Nouns

1. Nouns Sin & Syntax A group project by: Andre Pablo Nara Nhat EWRT 1A Mrs. Raffaeli -Mcleish Marlene

2. What is a noun? • Noun derives from the latin word nomen which means name. • Nouns exist to name people, places, and things. • Things can be tangible or intangible. • Tangible things are perceptible by the senses. • Intangible things cannot be perceived by the senses.

3. Types of Nouns • Every noun is either a: • Person • Place • Tangible or concrete thing • Intangible thing • All nouns fall into one of the above categories and they may also belong to: • Common noun: refers to people, places, and written with lowercase letters. • Proper noun: referring to only one person, place, or thing and written with an initial capital letter. • Compound nouns: two or more nouns combined to form a single noun. (film star)

4. Strong Nouns • All nouns have to convey vivid images and powerful emotions. • They must be precise, rich, and pertinent. • To know whether a noun is strong or not you can guide yourself with the following tips: • Prefer the familiar word to the ostentatious • Prefer the single word to the circumlocution • Prefer the short word to the long • Prefer the standard to the offbeat • Prefer the specificto the general • Prefer the definite to the vague • Prefer the concrete to the abstract

5. Uses • Just because a noun has to be strong does not mean there is no variety when it comes to using them. • Nouns can be generic and simple without attention-seeking adjectives. • Descriptions that rely on heavy adjective use are prone to misinterpretation. Some of the best writers concentrate on noun-filled detail. • Brand names are an example of nouns packed with meaning meant to identify their product. The message here is: precise engineering

6. Seven Deadly Sins • When using nouns there are key mistakes to look out for. • Sin and Syntax has labeled them as the Seven Deadly Sins: • Sloth • Gluttony • Fog • Pretense • Gobbledygook • Jargon • Euphemism

7. Sloth • Words such as effectualization, disintermediation, and scrutinization are examples of clunky, inelegant nouns. • This originates from the combining of prefixes, suffixes on suffixes. • Clichés are also a signal of sloth because they require no thought. Over time the overuse of cliches have drained them of surprise and power. • Putting little effort into choosing your words, or hastily creating inelegant nouns out of other nouns.

8. Gluttony • You are a glutton if you use multiple words where only one would do. • Keep it simple, do not lengthen a simple word such as happy with in a state of positive emotions. • Instead of straight verbs and nouns you will end up tormenting your reader and scaring them away.

9. Fog • Fog is the act of using vague words instead of concrete ones. • An undecided writer’s foggy thinking will lead to words such as individual or phenomenon. • Example phrase: “The phenomenon of health anxiety” instead of “anxiety about health”. individual • Clear examples of fog can be found at your local government facility. element objective phenomenon

10. Pretense • Pretense is the use of pompous, inconspicuous nouns. • This occurs when the writer forgets his main goal is communicating with the audience through the use of appropriate words. Don’t be Mr. Moneybags • Whenever presented with the option of being snobbish opt for the simpler words. I’m famished from the lack of nutritious supplements.

11. Gobbledygook • Pronunciation: gob-uhl-dee-gook • Also known as bureaucratese – as in the language used by bereaucrats. • Any text containing convoluted English that results in it being excessively hard to understand or even incomprehensible. Al Gore: “No controlling legal authority.” Instead he could’ve said: “I didn’t break the law.”

12. Jargon • Jargon is the agreed-upon technical lingo amongst professions. • Doctors and lawyers are most notorious for jargon, and should avoid it when dealing with clients. • To make life easier, think of jargon as junk. • Example: a doctor saying “a bilateral digital amputation” instead of “lost two fingers”.

13. Euphemism • It’s a substitution for an offensive expression that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the receiver, using instead an agreeable or less offensive expression. • If it involves the death of a loved one, the use of inoffensive words is tact and not euphemism. • Euphemism is also known as pacification. • Example: Ronald Reagan trying to get the press to say air support instead of “bombings”.