Word choice is about choosing the perfect words. Here are some things to think about when choosing your words.

Use just the words you need. No need to use a lot of filler words. Just say what you mean. “I think…” instead of “I am of the opinion that perhaps…”

Use specific words.

• Adjectives
  • decaying instead of old
  • honest and dependable instead of good
  • like blushing cheeks instead of red
• Verbs
  • sprinted instead of ran
  • grumbled instead of said
  • flopped instead of sat
• Nouns
  • poodle instead of dog
  • cottage instead of house
  • lemonade instead of drink

Use all the senses. Describe how things looked, felt, smelled, tasted, and sounded.

Use metaphors and similes.

Use sentences with action verbs.

• “The yard was covered with snow” becomes “the snow covered the yard.” Or, “the snow covered the yard like a blanket.”

Practice

What would be a better word to replace each of these? bad, smelled, coat