Writing Resources

Academic Style: Word Choice Exercises

This handout is available for download in DOCX format and PDF format.

 

Word Choice: Rewrite the Sentence

Rewrite these sentences according to the principles of word choice and avoiding the common mistakes outlined on the “Word Choice” handout.

  • It is worthwhile to first consider the theories of various fantasists regarding their genre. What seems abundantly clear is correct world-building is imperative to the genre.
  • Imparting an impression of perfection in the reader is a plausible step down from the theoretical perfection a fantasist strives for. This is necessary to keep in mind, then, when considering which techniques are used to deliver upon this striving for perfection.
  • It is now worth concretely considering why Tolkien’s conceptions for his books are so conducive to the execution of their filmic adaptation. To do so, I will begin again with theoretical consideration particularly on the process of adapting a novel to film.

Connotations

All underlined words have the same denotation, but different connotations. Write the different connotations of each underlined word.
  1. The roses climbed the trellis.
  2. The roses adorned the trellis.
  3. The roses strangled the trellis.
  1. She was a compulsive reader.
  2. She was a critical reader.
  3. She was a perceptive reader.
  1. The children were sleepy.
  2. The children were exhausted.
  3. The children were weary.
  1. The reef appeared beneath the surface.
  2. The reef loomed beneath the surface.
  3. The reef glimmered beneath the surface.

Unclear Pronouns

The following sentences have unclear pronoun antecedents. Rewrite them so that the meaning is clear.

1. Lizzy told her mother that her sweater had a hole in it.

2. When Alexander drove the car through the garage door, he badly damaged it.

3. Cathy was surprised she had been voted president by her classmates who never had much self-confidence.

Concision

Rewrite each phrase to be more concise.

  • I came to the realization that
  • She is of the opinion that
  • Concerning the matter of
  • During the course of
  • In the event that
  • In the process of
  • Regardless of the fact that
  • Due to the fact that
  • In all cases
  • At that point in time
  • Prior to

Credit: Adapted from Kalee Hall, University Writing Center