This document discusses the properties of well-written text and proper language use. It identifies three common errors in writing: misused words, words with unwanted connotations, and technical or highfalutin words. For each error, examples are provided and reminders are given on how to choose words carefully and avoid unintended meanings or making writing difficult to understand. The document concludes with an assignment asking readers to write a news report using effective language.

1. PROPERTIES OF
A WELL-WRITTEN
TEXT

2. Question:
◦When do we say
that texts are well-
written?

3. CHALLENGE:
Can you deal
with these most
common errors in
diction?

4. 1. Which of these is not a
word or phrase?
•a lot
•alot
•allot

5. 2. Which word means
“feeling great
appreciation”?
•greatful
•grateful
•gratefull

6. 3. I consulted an attorney
_____ I met in Manila ?
•who
•whom
•whose

7. 4. Which word should be
used to fill in the blank?
There is _______ interest in
reading newspapers these
days?
•less
•fewer

8. 5. Bad weather can _____
people’s ability to work.
•affect
•effect
•both maybe

9. 6. ____ so hot outside.
•It’s
•Its
•Each’s

10. 7. If someone says “I’m
sorry”, you should ____
his/her apology.
•except
•accept
•expect

11. 8. Which of these words
means “to praise
someone”?
•complement
•compliment

12. 9. Which word means:
unaware or ignorant?
•obvious
•oblivious

13. 10. When your team
doesn’t win the game ,
it’s definitely...
•a lose
•a lost
•a loose

14. 11. The U.S. _________
building is in Washington
DC.
•capitol
•capital

15. 12. Choose the correct
word.
•All the students
took off (they’re,
there, their) hats.

16. 13. Which of the following
is the most appropriate
word?
•This should have
been (sited, cited,
sighted) as his
opinion.

17. 14. Which of these is a
correct word? It’s ____
than I’d thought.
•further
•farther

18. 15. A ______ bicycle is
good for exercise, but you
won’t enjoy the scenery
very much.
•stationary
•stationery

20. PROPER
LANGUAGE USE
Proper language use
allows you to capture the
message that you want to
convey to your readers. It
is all about choosing the
right words that
accurately capture your
ideas.

21. However, writers sometimes
encounter problems with the
following:
Misused Words
Words with Unwanted Connotations
Technical or Highfalutin Words

22. 1. Misused words
•A writer might sometimes use
a word incorrectly, and this
occurs when the word does
not mean what he or she
thinks it does.

23. Example:
•There are many
behaviours that past
societies considered legal,
but are now deemed
amoral including slavery,
sexism, and racism.

24. Reminder:
•The writer confused the word “amoral” with
“immoral.” The former means neither moral nor
immoral (without moral quality) while the latter
means not moral.
•The prefix a- signals that something is without
such as in “anarchy” (without a government) or
“atypical” (without typical features). On the other
hand, the prefix im- simply means not such as in
“imperfect” (not perfect) or “impossible” (not
possible).

25. 2. WORDS WITH UNWANTED
CONNOTATION
Some writers might not be aware
of these connotations, so they end
up using language that is
unintentionally confusing, comical
or even offensive to readers.

26. EXAMPLE:
SALVAGE
•THE COAST GUARD SALVAGED
PRISCILLA AND HER SISTER AFTER
THEIR FISHING BOAT WAS
DAMAGED IN THE STORM.

27. REMEMBER:
The word “salvage” means to
save usually from the wreckage
of a marine vessel.
However, the Philippine media
and police often use the term to
mean a violent killing, which is
opposite from its traditional
English meaning.

28. QUITE
That man’s work is quite
beautiful.
This word is often interpreted
as “slightly” among Filipinos. Well
in fact, this means “ completely or
entirely” to its extent.

29. TAKE A LOOK:
•Fill out (forms)
•Fill up (empty containers)

30. 3. TECHNICAL OR HIGHFALUTIN
WORDS
 Writers want to sound smart by using
words that are very technical or have
deep meanings. Though some writing
genres require the use of such words,
writers should still be careful about
using them since they make readers
work hard to understand texts.

31. EXAMPLE:
•There is an ongoing
discourse between the anti-
disestablishment
assemblage and the
administrative political

32. DISCUSSION:
 The text is complicated because it is filled with
words that are difficult to understand. If the
terms are important to use, then the writer could
define what they mean. Otherwise, the sentence
could be rewritten simply this way:
There is an ongoing discussion between
the opposition and the government.
 This sentence still “sounds smart” but it is easier
for most people to understand and it does not
change the meaning of the original sentence in
any way.

33. What is meant by GINGERLY in this
paragraph: She was deep in the road before
she became conscious of her shoes. In
horror, she saw that they were coated with
thick, black clay. Gingerly she pulled off
one shoe after the other with the hand still
clutching the letter?
A. disgusted C. hurried
B. careful D. determined

35. ASSIGNMENT:
•Reporter in a Day
• Look for a situation or event that
recently happened in your school or
in the community. Write a news
report about it. Remember the
characteristics of effective language in
writing.

36. QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
• “Knowing what to say is
important but knowing how
to say it is more important.”