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Cooperative Online Writing Lab

Learn how to write effectively by avoiding jargon, slang, and inappropriate language. Find tips on word choice, formality, and more.

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Cooperative Online Writing Lab

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  1. Cooperative Online Writing Lab Word Choice: Appropriate Language Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  2. Stay away from jargon. • What is jargon? Jargon is a specialized language used among members of a trade, profession, or group. • Examples of jargon and their alternate words are in parenthesis: commence (begin), components (parts), endeavor (try), exit (leave), facilitate (help), factor (cause), indicator (sign), optimal best (best), parameters (boundaries, limits), prior to (before), utilize (use), viable (workable). Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  3. Showy Pre-owned automobile Economically deprived Strategic withdrawal Chemical dependency Downsize Correctional facility Plain English Used car Poor Retreat or defeat Drug addiction Lay off Prison Avoid showy language. Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  4. Avoid obsolete, archaic, and invented words. • Obsolete words are out-dated words. • Archaic words are old words that are still used, but only in special contexts such as literature or advertising. • Although dictionaries may list obsolete or archaic words, they still are not appropriate for current use. Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  5. A few words that are considered slang: Cool Neat Wicked Awesome Examples of regional expressions and their corrections in white: Cut on the lights Turn on the lights Going down the tubes Waste Gross you out Disgust you In most contexts, avoid slang, regional expressions, and nonstandard English. Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  6. Inappropriate: Chairman Congressman Fireman Mankind Salesman Weatherman Appropriate: Chairperson Representative, legislator Firefighter People, humans Salesperson Weather forecaster, meteorologist Avoid sexist language. Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  7. It’s your turn.Correct each sentence. In Nicaragua, the most economically deprived neighborhood actually lived in the dump. In Nicaragua, the poorest neighborhood lived in the dump. The meeting commenced as the leader cut the lights on and off. The meeting began as the leader turned the lights on and off. Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  8. More Practice The boxing match betwixt Brian and John was competitive. Police officers and firefighters are heroes. The boxing match between Brian and John was competitive. Policemen and firemen are heroes. Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  9. Choose an appropriate level of formality. • Click mouse to receive tips. • Consider both your subject and your audience. • For most college and professional writing, some degree of formality is appropriate. • Informal writing is for private letters, e-mail, articles in popular magazines, and business correspondence between close associates. • Contractions (don’t, I’ll) and colloquial words (kids, buddy) are considered informal. Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  10. Choose if the samples are formal or informal. Find clues that tell you this. Audience Dear Grandma, Slang ‘s INFORMAL The weather has been awesome. I can’t believe it’s spring. My classes are getting pretty tough. Exams are in two weeks. ‘s Simple sentences Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  11. Another Sample Audience Mr. Phillips: I must address the topic discussed in our last meeting. The information I gathered was relevant at the time; however, the data has changed since a new research report was released. The company cannot rely on old reports. I will gather updated information immediately. FORMAL Complex sentence Two words Two words Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  12. You now know what is appropriate when writing! Bluefield College COWL, 2005

  13. Need More Assistance? Stop by the Writing Center Come back to COWL again and again! or We Mooove fast to help you! Bluefield College COWL, 2005

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