Download Writing Basics - ALS Writing Resources

Writing Basics
WRITING MODES (FOUR MODELS)
While all writing is a mixture of elements, four generalized purposes for writing, called “modes”, can be identified. Description is
painting word pictures, but these pictures should be considered multi-sensory. In description, the writer, in assorted
combinations communicates moods and movements, sights and sounds and smells, tastes and textures. Drama often contains
serious elements of description, but goes further, including characters placed in situations of interest that require some
resolution, or at least beg for resolution. In short, when people are put in a place with problems, and are in search of solutions,
drama results. Writing to explain, sometimes called expository writing, is text that seeks to inform or teach. Endorsement, or
argument, no doubt will include explanation, and may include description and drama, but maintains a first purpose of
persuasion. Of course, the endorsement mode may also seek to inspire. While no piece of writing is completely void of
endorsement, certainly there are special times when movement, persuasion and conversion are openly sought.
DESCRIBE (Descriptive)
I can call back the solemn twilight and mystery of the deep woods, the earthy smells, the faint odors of the wild flowers, the
sheen of rain-washed foliage, the rattling clatter of drops when the wind shook the trees, the far-off hammering of woodpeckers
and the muffled drumming of wood-pheasants in the remoteness of the forest, the snap-shot glimpses of disturbed wild
creatures scurrying through the grass — I can call it all back and make it as real as it ever was, and as blessed. I can call back the
prairie, and its loneliness and peace, and a vast hawk hanging motionless in the sky, with his wings spread wide and the blue of
the vault showing through the fringe of their end-feathers. I can see the woods in their autumn dress, the oaks purple, the
hickories washed with gold, the maples and the sumacs luminous with crimson fires, and I can hear the rustle made by the fallen
leaves as we plowed through them. —Mark Twain from “Childhood Memories.”
DRAMATIZE (Narrative, Story-Telling)
I held a florin tightly in my hand as I strode down Buckingham Street towards the station. The sight of the streets thronged with
buyers and glaring with gas recalled to me the purpose of my journey. I took my seat in a third-class carriage of a deserted train.
After an intolerable delay the train moved out of the station slowly. It crept onward among ruinous houses and over the twinkling
river. At Westland Row Station a crowd of people pressed to the carriage doors; but the porters moved them back, saying that it
was a special train for the bazaar. I remained alone in the bare carriage. In a few minutes the train drew up beside an improvised
wooden platform. I passed out on to the road and saw by the lighted dial of a clock that it was ten minutes to ten. In front of me
was a large building which displayed the magical name. ---James Joyce from “Araby.”
EXPLAIN (Expository, Informative)
Despite e.e. Cummings' affinity for avant garde styles and for unusual typography, much of his work is traditional. Many of his
poems are sonnets, and he occasionally made use of the blues form and acrostics as well. Cummings' poetry often deals with
themes of love and nature, as well as satire and the relationship of the individual to the masses and to the world. But, while his
poetic forms and even themes show a close continuity with the romantic tradition, his work universally shows a particular
idiosyncrasy of syntax or way of arranging individual words into larger phrases and sentences. Many of his most striking poems
do not involve any typographical or punctuational innovations at all, but purely syntactic ones.—Wikipedia entry on e.e.
cummings
ENDORSE (Argumentative, Persuasive, Inspirational)
Overachievers don't generally become writers because the skill set is so different. As I tell my writing students, if you want to be
a writer work on the finer points of gossip, eavesdropping and voyeurism; basically the pastimes of the underachiever, ways to
while away the hours. If you care to add smoking, drinking and carousing to your repertoire, you wouldn't be the first (though
you might want to watch the whining that can sometimes be a consequence of the drinking — it's more unattractive than you
think). At its best, genre writing can transcend its given genre. Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain and Dashiell Hammett wrote
little crime noir classics that often threw an unwelcome light on the ways a person will treat another person given the right
circumstances. And Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind" blew the bodice off almost all other romance novels. But if you
1
aren't compelled to write, because you're maybe an overachieving future investment banker, then a paint-by-number approach
might be the way to go, bookwise. –Whitney Otto from “Unoriginal Sins” in The New York Times May 12, 2006
SENTENCE STARTS AND STYLES
1.
