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Proper Language Use: Reading and Thinking Strategies Across Text Types

Proper language use is important to accurately convey meaning. Writers should choose words that match the intended definition and connotation to avoid confusion. Technical or obscure words can make texts harder to understand, so simpler language is generally better. Always verify a word's definition before using it and be aware of unintended meanings from cultural associations.

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Amihan Comendador Grande
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83 views

Proper Language Use: Reading and Thinking Strategies Across Text Types

Proper language use is important to accurately convey meaning. Writers should choose words that match the intended definition and connotation to avoid confusion. Technical or obscure words can make texts harder to understand, so simpler language is generally better. Always verify a word's definition before using it and be aware of unintended meanings from cultural associations.

Uploaded by

Amihan Comendador Grande
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Proper Language Use

READING AND THINKING


STRATEGIES ACROSS TEXT TYPES
Objective
• At the end of the lesson, you will be able to
demonstrate an understanding of proper
language use in a well-written text.
Activity
• Do you have trouble finding the right words to
express your meaning?

Are your compositions sometimes filled with


language that sounds awkward?

Would you like to know how to improve your


word choices in the texts that you write?
• The quality of your writing often has a huge
influence on the first impression you make on
people.
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.
• However, writers sometimes encounter problems
with the following:
– Misused Words
– Words with Unwanted Connotations
– Technical or Highfalutin Words
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.
So, it is important to be certain of the
definition of a word before using it; this often
happens with words that sound or look alike.
Here are some words that are confusing:
• accept - except = accept means to receive, except means to leave out or
take
• affect - effect = affect is a verb meaning to influence, effect is a noun
meaning result
• capital - capitol = capital is the seat of government, capitol is the building
where the legislative body meets
• compliment - complement = compliment is saying something nice,
complement is something that completes
• council - counsel = council is a group, counsel is a verb meaning advise
• descent - dissent = descent means a decline, dissent means disagree or
opposition
• lose - loose = lose means to not win or you can’t find something, loose
means roomy or unrestrained
• precede - proceed = precede means to come before, proceed means to
continue or go forward
• principal, principle = principal means the main person or part, principle
means a fundamental truth
• stationary, stationery = stationary means standing still, stationery means
paper to write on
Write the word of the correct answer.
• The school (principal, principle) came in to the room.
• My pants are too (lose, loose).
• We went before the teen (council, counsel).
• The (capital, capitol) of Colorado is Denver.
• I like all (accept, except) the blue one.
• This is a (stationary, stationery) bike.
• I would like to (precede, proceed) with my story.
• It was a steep (descent, dissent) into the cave.
• Most drugs have side (affects, effects).
• Warm bread (compliments, complements) any meal.
• I practice so I won’t (lose, loose) the game.
• The Senate was in session at the (capital, capitol) today.
• My daughter likes purple (stationary, stationery).
• The government’s decision met with much (descent, dissent).
• Everybody likes to receive (compliments, complements).
• Voting can help (affect, effect) change.
• You should always stand by your (principals, principles).
• He will (council, counsel) me to help me make the right decision.
• She was happy to (accept, except) her award.
• A joke should (precede, proceed) your speech.
Words with Unwanted Connotations
• There are words that take on a meaning specific to a
context. 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.
• Connotation refers to a meaning that is implied by a
word apart from the thing which it describes
explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional
associations or meanings in addition to their literal
meanings or denotations.
• http://literaryterms.net/connotation/
Read each of the following sentences. Decide from the context whether the speaker is showing
approval or disapproval of the topic. Then circle the best word to put into the sentence.
• 1. “The sooner we move out of this (home, dump),” said Jack, “the
happier I’ll be.”
• 2. This cell phone is (expensive, overpriced), but I don’t mind paying
extra because it has so many useful features.
• 3. You’re lucky to have Wilma on your committee. She has lots of
(original, crazy) ideas.
• 4. Boss Reed and his (cronies, employees) have controlled the politics
in this city for more than twenty years. I certainly hope the other
party wins this year!
• 5. It was a beautiful spring day, and the (stench, scent) of apple
blossoms filled the whole yard.
• 6. I hope I don’t have to share an office with Janice. Sandra told me
how (curious, noisy) she can be.
• 7. “I think Fay is an excellent president,” said the principal. “She really
knows how to (manage, meddle).”
• 8. Will you please turn your stereo off? I can’t concentrate with all
that (music, noise).
• 9. I love going camping and getting in touch with nature. The
woods are filled with so much (vermin, animal life).
• 10. What makes Jim such an excellent storyteller is his knack for
(invention, lying).
• 11. Mr. Benton had better watch out for that new assistant of his.
He’s a (clever, crafty) one.
• 12. I have a lot of respect for Jenny’s father. He’s rather (reserved,
antisocial) and dignified.
• 13. My brother can’t stand his mother-in-law. She’s practically a
millionaire, but she’s about as (thrifty, miserly) as a person can
get.
• 14. This coffee is very (bitter, strong) – just the way I like it!
• 15. Can you please ask the new saleswoman not to be so
(enthusiastic, pushy)? She is scaring away the customers.
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 harder
to understand texts.
• Example
• http://www.netlingo.com/top50/common-
expressions.php
Summary
• When you use words improperly, readers are
left confused as to what you are trying to say.
So, always choose words according to their
correct definition and connotation. Also, keep
your language simple enough to make your
text easier for readers to understand.

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