Has your writing been called bland or boring? Are you looking to not only spice up your writing but your vocabulary as well? Writing can be difficult if you're trying to make it a focal point of your life; there is an attention to detail that writers should have when creating their own piece. Writing can also be easy, simple and most of all: fun. Whether you're looking to improve your vocabulary or need a few tricks to get around that writer's block, I shall be posting weekly tips and tricks to help you improve your skill. This time, I am going to reveal some of my favorite words that I utilize any time I need to better my writing.
Beguile:
Verb
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Two syllables
Definition: To lead someone by way of deception or trickery.
Now this word is one of my favorites, especially for creative writing. It is a concrete word (meaning it shows imagery rather than simply telling it) while giving off an eerie sound. To beguile someone is to deceive them, lead them astray from their current belief. It is what the villain tends to do in most plots. I enjoy this word truly from a poetic sense; it is a two syllable word that implies a much greater meaning. It is a wonderful way to compact your details and brighten (or in this case darken) your story into taking a better form.
Examples:
- "She was cunning enough to beguile her classmates into doing the work for her."
- "They were beguiled into thinking they'd heard the whole story."
Serpentine:
Adjective
Three syllables
Definition: having many bends or turns.
Definition 2: of or resembling a serpent.
This is another word that creates a sense of compaction in your writing. For example, if you're writing about a long river that weaves through the land taking many bends and turns; the better way is to call it the serpentine river (etc..). This word also has some negative or creepy connotations due to the serpent aspect of its root. Whenever writing, it is important to pack as many details in as clear of a way as possible. This is one word that can help do that.
Example:
"The country inn lies at the end of a rather serpentine road, but it's worth the trip"
Thereby:
Adverb
Two syllables
Definition: by means of that act, those words, that document, etc.
This word is more meant for prose writing rather than poetic writing. This being that it is designed to help create a sense of flow in your piece. By adding the word into your work, especially when making an argument, it continues that thought thereby allowing the reader to focus on what you're trying to convey rather than a sentence break. This word is also known as a transitional word because of its ability to create flow so the writing doesn't sound choppy. This isn't the only transitional word and it shouldn't be used in every sentence. However, sprinkling it around will definitely be a more effective use of it.
Somber:
Adjective
Two syllables
Definition: very sad or serious
Definition 2: having a dull or dark color
This word is another one that creates a sense of mood. To be somber is to be like the color gray; something gloomy or not pleasant. A rainy Monday morning could be a somber morning. It's a word that sort of sucks all of the happiness from the sentence similar to a sucker punch of the mind. It isn't an expected word and can be pretty powerful in practice, especially when talking about a serious subject. I like to use it in my poetry to help "color" a certain section, or give contrast to the piece in order to highlight something much brighter.
Examples:
- "Her death put us in a somber mood."
- "The movie is a somber portrait of life on the streets."
- "He wore a somber suit."
Juxtapose:
Verb
Three syllables
Definition: to place (different things) together in order to create an interesting effect or to show how they are the same or different
I enjoy this word because it is fun to say and it is a nice word to know. In practical terms, we as humans juxtapose things all of the time. Whenever we tell a story, we compare one thing to another in order to give context to that first thing described. To juxtapose is a much fancier way, a 50-cent word, of saying to compare. I find this word to be very useful if I'm writing an opinionated piece or something that I've researched.
Example:
1. "a display that juxtaposes modern art with classical art"
Exemplify:
Verb
Four syllables
Definition: to be a very good example of (something) : to show (something) very clearly
This is one of my all time favorite words to use because all it means is to explain something or give an example of something. The word exemplify exemplifies a much more sophisticated way of thinking or talking about a given topic or subject to which it is the best example of. Did you get it? Well the simple version that I was taught was to sprinkle it around a research piece or opinionated piece that you can back up with information. That way it sounds like you know what you're talking about.
Examples:
- "His works exemplify the taste of the period."
- "The city's economic growth is exemplified by the many new buildings that are currently under construction."
All of these examples and definitions can be found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It is an easy to use dictionary that many writers of the industry swear by. It is definitely worth checking out; besides, they have a word of the day. How neat is that?