The short sentence style of six words or less. (Seven words sound long) Violence kills. Remember the Alamo! He couldn’t
2.
The prepositional phrase start. (List of prepositions: aboard, above, about across, after, against, along, among, around, at,
get it right.
before, behind, below, beneath, beside, besides, between, beyond, by, concerning, down, during, except, for, from, in,
inside, into, like, near, of, off, on, out, over, past, since, through, throughout, till, to, toward, under, underneath, until,
up, upon, with, within, without) Through a thousand setbacks she kept her hopes. Beneath the elm branches and beside
the bard, the dog slept. Down the street and into our hearts went the marching band.
3.
Adjectives (singular or multiple) start. Weather-beaten, wind-blown, and remote, the lighthouse clung to the cape like a
tired child cleaves to a comforting mother. Shy and reserved, the young boy could not bring himself to look at his
teacher.
4.
Adverbs (singular or multiple) start. Gracefully the Heron took flight. Fearlessly, the diminutive quarterback went to the ball
5.
Infinitive start. (An infinitive is the word “to” placed before a verb.) To win the game, defend. To make a mark on the world,
6.
Transitional word start. (A list of transitional words: accordingly, also, besides, consequently, finally, first, for example, for
and barked out his signals.
do not neglect character.
instance, furthermore, however, in addition in conclusion, in summary, indeed, in fact, in other words, likewise,
meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, on the contrary on the other hand, on the whole, second, similarly, therefore, third,
thus) Moreover, the protagonist broke his own rules. On the other hand, a vacation camping in the mountains doesn’t
seem too bad either.
7.
Subordinating conjunction start. (List of subordinate conjunctions: after, although, as, as if , as long as, before, if, in order
that, since, so that, then, though, unless, until, when whenever, where, wherever, while) Before time slips away, let’s get
the chores done.
8.
Side-by-side short sentence style. The king laughs; the peasant weeps.
9.
Noun with appositive start. (Appositives rename the noun, usually within a modifying phrase.) His hair, a white shock of
curly links, gave him the mad scientist look.
10. Participle start. (participles are verb forms which serve the function of adjectives.) Kicking and Screaming, the protestors
would not be consoled. Encouraged by the poll results, the candidate found new energies.
11. Gerund starts. (Gerunds are verb forms which act like nouns.) Training for the US Marine Corp is no picnic. Sketching
realistic human hands is a significant challenge.
12. Parallel style. (Putting things in balanced series.) Everybody needs something to do, something to dream, and something to
love. In everything he did he was firm, fair, friendly, and usually first.
13. The front shift style. Lost were our dreams. Fresh fell the May petals. Red set the sun.
14. Juxtaposition style. (Sentences that place contrasting ideas side-by-side, usually in parallel.) His intensity made him
difficult, but his compassion made him winsome. Rather than accept the inevitable, she worked and studied, and in the
end, the inevitable never happened.
GRAMMAR PROBLEM AREAS
1.
NON-FUNCTIONING SENTENCES are those without one or more of the criteria which make sentences function: subject, verb,
complete thought.
2.
The DEPENDENT CLAUSE is a group of related words containing a subject and its verb which is incapable of standing alone
as a complete-thought sentence. (When the scholar first read the Constitution.)
3.
A SIMPLE SENTENCE is comprised of a single independent clause. (The students read the document.)
4.
A COMPOUND SENTENCE is composed of two or more independent clauses. (The students read the document and each
prepared a report.)
5.
A COMPLEX SENTENCE is comprised of a single independent clause with one or more attached dependent clauses. (When
the scholar first read the constitution, he was surprised by the terseness of the document.)
6.
A COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE is comprised of two or more independent clauses, with at least one of them having an
attached dependent clause. (When the scholar first read the Constitution, he was surprised by the terseness of the document,
and later he wrote an essay reflecting upon his observations.
2
7.
