The document discusses using specific nouns and modifiers when writing to help readers visualize and connect with the content. It recommends choosing words that appeal to the senses and using a dictionary to find the most precise terms. Both denotation and connotation of words are important. Writers should also be aware of idioms, slang, and jargon and how they may be interpreted by different audiences.

1. Specific Nouns and
Modifiers
Sell the Sizzle

2. Concrete, Specific
Nouns
• When a sentence contains specific,
identifiable characters, the reader
can visualize and “buy into” the
image.
• An old car drove down the road.
− Verses
• A dented, badly rusted, metallic blue
Dodge minivan limped down the road.

3. Specific Modifiers
• Choose Peppers Hot, sweet,
red, jalapeño
modifiers
(adjectives and Words Whispered,
shouted, soft
adjective
phrases) that Stove Wood-
burning, hot,
directly appeal filthy
to the five Peaches Unripe,
sweet, fuzzy
senses.
Skin Oily, pitted,
velvet

4. Finding the Right
Word
• For goodness sake, use a
dictionary. There are 176
entries for the word run—could
you be more specific?
• On-line
• Unabridged or abridged

5. Finding the Right
Word
• Thesaurus comes from the Greek
word for treasure—use one of
these, too!
• Make sure the word carries the
meaning you want
• On-line and hard copy
• Antonyms
• Shift F7

6. Denotation
• What is the exact meaning of
the word?
• Bread
• a usually baked and leavened food
made of a mixture whose basic
constituent is flour or meal
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

7. Connotation
• What are all the “things”
associated with the word?
• Bread
• Cash
• Bread and butter
• Give us our daily bread
• Bread of life
• Put bread on the table
• What are the connotations of liberal
and conservative?

8. Idioms
• Widely accepted speech patterns:
• Why do we ride IN a car but ON a train?
• Why do we TAKE a picture but MAKE a recording?
• Phrasal verbs-a combination of a preposition and
a verb that have meaning different than the lone
verb. Consider the following:
• How did this COME ABOUT?
• When did the question COME UP.
• I thought things would COME OUT all right.
• I was unconscious, but I soon CAME TO.
• Trust your ear-
• Second language learners, consult a dictionary or a
native speaker.

9. Slang and Jargon
• Slang-informal language unique to
groups.
• lol, cool, duh, like, awesome, just
• Use sparingly in academic writing.
• Jargon-technical language usually
associated with certain fields of
study.
• Know your audience and use
accordingly.

10. Slang and Jargon
• Slang-informal language unique to
groups.
• lol, cool, duh, like, awesome, just
• Use sparingly in academic writing.
• Jargon-technical language usually
associated with certain fields of
study.
• Know your audience and use
accordingly.