Part 57 (1/2)

The thief _took to his heels_

196 CHOICE OF WORDS The words in which a thought is expressed ood use, and yet still be objectionable because they do not accurately and appropriately express the thought One should choose not ht, but the one word that best expresses it The following suggestions are given to aid in the choice of words:

1 CHOOSE SIMPLE ENGLISH WORDS and avoid what is called ”fine writing”

Young writers and newspaper writers are greatly given to this offense of fine or bo Examples:

FINE WRITING SIMPLE STYLE Was launched into eternity Was hanged Disastrous conflagration Great fire Called into requisition the services Sent for the doctor of the family physician Was accorded an ovation Was applauded Palatial mansion Comfortable house Acute auricular perceptions Sharp ears A disciple of Izaak Walton A fisherman

2 DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GENERAL AND SPECIFIC TERMS In soe, but more often specific words should be used, since they call to the e

Coh color_ of his face showed his embarrassment

His _crie_ e frame_

He was a _tall, heavily proportioned_ man

He was a man _six feet four inches tall_ and _heavy_ in proportion

It was an _i of _i of _impressive beauty_

His _fault_ was robbery

His _crime_ was robbery

3 AVOID OVER-STATEMENT OF FACTS The use of words that are too strong is a fault especially characteristic of Americans Examples:

Poor: The concert was _siood_

Poor: She ild_ over the mistake

Better: She was _much annoyed_ by the mistake

4 AVOID HACKNEYED PHRASES; expressions that have been worked to death Examples:

His paternal acres

The infuriated beast

The gentle zephyrs of springti bride was led to the hymeneal altar

Applauded to the echo