THE NOMINATIVE CASE PRONOUN is used as subjects of verbs or as predicate nouns. (I, YOU, HE, SHE, IT, WE, THEY, WHO)
8.
THE OBJECTIVE CASE PRONOUN is used when it is not the subject in a sentence or in the predicate noun position. (ME, YOU,
HIM, HER, IT, US, THEM, WHOM)
9.
THE POSSESSIVE PRONOUN is used to show possession. (MY, YOUR, HIS, HER, ITS, OUR, THEIR, WHOSE)
10. SINGULAR PRONOUNS must follow SINGULAR ANTECEDENTS. (Each student received his (not their) grade.)
PUNCTUATION PROBLEMS
THE COMMA:
1.
Used to set off explanatory elements in a sentence. (Einstein, the great physicist, was present during the discussion.)
2.
Used to set off parenthetical words. (The physicist, however, didn’t speak.)
3.
Used to set off introductory material. (Seeing him stand, the audience rose to its feet.)
4.
Used between an independent and dependent clause. (After the judge read the argument, his decision was made quickly.)
5.
Used to separate items in a list of three or more items. (He had the job of separating arguments, evidence, and
circumstantial events.)
6.
Used between two identical words. (Whatever it was, was wrong.)
THE COLON:
1.
Used to introduce statements. (The Senator began his speech with these words: “Greed must go.”)
2.
Used to introduce formally announced lists, when the last word before the list is a noun. (We shall teach the following
subjects: reading, writing and arithmetic.)
3.
Used between the basic sentence and a closely related explanatory note. (The magazine attempts to serve in a double
capacity: as entertainment and as instruction.)
THE SEMI-COLON:
1.
Used between independent clauses which do not have a coordinating conjunction. (Mrs. Jones may dodge the issue; Mrs.
Jones won’t.)
2.
Used as a “major comma” to set off a series of items when one or more of the items contains a comma. (The Sports Hall of
Fame inducted three new members: Larry Plane, the basketball star; John Seat, the great baseball catcher; and Wayne Jetski, the
hockey sensation.)
THE DASH:
1.
Used between changes in thought. (If you should find yourself in such a predicament—please don’t—be sure to call.)
2.
Used as a “super comma” for emphasis. (She was the statesman—the statesman the entire nation needed.)
THE PARENTHESIS:
1.
Used around non-essential explanatory material within a sentence. (The dentist from Russia (formally the Soviet Union) gave
the lecture.)
2.
Used for clarifying insertions. (The foul shot expert (a 95% shooter) offered some tips.)
THE QUOTATION MARK:
1.
Used to indicate quoted material. (“Hey,” she said, “look out!”)
2.
Used to enclose titles of materials that are considered as “parts of wholes.” (The article “Government and the Public” from
Time caused quite a stir.)
THE UNDERLINE:
1.
Used to enclose titles of materials that are considered “wholes.” (Morrissey’s new album Ringleader of the Tormentors hit
number one on the charts.)
2.
Used on occasion for emphasis. (He ate the whole thing.)
