Without words, writing would be just a bunch of squiggles on a page. For most, if not all of us, we have to write many words before we can find the word that communicates exactly what we mean.
There are a number of ways to effectively choose our words including:
1. Tone of Voice. How do you feel about your subject? Are you amused, angry, inspired or something else? The words you choose will shape the tone of your writing.
2. Point of View. This is the way you, your interviewee or your character approach the topic. The beliefs, interests or values will put a different slant on what the reader learns about a topic.
3. What is the Purpose? Are you writing to inform, persuade, entertain, warn or encourage the reader to take action?
4. What is Your Style? The way you choose and put words together will influence your reader. In essence, it’s not what you say, but how you say it. A comic style has different organization and rules than a mystery or a romance.
5. What is the Mood? After reading the work, what does the reader feel? If you want your reader to feel anger, then the words you choose will be different than if you want your reader to feel disgusted, curious or amused.
Words have power in both written and oral communication. Choosing the right word will ensure that the reader gets the writer’s message.