Vocabulary 8.3

Question 1

Inappropriate vocabulary

Answer 1

• informal language in a formal document (or vice versa)

• language that is un helpfully weak or vague

• regional vocabulary that does not match the overall dialect of the document

Question 2

Editing technical language

Answer 2

If it is too simplistic for technical writing or if it’s too technical for the general public

Question 3

Weak language

Answer 3

Terms that are too vague to offer useful information.

Ex/ nice

What makes it nice? Be more specific

• academic writing it is not appropriate to edit this kind of thing.

Question 4

Regional vocabulary

Answer 4

Make sure to look up any unfamiliar terms you encounter.

Question 5

Gendered language/male pronoun use

Answer 5

Gender-inclusive language is usually preferred in modern writing.

Solutions:

• using the phrase he or she/she or he

• alternating he and she

• using they as a third-person, singular pronoun

• other gender neutral pronouns (e.g., one, you) can sound old-fashioned or informal

• rephrasing the sentence to avoid using a gendered pronoun

*consider audience, style guide, client’s preference.

Question 6

Masculine terminology

Answer 6

Some are outdated

Ex/
Policeman / police officer
Fireman / firefighter

*if it’s excessive might leave a comment

Question 7

Other bias language

Answer 7

Nationality, disability, mental health, race, age

• when leaving a comment suggesting a change be careful
  Ex/
  The use of schizo for unreasonable behavior.

“Unreasonable is a more neutral term than schizo because the latter could be seen as insensitive”

Question 8

Word variation

Answer 8

Reposition can detract from the fluency of the writing making it difficult to read.

It can also add clarity or rhetorical effect.

*watch for overuse of but, because, says, also

Question 9

Alternatives to but

Answer 9

yet, although, though, despite, whereas, still, however, in contrast, nevertheless, conversely

Question 10

Alternatives to because

Answer 10

As, since, for, due to, as a result of, owing to

Question 11

Alternatives to says

Answer 11

States, notes, suggests, claims, mentions, argues

Question 12

Alternatives to also

Answer 12

Moreover, furthermore, I’m addition, too, as well, additionally

Question 13

Elegant variation

Answer 13

Is an ironic term for varying words excessively making it difficult to follow.

Suggest to use a maximum of two synonyms

Question 14

Immoderate erudition

Answer 14

I.e., Excessive complexity

Can detract from the readability of the text and need to be corrected. Unless the author wanted to be deliberately obscure.