VOCABULARY LIST
1
3
ABASE to humiliate; degrade
ASCENDANT rising
COGNIZANT aware
ABATE to lesson; diminish
ASPERSION slanderous remark
COLLATE to put together in proper
ABET to aid; encourage
ASSAY to analyze chemically; to test
order
ABHOR to hate
ASSIDUITY care; diligence
COLLUSION secret agreement to
ABOMINATE to abhor
ASSUAGE to make less severe; to calm
defraud another
ABROGATE to abolish
5
COMMENSURATE proportionate
ABSCOND to flee secretly
ASTUTE shrewd
COMMODIOUS spacious
ABSOLVE to pardon
ATHEIST one who denies existence of
COMPASSION pity for distress of
ABSTRUSE hard to understand; recondite
God
another
ACCRUE to accumulate
ATROPHY to waste away
COMPLACENT content
AGGRANDIZE to enlarge
ATTEST to confirm
COMPUNCTION uneasiness; remorse
AGILITY quickness; nimbleness
AUDACIOUS bold
CONCLAVE secret meeting
AGNOSTIC one who believes God is
AUGMENT to increase
9
unknowable
AUGUR to predict
CONCOMITANT accompanying
AGRARIAN pertaining to farming
AUGUST majestic; imposing
CONDOLENCE expression of sympathy
ALACRITY liveliness
AUSPICES protection
CONGENITAL existing at birth but not
2
AUSPICIOUS favorable
inherited
ALLAY to reduce the intensity of; to calm
AUSTERITY severity
CONGRUENT agreeing
ALLEGORY narrative using figurative
AUTOCRATIC arrogant
CONJECTURE to guess; to suppose
language
AUTONOMY self-government
CONNOTE to suggest; to imply
ALLOCATE to set aside; to apportion
AVARICE greed
CONSTERNATION sudden confusion;
ALLUDE to refer to indirectly
BADGER to harass; to nag
panic
ALTERCATION angry dispute
6
CONSTRICT to constrain; bind
ALTRUISM unselfish devotion
BANAL meaningless; commonplace
CONTIGUOUS adjacent; touching
AMELIORATE to improve
BELLICOSE warlike
CONTINGENT conditional; dependent;
AMIABLE pleasant; kind
BENIGNANT kindly; gentle
possible
AMNESTY pardon
BICKER to quarrel
CONTUMELY rudeness
ACERBITY bitterness, severity
BIENNIAL occurring every two years
CONUNDRUM riddle
ACRIMONY acerbity
BLAND mild
CONVIVIAL sociable; jovial
ADAMANT immovable; unyielding
BLATANT objectionably
CONVOKE to call together
ADJUDICATE to decide (a case)
BLITHE carefree
COPIOUS abundant
ADJUNCT assistant
BLUSTER to speak boastfully
10
ADMONISH to warn
BOTCH to ruin through clumsiness
COROLLARY inference; result
3
BOURGEOIS pertaining to the middle
CORPULENT fat
ADROIT skillful
class
CORROBORATE to strengthen; to
ADULATION praise
BROACH to introduce a topic
confirm
ADVOCATE to recommend
BRUSQUE abrupt in manner
COVERT concealed; secret
AESTHETIC pertaining to beauty
BUFFOON clown
COWER to cringe in fear
AFFABLE friendly; courteous
BURNISH to polish
CREDIBLE believable
AFFINITY attraction
7
CULPABLE deserving blame
AFFLUENCE wealth
CAJOLE to coax
CURSORY superficial
AFFRONT insult
CALUMNY a false accusation; a slander
DANK chilly and wet
ANACHRONISM something out of its proper
CAPITULATE to surrender
DAUNT to discourage
time
CAPRICE an impulsive change of mind
DEBASE to lower in rank
ANARCHY absence of government
CAPTIOUS finding fault
DEBAUCH to corrupt
ANATHEMA ban; curse
CAPTIVATE to fascinate
DEBILITY weakness
ANIMOSITY hatred
CAREEN to swerve
DECREPIT weakened by age
ANOMALY irregularity; straying from the
CARP to complain constantly
DEFERENCE respect
norm
CASTIGATE to punish
11
ANTIPATHY dislike
CATHARTIC cleansing
DELETERIOUS harmful
ANTIPODES opposite side of the earth
CAVIL to quibble
DELINEATE to describe
4
