and the effect its sound has on readers or listeners. In other words, does a word sound soft or harsh or odd to the ear? For example, the word "liberal" is a soft sounding word and evokes a sense of openness and acceptance. When struggling with word choices, consider their denotation, connotation and diction. It is not enough to just consider a word's meaning or translation. Use the shape, sound, rhythm and tone of words to evoke the mood and emotional response you intend to elicit in readers. Words are a writer's tools. Use them thoughtfully and deliberately to channel your message in the most effective way possible.