Editing for Word Choice

Choosing the right word can make all the difference. Even words similar in meaning can end up being a compliment or a criticism depending on when you use them. Words can share a similar meaning (denotation), but the feelings associated with each (connotation) are very different.

Read the following sentence.

The baby was very clever. It already knew how to crawl into a room without making a sound.

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used the word “cunning” instead of word “clever”?

• The baby would seem sneakier.

• The baby would seem cuter.

• The baby would seem stupider.

• The baby would seem louder.

By definition, synonyms are words or phrases that have the same denotation (literal meaning). But synonyms almost always have different connotations (shades of meaning). Essentially, words have three “charges”: positive, negative or neutral. This means that words can be used to create a positive, negative or neutral feeling. Depending on the situation, words can move from one charge to the next.

Read the following passage.

“He’s very influential in the clowning community,” she whispered to her friend, pointing to the tall man in loose pants and rainbow suspenders striding across the room. “He’s a great artist. Balloon animals have never been the same.”

What is the “charge” of the word “influential” in this passage?

• positive

• negative

• neutral

• extremely negative

The denotation of a word is its literal definition as listed in a dictionary. Here's a good way to remember what denotation means: Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word. D is for dictionary and denotation.

Read the following sentence.

The hedgehog was ecstatic—she had found a hole to burrow into, and she happily settled beneath the ground, excited to sleep the day away.

Based on the context clues, what is the denotation of the word “ecstatic” in the passage?

• overly intelligent

• greatly impressed

• extremely happy

• often late

Connotation is the emotional meaning of the word. It's what the word brings to mind. Words can have negative, neutral or positive charges. That means they can be used to create a negative, neutral or positive feeling.

Read the following passage.

After winning the spelling bee, Bridget became cocky. “I can spell any word in the universe,” she insisted loudly, even in places where it was not required to spell things. Like at the movies with her friends.

Her best friend, annoyed, said, “I bet you can’t spell a word in German.” Bridget did not speak German.

“I probably can,” she insisted, “I mean, how hard can it be, right?”

What is the charge of the word “cocky” in this passage?

• positive

• negative

• neutral

• extremely positive

“Lazy” and “inactive” share the denotative meaning of not doing much or not doing anything. But there are vast differences in connotation. Would you rather be called “lazy” or “inactive”? The emotional meaning of the word “lazy” is far more negative than the more neutral word “inactive.”

Read the following sentence.

The man stretched slowly, then continued his sluggish walk down the street.

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used the word “unhurried” instead of word “sluggish”?

• The man would seem less lazy.

• The man would seem funnier.

• The man would seem more talented.

• The man would seem more talkative.

“Smacked” and “bumped” share the denotative meaning of hitting something or someone. But “smacked” implies a greater intensity of the contact whereas “bumped” seems milder and more accidental.

Read the following passage.

My grandmother is thrifty. She never throws out old clothes and saves all her jars to reuse as glasses.

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used the word “cheap” instead of word “thrifty”?

• The writer would seem unafraid.

• The grandmother would seem unknown.

• The writer would seem seem uncertain.

• The grandmother would seem ungenerous.

The phrases “a thunderous shriek” and “a loud sound” both literally mean a loud sound. But which would you be more afraid of? “A thunderous shriek” or “a loud sound”? “A thunderous shriek” suggests a more intense sound. Because of the word “shriek,” which means to cry out in a high-pitched voice,” the sound is associated with fear.

Read the following passage.

“How could you do this?” the painter screeched. “How could you paint that wall blue? It should clearly be orange.”

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used the word “whimpered” instead of word “screeched”?

• The painter would seem more pathetic.

• The painter would seem more powerful.

• The painter would seem more joyful.

• The painter would seem more intelligent.

“Army” and “herd” share the denotative meaning of many or a great number. But which sounds more fearful? An “army” of something makes you think of a battle or conflict. But you wouldn't normally associate a “herd” with the intent to fight or destroy.

Read the following sentence.

A flock of flamingos slowly picked their way across the lawn towards the Gupta family where they stood, waiting.

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used the word “mob” instead of word “flock”?

• The flamingos would seem friendlier.

• The flamingos would seem more elegant.

• The flamingos would seem more indifferent.

• The flamingos would seem more threatening.