CENSURE to criticize sharply
DEMEANOR behavior
ANTITHESIS direct opposite
CHAFF worthless matter
DEMURE shy
APATHY indifference; lack of interest
CHAGRIN embarrassment
DEPLORE to regret
APHORISM brief statement; proverb
CHARLATAN faker
DEPRAVED sinful
APLOMB self-confidence
8
DEPRECATE to disapprove of
APPALL to terrify; to shock
CHIDE to scold
DERISION ridicule
ARCHAIC no longer in use
CLANDESTINE secret
DESIST (desist from) to stop doing
ARDUOUS difficult
COERCE to force
something
ARREARS (in arrears) in debt
COGENT convincing
DESULTORY disconnected; rambling
ARTICULATE (adj.) distinct; (V) to express
COGITATION act of reflecting;
DICHOTOMY division into two parts
clearly
meditation
DIDACTIC instructive
ARTIFICE trickery
COGNATE related
DIFFIDENT lacking confidence
4
DIGRESS to stray from the main subject
possible
truth
DILEMMA difficult situation
FELICITY great happiness
MENDACIOUS untruthful
12
FERVENT emotional; ardent
MENIAL servile; low
DILIGENT industrious
FLAGRANT notorious; shocking
MERETRICIOUS showily attractive;
DISCONCERT to disturb
FLAMBOYANT showy
tawdry
DISCONSOLATE without hope
FLAUNT to show off
METAMORPHOSIS change of form
DISDAIN to scorn
FOIBLE minor weakness
METAPHYSICS philosophy of spiritual
DISPARAGE to belittle
FRUGAL thrifty
and physical
DISPARITY difference
METE to allot
DISSEMINATE to spread widely
MICROCOSM world in miniature
DISSIDENT disagreeing
16
MISANTHROPE hater of mankind
DIVEST to deprive
FURTIVE stealthy; foxy
MOLLIFY to appease
DOCILE easy to handle; submissive
GAMUT entire range
MORIBUND dying
DOGGEREL poorly written verse
GARRULOUS talkative
MUNDANE worldly; earthly
DOGMATIC dictatorial
GLIB fluent; smooth
20
DOLOROUS mournful
GREGARIOUS sociable
MYRIAD very great number
DOLT stupid person
HALLOW holy, sacred
NARCISSISTIC self-love
DORMANT asleep; temporarily inactive
HAUGHTY pompous, stuck-up
NEBULOUS vague; indistinct
13
HEINOUS hateful; abominable
NEFARIOUS extremely wicked
DOUR gloomy
HUBRUS unconquerable pride
NEOPHYTE beginner; convert
DUCTILE easily molded
HUMANE benevolent, gracious
NIGGARDLY stingy
DULCET pleasing to the ear; melodious
HYSTERIA wild panic with a dose of fear
NURTURE to feed; to bring up
DUPLICITY deception
ICONOCLAST destroyer of images
OBDURATE stubborn
DURESS constraint
IGNOMINIOUS shameful
OBEISANCE show of respect
EBULLIENT enthusiastic
IMMUTABLE unchangeable
OBSCURE not clear
ECLECTIC selecting the best from various
IMPALPABLE vague; not understandable
OBSEQUIOUS overly submissive
sources
17
OBSTREPEROUS noisy; boisterous
ECSTATIC extremely happy
IMPECUNIOUS penniless; poor
OBTUSE stupid
EFFERVESCENT bubbling; vivacious
INDIGENT poor
OBVIATE to prevent
EFFRONTERY impudence
INDOLENT lazy
ODIOUS hateful; disgusting
EGREGIOUS outrageous
INEXORABLE unyielding
21
EMACIATE to make thin
INHERENT inborn
OFFICIOUS meddlesome
EMULATE to try to equal or excel
INIQUITOUS unjust
OMINOUS threatening
ENERVATE to weaken
INNATE inherent
OPPROBRIOUS shameful
ENNUI boredom
INNOCUOUS harmless
OPULENCE wealth
14
INSIDIOUS treacherous
OSTENTATIOUS pretentious
ENSCONCE to place securely; to conceal
INSIPID dull
OSTRACIZE to banish
ENTITY something that exists independently
INTREPID fearless
OVERT not concealed
EQUANIMITY calmness
INTRINSIC essential
PALATABLE tasty
EQUIVOCATE to mislead by using ambiguous
INVEIGLE to entice
PALPABLE obvious
language
INVIDIOUS causing ill will; offensive
