Introduction:
An Introduction to Analyzing Word Choice
Written works can have a long-lasting impact, so writers must work rigorously to select the most effective words. Audiences perceive word choice as a deliberate act, so the revision process must involve a quality check of word choices.

Tone | When a student talks to an instructor he may speak in a more formal tone than he would when discussing the same topic with friends. Writers must use the same awareness of audience when crafting the tone of written works.PresentationEvery written text begins with the notion of "idea." You as a writer seek to advance, support, or illustrate your idea or purpose in ways that can be understood and appreciated by your audience. How do you do this? One requirement is to seriously consider your choice of words and your selection of rhetorical mode.Choosing the Right WordsWords have power. They can calm the soul or incite riots, depending on the skill with which they are used. You as a writer use words as your main tool for communicating your ideas to your audience. Your choice of words, ultimately, determines whether or not your audience understands your intentions. Given the significance of word choice, let's briefly examine what issues are important in terms of word selection. The three primary criteria for word selection are (1) using denotation and connotation to illustrate your point, (2) choosing the appropriate degree of formality, and (3) using specificity and abstraction in meaningful ways.An Introduction to Analyzing Word ChoiceEvery written text begins with an idea that needs to be expressed and communicated in ways that restrict the interpretations of readers. You, as a writer, want your readers' perspective to match, as closely as possible, your intended purpose. Your main tool for achieving your goal is the words you use