Use Specific Words

Sharp, specific words capture the reader's interest.  They enliven your subject matter and clarify your meaning.

Avoid flat, general words that fail to stimulate the reader or communicate clearly.

Specific word choices include:

• exact and proper nouns
• vibrant, active verbs
• modified noun phrases
• sensory words (words that relate to sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)

Employ exact names and proper nouns

Vague:         He washed his car.

Specific:     Jack washed his Thunderbird.

Employ active verbs

Jack scrubbed his Thunderbird.

Employ modified noun phrases

Jack scrubbed his canary-yellow Ford Thunderbird.

Employ sensory words

Jack scrubbed his canary-yellow Ford Thunderbird with lemon-mint soap.