PANACEA cure-all
ERUDITE very learned
IRASCIBLE easily angered
PARADOX seemingly absurd statement
ESCHEW to avoid
18
that is nevertheless true
ESOTERIC for a select few
JOCOSE joking; humorous
PARAGON model of excellence
ETHEREAL airy; delicate
JUXTAPOSE to place side by side
PARITY equality
EULOGY praise for a dead person
LACONIC using few words; concise
PARODY humorous imitation
EXPIATE to atone for
LANGUID lacking in spirit or interest
PARSIMONY stinginess
EXTANT in existence
LATENT hidden; dormant
22
EXTOL to praise highly
LETHARGIC sluggish
PECUNIARY monetary; financial
EXTRADITE to surrender a prisoner to
LITHE bending easily; flexible
PEDANT one who possesses mere book
another authority
LITIGATION lawsuit
learning; narrow-minded teacher
EXTRANEOUS not belonging
LOQUACIOUS talkative
PERDITION hell
EXTRICATE to free
LUCID shining; easily understood
PEREMPTORY dictatorial; unconditional
15
LUDICROUS ridiculous
PERENNIAL continual; enduring
FABRICATE to construct; to devise (a
LUGUBRIOUS mournful
PERFIDIOUS treacherous
deception)
MACHIAVELLIAN crafty; cunning
PERFUNCTORY mechanical ; indifferent
FACADE front part of a building; false front
MAGNANIMOUS generous; noble
PERNICIOUS destructive
FACETIOUS humorous; flippant
MALEVOLENT wishing evil; malicious
PERPETUATE to cause to continue
FACILE easy
19
PERSPECTIVE relation of parts to one
FACTITIOUS artificial
MALIGN to slander
another and to the whole
FASTIDIOUS hard to please
MALINGER to pretend sickness
PERT bold; saucy
FATUOUS foolish
MAUDLIN tearfully sentimental
PERUSE to read with thoroughness
FEASIBLE capable of being accomplished;
MAXIM short statement of a general
PERVADE to go or spread throughout
5
PETULANCE impatient irritation
REPRISAL retaliation
stealthy way
PHILISTINE lacking in culture; commonplace
REPROACH blame
SURVEILANCE supervision
23
REPROBATE villain
SUSTENANCE nourishment
PHLEGMATIC sluggish
RESPITE delay
SYCOPHANT flatterer; parasite
PIQUANT stimulating to the taste; exciting
RETICENCE silence
TACIT silent
interest
RETRIBUTION retaliation; revenge
TACITURN almost always silent
PIQUE to irritate
REVILE to abuse; to slander
TANGIBLE capable of being touched;
PITHY terse
RIBALD indecent; vulgar
perceptible
PLACATE to pacify
ROBUST brawny; vigorous
TANTAMOUNT equivalent
PLACID calm
27
TAWNY yellowish-brown
PLAGIARISM claiming another's work as
ROTUND round
TEMERITY foolish boldness
one's own
RUDIMENTARY elementary;
TEMPORAL lasting only for a certain
PLATONIC purely spiritual; not sensual
undeveloped
time; temporary
POIGNANT piercing
SAGACITY wisdom
TENACITY persistence
PORTEND to warn; to foreshadow
SALACIOUS lewd; obscene
TENUOUS slender; flimsy
POSTERITY succeeding generations
SALIENT important; conspicuous
TERSE brief
POTPOURRI mixture
SALUBRIOUS wholesome
TIRADE long, vehement speech
PRAGMATIC practical
SANGUINE optimistic
31
PRATE to talk much and to little purpose
SAPIENT wise
TORRID very hot; scorching
PRECLUDE to shut out
SARDONIC derisive; sneering
TRANSITORY lasting but a short time
24
SATURNINE gloomy; very serious
TRAVESTY ludicrous treatment of a
PREDILECTION preference
SCATHING bitterly severe
serious subject
PREROGATIVE privilege
SCHISM split; discord
TREMULOUS quivering
PRISTINE unspoiled
SCINTILLATE sparkle
TRIBULATION trouble
PROCRASTINATE to delay
SCOFF ridicule
TRUCULENT cruel
PRODIGIOUS extraordinary in size; force, etc.
