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The
Perfect Word
by Susan J. Letham
Quick Quiz: What's
the difference between the following two
statements: (a) "I can write" and (b) "I'm
a writer"?
The answer is... Just because someone can write
doesn't mean
she's a writer. The word "writer" has
connotations that go
beyond knowledge of the alphabet and the ability to make
the
right marks on a page. Being a writer isn't just about
words, it's about choosing the right words--the perfect
words--for what you want to say.
"The difference between the almost-right word and the
right
word is the difference between the lightning bug and the
lightning." (Mark Twain)
There's a world of difference between the functional
ability
to write and being a writer in the creative, literary
sense
of the word. One of the main differences is
vocabulary--the
writer's ability to choose the perfect word. When we call
ourselves writers we imply that we have certain skills
that
go beyond baseline literacy.
Connotations
The name for those implied meanings is
"connotations." The
word connotations has Latin roots and is made up of the
prefix "con," which means "together,"
and "notare," which
means "to mark" or "to note." The verb
is "to connote."´
Connotations are the implied meanings of a word, the
overtones and associations you have for a term over and
above the literal, dictionary meaning.
Denotations
While we're at it, let's name the dictionary definition
for
the sake of completeness. The formal term for the literal,
dictionary meaning of a word is a "denotation."
Show me!
The denotation--the denoted meaning or dictionary
definition
--of "home," for example, is "the place
where one lives" or
"the country or area of one's birth," but, over
and above
that, the word "home" connotes things like
safety, security,
love, warmth, comfort, belonging, and well-being.
Connotations in daily use
Some words are more neutral than others, some carry more
connotations--are more "heavy with
meaning"--than others.
Most adults easily recognize words that ooze connotations.
Many of the words used in advertising and political
speeches
are chosen for their connotations: it's what advertising
and
political spin are all about.
Stop! Think! What are some connotations of the word
"spin"
as I used it in the previous paragraph? What do you think
I was trying to say between the lines when I used the word
"spin" instead of a neutral word like
"language"?
Messages between the lines
We use connotations to say things "between the
lines," so
that we don't have to be explicit. When I used the word
"spin," I used your knowledge and understanding
of common
social meanings, of your stored connotations, to convey a
message--an opinion--without expressing it explicitly in
many words. So, working with connotations can help you be
economical with words. The right word--the precise or the
perfect word--can help you "show not tell."
Neutral words and "meaning-rich" words
Here are some word pairs. The first word in the following
pairs is the more neutral word; the second carries richer
connotations: like/adore; clothing/garb; stout/obese; move
about/skulk, shy/coy; interested/obsessed; house/home.
What do you associate with the above words in each case?
Explore some everyday connotations
What do you associate with the following words and
phrases?
What connotations do these terms have for you? Make notes
about the things you associate with each of the
"(a)" words
and phrases and each of the "(b)" words and
phrases.
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- (a) Flag (b) Stars and Stripes
- (a) Country (b) America (or the name of your own
country)
- (a) Work (b) career
- (a) To go to school (b) to get an education
- (a) Mother (b) mom/mum/ma/mommy
- (a) Idea (b) vision
- (a) Law (b) justice
- (a) Religion (b) faith
What differences did you find in the connotations you held
for each of the words in the word pairs?
Which words and phrases conjured up more, or more vivid,
ideas and images for you?
In most cases you'll probably have found that the
"b" words
carries more connotations for you than the "a"
words.
Connotations and word families
Now let's take connotations a step further. Each of the
list
words below carries connotations. The words in each row
are
synonyms from a "family" of words, but each
synonym carries
slightly different connotations.
1. Write about any connotations the words carry for you.
2. Use a dictionary to help you find the precise meaning
(the denotation) of each word in the
word family.
- wise, prudent, knowledgeable, clever, astute, sage
- quick, hasty, sudden, immediate, rapid, prompt,
- battle, fight, contest, fracas, scrap, altercation
Denotations
Wise:
______________________________________________________
Prudent:
___________________________________________________
Knowledgeable:
_____________________________________________
Clever:
____________________________________________________
Astute:
____________________________________________________
Sage:
______________________________________________________
Connotations
Wise:
______________________________________________________
Prudent:
___________________________________________________
Knowledgeable:
_____________________________________________
Clever:
____________________________________________________
Astute:
____________________________________________________
Sage:
______________________________________________________
Your aim in completing this exercise should be to learn
the
precise and differentiated meanings of words so that you
can
find the perfect word to use in your writing and so that
you
easily grasp subtle shades of meaning in poetry and prose.
The learning-by-doing insight you need to take away here
is
that choosing the right word matters a great deal to how
your reader will understand what you are saying. Different
words carry different connotations. By selecting the
connotation that says what you mean it to say, you raise
the
chances that your reader will see the inner images you
want
her to see and feel the emotions you want her to feel.
© 2003, Susan J. Letham
Susan J. Letham is a British writer, creative writing
tutor,
and owner of http://www.Inspired2Write.com
. Sign up for
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