Why Writers Should Use More Specific Words

Panic writing this post because I totally forgot it was Saturday today. Here you go! I hope you enjoy!

What Do You Mean By Specific Words?

In a few words, what I mean is 'words that are particularly chosen to fit in a sentence to create the clearest picture possible.'

Here is an example:

Don't say 'sad'. Say: 'sorrowful', 'mourning', 'heartbroken', 'depressed', 'torn', 'somber', or even 'disappointed'.

Or...don't say 'angry'. Say: 'enraged', 'furious', 'bitter', 'seething', 'frustrated', or 'livid'.

Or, you know, don't say 'smooth'. Say: 'level', 'flat', 'uniform', 'horizontal', or 'pressed'.

But Why Would I Use More Specific Words In My Stories?

Here's why:

1. It adds context.

   There is a difference between being sorrowful and being heartbroken. To be sorrowful is to be deeply, deeply sad. It also usually comes with a tidbit of confusion and lots of pain. But to be heartbroken is to be aching from the inside out. You can't breathe, you can't see, everything is worthless.

   Use specific words that tell about what the person is feeling directly. Don't be vague. They may be synonyms, but they're not the same.

2. One word can be worth thousands.

   Have you ever heard the saying: 'A picture's worth a thousand words'? Well, it's kind of the same with specific words. We can talk on end about what it is to be heartbroken, but sometimes all our writing needs is to be direct (see more in this post on Show, Don't Tell).

   Use the specific word and delete the rest.

3. Eeeewww...filler words.

   Sometimes, when we want to make something look extravagant or make a point, us writers use the word 'very'. She was very angry--use the word 'furious'. He was very sad--use the word 'mourning'. They ran very fast--use the word 'speedily'.

   Use direct words to clean up your text.

Okay Then...Where Can I Find Specific Words Like This?

Literally any thesaurus. Any app, any book and you'll find the word you need.

The website that I really like to use is WordHippo. You enter the word and get synonyms, antonyms (opposite of synonyms), definitions, rhymes, sentences, translations, and even pronunciation.

That's all for today!

The End