SCRUTINIZE to examine closely
TRYST meeting
PROFLIGATE shamelessly immoral; extremely
28
TURBID muddy
wasteful
SCURRILOUS abusive; coarse
TURGID swollen
PROFUSE overabundant
SECULAR wordly; nonreligious
UBIQUITOUS occurring everywhere
PROGENY descendants
SEDENTARY inactive
UNCTUOUS oily; excessively suave
PROGNOSTICATE to forecast
SEDITION rebellion
UNMITIGATED not lessened; absolute
PROLETARIAN worker; citizen of lowest class
SEDULOUS industrious
UPBRAID to scold
PROMONTORY peak of high land jutting out
SEETHE to boil; to be disturbed
URBANE refined
over water
SHUNT to turn aside VITUPERATE to
USURY excessive rate of interest
PROPENSITY tendency
scold
32
PROPINQUITY nearness
SKEPTIC one who doubts
VACILLATE to sway to an fro; to show
PROPITIOUS favorable
SLOTHFUL idle; lazy
indecision
PROSAIC commonplace; dull
SOLILOQUY talking when alone
VENIAL excusable
25
SOMBER dark; gloomy
VENERATE to respect greatly
PROSODY study of poetic meters and
SOMNOLENT drowsy; sleepy
VERBOSITY wordiness
versification
SONOROUS loud; resonant
VERITY truth
PROTOTYPE original or model
SORDID vile; dirty
VERNACULAR pertaining to common
PSEUDONYM assumed name to conceal
SPECIOUS misleading
language of a land
identity
SPORADIC infrequent; irregular
VICARIOUS substitute
PSYCHE soul; spirit; mind
SPURIOUS counterfeit; false
VICISSITUDE change; variation
PULCHRITUDE beauty
29
VINDICATE to justify
PUNDIT learned man
STAID sedate; serious
VOCIFEROUS shouting
PUNGENT sharply penetrating
STILTED pompous
VOLATILE evaporating rapidly; flighty
PURLOIN to steal
STOICISM repression of emotion
VOLITION act of determination
PURPORT to give the appearance of
STOLID having little emotion;
VORACIOUS very greedy
QUALM misgiving
impassive
ZEALOT fanatic
QUERULOUS complaining
STRIDENT harsh-sounding
RANCOR hatred
SUBJUGATE to conquer
REBUKE to reprimand; to blame
SUBSERVIENT inferior; humble
RECALCITRANT not obedient
SUCCINCT concise
RECIPROCAL interchangeable
SUCCOR to aid
26
SUCCULENT full of juice
RECONDITE concealed; profound
SUPERCILIOUS haughty; arrogant
RECONNOITER to survey a region
SUPERSEDE to replace
RECTITUDE honesty
SUPPLE flexible
REDOLENT fragrant
30
REMONSTRATE to protest
SURREPTITIOUS acting in a secret,
REMUNERATION compensation
6
WRITING THE DETAILS
Put specific details in your writing. Consider this sentence: The shelter fell over. The sentence communicates
something, but only vaguely. Search for specifics. Consider the same sentence written in a new way. The adobe hut,
caught unexpectedly in a desert twister, rattled mud and dirt through nearby saguaro trees and then tumbled humbly
to the ground.
Directions: Take each of the sentences below that appear vague and unspecific and give them interesting details. Each
of your new sentences should be at least 20 words long.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
The policeman was upset by his actions.
She was very tired.
It was a cold day.
The test she gave was hard.
Jeff did not like the game.
The vacation was over too fast.
Mary led the parade down the street.
That made her mad.
The car came to a stop.
He sang the song.
The jacket was insufficient for the weather.
Refreshments were brought in after the dance.
The citizens would not accept the decision.
The meeting went too long.
Birds flew over the river.
The hunter shot the animal.
The alarm clock woke the camper.
The committee reviewed the situation.
The papers fell to the ground.
He quit the sport.
The musician bought the CD.
He read the newspaper thoroughly.
The book was long and boring.
The cyclist raised his arms when he crossed the line.
The computer accepted the software.
The plane flew through the fog.
Music made her sad.
Pets were his delight.
She went forward without another thought.
The flute sounded from off stage.
The boat sounded its horn and steamed in.
The finish line had been crossed.
They climbed the mountain.
The view was tremendous.
Her voice was clear.
She loaded the water gun and aimed.
Summer at last came.
The man shoveled the snow.
Workers harvested the crop.
7
8