写作_措辞

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Concrete words identify persons and things that can be perceived by the five senses --- seen, heard, tasted, felt, smelled. E.g table, boy, tree
Abstract words denote qualities, concepts, relationships, acts, conditions, ideas. They have no physical referent. E.g. freedom, democracy, love, success, responsibility; -ism words as communism, realism, romanticism, socialism, racism, capitalism
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2. How to achieve conciseness?
1) Rewrite or eliminate redundant pairs or redundant categories.
What are redundant pairs?
--- That means many pairs of words imply each other E.g. completely finished each individual final outcome past history terrible tragedy future plans
2) Good food 3) Good man
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1) Smile/ laugh giggle, chuckle, grin, titter snigger, guffaw beam, snicker, smirk, chortle, jeer, 2) Good food tasty, delicious, nourishing, rich, abundant, fresh, nutritious, fresh, appetizing 3) Good man warm-hearted, generous, just, honesBiblioteka Baidu, sympathetic, selfless, brave, honorable, considerate, righteous, upright, integrity, gentle
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Compare:
1) Formal:
Our attendance to class is required to be punctual.
We ‘re wanted to come to class on time. 2) Formal: In my opinion he is not of the individual who we desire. Neutral: I believe that he is not the man we want. Informal: I don’t think that he’s the man we’re looking for.
Furniture food
vegetable to smile to walk
to beam
to move
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3. Generalization:
Writing that contains too many abstractions can be hard to understand and scares the readers.
Ponder:
Why do politicians prefer abstract words to concrete words ?
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2. General words and specific words Concrete words and abstracts words are opposite, but general and specific words are not opposite. They form a relationship of meaning inclusion.
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Three categories of the level of formality
the informal --- to use colloquial words and slang writing situation: narrating casual conversation tone: relaxed, casual reader-writer distance: almost none sentence length: comparatively short diction: concrete and vivid words verbs: lively action verbs contraction: frequent use personal reference: frequent use slang & colloquialism: frequent use
Choice and Use of Words in Formality
1. Level of formality Formality: refers to the state of being formal. The level of formality is determined by the writing purpose, the audience and the type of writing.
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1.2 Choice and Use of Words in Conciseness
1. What is conciseness?
Conciseness means being direct and to the point. Vigorous writing is concise. A concise sentence contains no unnecessary words.
the bucket.
我那老头子刚才蹬腿了。
Informal
brainy pal flunk job kid knock off sloppy guy blow up cut down fire leave same tired
formal words
intelligent friend fail position child stop working untidy man explode reduce dismiss depart identical fatigued
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Practice
Study the following sentences and point out why they can achieve the humorous effects.
1) Happiness is a cancelled 8:00 class on a cold, stormy morning. 2) Panic is learning that next Thursday’s quiz is this Thursday.
Writing that is nothing but specifics give readers little guidance, and they will not grasp the main point.
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Exercise: For each of the following abstract words, give at least four concrete or specific words/ expressions related to it. 1) Smile/ laugh
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Three categories of the level of formality the medium-level (neutral)
writing situation: from serious to casual tone: neither too serious nor too casual reader-writer distance: little sentence length: variety of sentence length diction: mix of abstract and concrete words verbs: mix of action and non-action verbs contraction: occasional use personal reference: occasional use slang & colloquialism: few
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Diction --- Choice and Use of Words
Chapter
One
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1.1 Abstract Words vs. Concrete words; General Words vs. Specific Words 1. Abstract words and concrete words
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Features:
Generally, abstract words will change meaning with time and circumstances. Concrete words stay the same.
Abstract words are essential in making analysis, classification, inference and conclusion. Concrete words are useful in giving details.
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Three categories of the level of formality the formal --- to use big words and elegant words writing situation: academic tone: serious, impersonal reader-writer distance: considerate sentence length: moderately long diction: frequent use of abstract and formal words verbs: few action verbs contraction: few personal reference: few slang & colloquialism: few
Informal:
3) Formal:
My beloved parent has just perished from the earth to his heavenly reward
吾之先考猝然逾越红尘往受上苍之嘉奖。
Neutral: My dad has just died.
我爸爸刚死。
Informal: My old man has just kicked
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Practice: Rearrange the following group of three words from the most general to the most specific.
1) chemist professional biochemist chair
2) rocking chair 3) Cucumber 4) to look happy 5) to stroll
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General words refer to groups, categories. Specific words refer to individuals in a group. They are also a matter of relativity.
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E.g.
General word: livestock Specific words: horse, ox, pig, sheep,cock, duck General word: flower Specific words: rose, tulip, violet, Jasmine