Cooperative Online Writing Lab

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Cooperative Online Writing Lab
Word Choice Appropriate Language
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Stay away from jargon.

• What is jargon? Jargon is a specialized language
  used among members of a trade, profession, or
  group.
• Examples of jargon and their alternate words are
  in parenthesis commence (begin), components
  (parts), endeavor (try), exit (leave), facilitate
  (help), factor (cause), indicator (sign), optimal
  best (best), parameters (boundaries, limits),
  prior to (before), utilize (use), viable
  (workable).

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Avoid showy language.

• Showy
• Pre-owned automobile
• Economically deprived
• Strategic withdrawal
• Chemical dependency
• Downsize
• Correctional facility

• Plain English
• Used car
• Poor
• Retreat or defeat
• Drug addiction
• Lay off
• Prison

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Avoid obsolete, archaic, and invented words.

• Obsolete words are out-dated words.
• Archaic words are old words that are still used,
  but only in special contexts such as literature
  or advertising.
• Although dictionaries may list obsolete or
  archaic words, they still are not appropriate for
  current use.

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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In most contexts, avoid slang, regional
expressions, and nonstandard English.

• A few words that are considered slang
• Cool
• Neat
• Wicked
• Awesome

• Examples of regional expressions and their
  corrections in white
• Cut on the lights
• Turn on the lights
• Going down the tubes
• Waste
• Gross you out
• Disgust you

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Avoid sexist language.

• Inappropriate
• Chairman
• Congressman
• Fireman
• Mankind
• Salesman
• Weatherman

• Appropriate
• Chairperson
• Representative, legislator
• Firefighter
• People, humans
• Salesperson
• Weather forecaster, meteorologist

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Its your turn.Correct each sentence.
In Nicaragua, the most economically deprived
neighborhood actually lived in the dump.
In Nicaragua, the poorest neighborhood lived in
the dump.
The meeting commenced as the leader cut the
lights on and off.
The meeting began as the leader turned the lights
on and off.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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More Practice
The boxing match betwixt Brian and John was
competitive.
Police officers and firefighters are heroes.
The boxing match between Brian and John was
competitive.
Policemen and firemen are heroes.
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Choose an appropriate level of formality.

• Click mouse to receive tips.

• Consider both your subject and your audience.
• For most college and professional writing, some
  degree of formality is appropriate.
• Informal writing is for private letters, e-mail,
  articles in popular magazines, and business
  correspondence between close associates.
• Contractions (dont, Ill) and colloquial words
  (kids, buddy) are considered informal.

Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Choose if the samples are formal or informal.
Find clues that tell you this.
Audience
Dear Grandma,
Slang
s
INFORMAL
The weather has been awesome. I cant
believe its spring. My classes are getting
pretty tough. Exams are in two weeks.
s
Simple sentences
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Another Sample
Audience
Mr. Phillips I must address the topic
discussed in our last meeting. The information I
gathered was relevant at the time however, the
data has changed since a new research report was
released. The company cannot rely on old
reports. I will gather updated information
immediately.
FORMAL
Complex sentence
Two words
Two words
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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You now know what is appropriate when writing!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005
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Need More Assistance?

• Stop by the Writing Center

Come back to COWL again and again!
or
We Mooove fast to help you!
Bluefield College COWL, 2005