Using specific word choice makes your writing clearer by helping you to convey your ideas to your readers.

1. “ House” What do you think of when you see the following word?

2. The word “house” can mean different things to different people.

3. The Word: House The reader’s idea of “ House ” The writer’s idea of “ House ” ≠ Language attempts to convey the writer’s ideas to the reader.

4. When Wiesel addresses Reagan, he is very flattering. This is helpful because he is such a well-known and respected person. When Wiesel addresses Reagan, he is very flattering. This is helpful because he is such a well-known and respected person. Who is he? Reagan or Wiesel? By describing the difficult experiences he faced as a child, Johnson creates a strong emotional response in his audience. By describing the difficult experiences he faced as a child, Johnson creates a strong emotional response in his audience. What kind of an emotional response? Is it disgust? Pity? Fear? Vague language makes it difficult to convey the writer’s ideas to the reader.

5. Try to make your language as specific as possible, so that you can convey your meaning to your reader. Word: “ Reagan” The reader’s idea of “ Reagan ” The writer’s idea of “ Reagan ” =