Comments on: Is Your Vocabulary Holding You Back?

By: SOB Business Cafe 01-08-10 | Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

SOB Business Cafe 01-08-10 | Liz Strauss at Successful Blog — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 06:05:28 +0000

[...] Is Your Vocabulary Holding You Back? [...]

By: --Deb

--Deb — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:58:27 +0000

But, Melissa, adjectives are so cool! So keen. So fab. So swell…

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:37:47 +0000

Great writing is definitely a balance between choosing the simplest words and engaging the full breadth of a writer’s vocabulary. And then there’s the problem of latching on to particular (and trendy) words. Have you noticed how “amazing” everything has been the past couple of years? I try avoid overusing adjectives, but certain words definitely become part of our speech and writing patterns.

Guess I went off on a bit of a tangent there. Great post, Deb!
.-= Melissa Donovan´s last blog ..36 Poetry Writing Tips =-.

By: --Deb

--Deb — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:38:43 +0000

Well, it’s true, sledgehammers ARE fun (assuming you can lift them). I tend to think that the most successful writing has a lighter touch, though–something everyone can feel. You know, like goldilocks … not too dense, not too insubstantial, but just right (grin)
.-= –Deb´s last blog ..Is Your Vocabulary Holding You Back? =-.

By: Ave

Ave — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:18:55 +0000

Two blondes are talking: “Did you see that guy on TV?” says one. “Which one?” “The smart one. I didn’t understand most of the things he said!”

Now, seriously. Like Kelvin said before: don’t go too far, or – if you reached the stratospheric heights of the vocabulary – try to climb down a little when you’re addressing to a larger audience you don;t know much about. Especially when speaking on TV.

Unfortunately it is too often that very smart – and cultivated – people consider that their auditorium should rise to their vocabulary, as well as snobs trying to make an impression by using words they;re not familiar with. Including on TV…
.-= Ave´s last blog ..More – and better – photos =-.

By: Meryl K Evans

Meryl K Evans — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:04:56 +0000

It is tricky to navigate the dumbing down waters while not falling into the trap of high-falutin’ words. But I agree with Kelvin! Sledgehammer is a more fun sounding hammer!
.-= Meryl K Evans´s last blog ..Streamlining Your Writing Business =-.

By: Kelvin Kao

Kelvin Kao — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:13:16 +0000

What? But sledgehammers are so much more fun!

Ultimately, words are a tool for communication. The most important goal is to get the point across. Dumbing things down too much also might cause some meanings to be lost, especially when it comes to more complicated ideas that are difficult to describe using simpler words.

I wonder how many authors of those “for dummies” and “idiot’s guide” books make a conscious effort to dumb it down…
.-= Kelvin Kao´s last blog ..Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010 =-.