17.

2 Using Appropriate Language

LEA RN IN G OBJ EC TIV ES

1. Be aware that some words are commonly confused with each other.

2. Recognize and use appropriate words, taking care to avoid jargon or slang.

3. Write in a straightforward manner and with the appropriate level of formality.

As a writer, you do not want inappropriate word choice to get in the way of your
message. For this reason, you need to strive to use language that is accurate and
appropriate for the writing situation. Learn for yourself which words you tend to
confuse with each other. Omit jargon (technical words and phrases common to a specific
profession or discipline) and slang (invented words and phrases specific to a certain
group of people), unless your audience and purpose call for such language. Avoid using
outdated words and phrases, such as “dial the number.” Be straightforward in your
writing rather than using euphemisms (a gentler, but sometimes inaccurate, way of
saying something). Be clear about the level of formality needed for each different piece
of writing and adhere to that level.

Focusing on Easily Confused Words

Words in homophone sets are often mistaken for each other. (See Chapter 19
"Mechanics", Section 19.1.3 "Homophones" for more about homophones.) Table 17.1
"Commonly Confused Words"presents some examples of commonly confused words
other than homophones. You will notice that some of the words in the table have similar
sounds that lead to their confusion. Other words in the table are confused due to similar
meanings. Keep your personal list handy as you discover pairings of words that give you
trouble.
Table 17.1 Commonly Confused Words

affect effect good well

all ready already lay lie
allusion illusion leave let
among between ordinance ordnance
are our precede proceed
award reward quiet quite
breath breathe quote quotation
can may sit set
conscienc
conscious statue statute
e
desert dessert that which
emigrate immigrate through thorough
especially specially who whom
explicit implicit

Writing without Jargon or Slang

Jargon and slang both have their places. Using jargon is fine as long as you can safely
assume your readers also know the jargon. For example, if you are a lawyer, and you are
writing to others in the legal profession, using legal jargon is perfectly fine. On the other
hand, if you are writing for people outside the legal profession, using legal jargon would
most likely be confusing, and you should avoid it. Of course, lawyers must use legal
jargon in papers they prepare for customers. However, those papers are designed to
navigate within the legal system.

You are, of course, free to use slang within your personal life, but unless you happen to
be writing a sociolinguistic study of slang itself, it really has no place in academic
writing. Even if you are writing somewhat casual responses in an online discussion for a
class, you should avoid using slang or other forms of abbreviated communication
common to IM (instant messaging) and texting.
Choosing to Be Straightforward

Some writers choose to control meaning with flowery or pretentious language,

euphemisms, and double-talk. All these choices obscure direct communication and
therefore have no place in academic writing. Study the following three examples that
clarify each of these misdirection techniques.

Straightforward
Technique Example Misdirection Involved
Alternative
Your delightful invitation
The speaker seems to be
arrived completely out of the
trying very hard to relay We are really sorry, but
Flowery or blue, and I would absolutely
serious regrets for having we have a prior
pretentious love to attend such a
to refuse an invitation. But commitment. I hope you
language significant and important
the overkill makes it sound have a great event.
event, but we already have a
insincere.
commitment.
The speaker wants to talk
My father is follicly about his or her father’s
Euphemisms My father is bald.
challenged. lack of hair without having
to use the word “bald.”
I was unavoidably detained
The speaker was busy with
from arriving to the evening
a colleague after work and I’m sorry to be late to
meeting on time because I
Double-talk is trying to explain being the meeting. Work ran
became preoccupied with one
tardy for an evening later than usual.
of my colleagues after the
meeting.
close of the work day.

Presenting an Appropriate Level of Formality

Look at the following three sentences. They all three carry roughly the same meaning.
Which one is the best way to write the sentence?

1. The doctor said, “A full eight hours of work is going to be too much for this
patient to handle for at least the next two weeks.”

2. The doctor said I couldn’t work full days for the next two weeks.

3. my md said 8 hrs of wrk R 2M2H for the next 2 wks.

If you said, “It depends,” you are right! Each version is appropriate in certain situations.
Every writing situation requires you to make a judgment regarding the level of formality
you want to use. Base your decision on a combination of the subject matter, the
audience, and your purpose for writing. For example, if you are sending a text message
to a friend about going bowling, the formality shown in example three is fine. If, on the
other hand, you are sending a text message to that same friend about the death of a
mutual friend, you would logically move up the formality of your tone at least to the
level of example two.

KEY TA KEAWAYS

 Some words are confused because they sound alike, look alike, or both. Others are
confused based on similar meanings.

 Confine use of jargon to situations where your audience recognizes it.

 Use slang and unofficial words only in your informal, personal writing.

 Write in a straightforward way without using euphemisms or flowery language to

disguise what you are saying.

 Make sure you examine the subject matter, audience, and purpose to determine
whether a piece of writing should be informal, somewhat casual, or formal.