Making the Dictionary a Friend - Proper Use of the English Language

The English Dictionary

Everyone knows that grammar and spelling matters in school. But what about the real life? Does grammar really matter when you're trying to score a job? What about when you're just sending a formal letter to friends? Since you're reading this article, you probably have already guessed 'Yes'. And you guess right!

While everyone may not admit that proper language is a reason for selecting or tossing applicants, it really matters. Well-written work creates an impression. Misused language just goes to show that you're not qualified enough to take your work seriously, which can devastate your chances to getting the desired job.

The English language is vast in size and contains several words with the same meaning. However, choosing the best word is what really matters. For example, I could say that this article is really interesting. Or, I could say that this article is thought-provoking.

See what just happened there? Changing one word changes the whole impression of the statement. Learning how to use these "impressive" words is what this article is all about.

It can be really easy to just look up a word in a thesaurus and then pick the synonym that sounds the best. However, most of the time, the synonyms don't fit in the statement. Unless you really understand the meaning of the word you are plugging in, your document will probably contain mistakes from top to bottom!

Therefore, use a combination of reference books. This includes the thesaurus and the dictionary! Yes, the boring dictionary. But there's some good news, you don't have to pick up the old dusty books and search words, you can do everything electronically!

You can use this Dictionary Download [http://www.dictionarydownload.net] for instance, to get an electronic version of the Oxford Concise English Dictionary! There are also many downloads out there to get a great thesaurus! So next time you create a new document, take in account which words you use. The dictionary can be your best friend!

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Writing Tools - The Dictionary is Your Friend

Writing Tools: The dictionary is your friend

"The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning." - Mark Twain

Writers love words. Some might say that writers are obsessed with words, with finding the right words. In each and every project writers journey on a constant and continual quest for the perfect words to express their thoughts, their visions, their characters and their stories. This is not a futile quest. Words are all a writer has at their disposal to tell a story. Words give flesh and bone to a character. Words create images in the minds of an audience. Words make an audience feel. The right word, the perfect word has a lot of power. Finding the right word differentiates good writing from great. The perfect word helps a writer become specific, effective, and efficient.

Unless you are blessed with a vast computer data base of a vocabulary to draw from, the easiest and best place to search for the perfect word is the dictionary. This is more than finding the correct spelling of a word. When it comes to the perfect word, the dictionary is your best friend. And you shouldn't just have one dictionary. All dictionaries are not created equal. Every writer should have a variety of dictionaries on their desk and at their at their fingertips:

Start with a standard dictionary (such as the Concise Oxford English Dictionary), a Thesaurus, and a Rhyming dictionary. Sometimes it's easier to open a book than to search online. Perhaps you're working intently with pen and paper and don't want to get out of that rhythm to open your computer.

Having said that, books are finite and are not always up to date. They may only have room for one or two definitions. Access to online dictionaries such as www.dictionary.com will provide an infinite number of solutions to finding the perfect word.

You should have access to a dictionary with archaic definitions. Sometimes the meanings of words change over time. If you're writing a period piece, hunt around for a dictionary of the era. Not only do meanings change, but words appear and disappear depending on their usage.

What else? Specialized dictionaries that have lists of words for a specific profession (such as a medical or law dictionary), phrase dictionaries, slang dictionaries.

Further to to finding the right word for a certain project, use the dictionary as an exercise tool. Open up your dictionary to a random page, and point to any word. Go to the word of the day on an online dictionary. Write 50 words on that one word. Describe the word using the five senses. What character would have their word as part of their vocabulary?

A writer should use every available tool to take their writing to the next level. Use the dictionary to create a specific vocabulary of a character. Use the dictionary to find the exact word you want to describe a location, a behaviour, an emotion. Use the dictionary to find the perfect word.

Lindsay Price is the resident playwright for Theatrefolk, an independent publisher of playscripts for schools and student performers. http://www.theatrefolk.com

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