Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #10

The Transvaal War: General Sir George Colley at the Battle of Majuba Mountain Just Before He Was Killed. See File:Melton Prior - Illustrated London News - The Transvaal War - General Sir George Colley at the Battle of Majuba Mountain Just Before He Was Killed original.jpg for attached article. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Some words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?

For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.

In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.

Intellectual: Assault

Emotional: Beat Up

The General ordered an assault on the hilltop gun emplacement, even though it was so well defended that the mission was tantamount to suicide.

Even though the gang of extremists beat up their prisoner, he refused to give them the satisfaction of displaying pain or fear.

Intellectual: Combat

Emotional: Fight

‘This combat mission will advance the battle in the east, men, so I want you to give it your all.’

‘I’m not going to fight you, Jack. I’d lose and you’d be no wiser than you are now.’

Intellectual: Youthful

Emotional: Young

‘Many of the troops we send to the front are youthful and lack experience, making them easier to order into hopeless battle.’

‘Make ‘em young and I’ll give you a fighting force with the guts, passion and bravado that only comes from inexperience.’

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Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #8

The Houses of Parliament are situated within the Palace of Westminster, in London. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are words/phrases that can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?

For the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with my interpretation, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.

In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that invoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.

Intellectual: Anticipate

Emotional: Expect

The major political parties all anticipate a landslide in the General Election, as the majority of people never actually give much thought to their choice of candidate but vote on an emotional rather than an intellectual basis.

I expect most voters will do their usual thing and either fail to make their mark or do so on the ignorant say so of some friend or partner.

Intellectual: Concerned

Emotional: Worried

Many parents are concerned about the nature of the world in which their children will have to live.

I’m worried my daughter will inherit a very uncomfortable world because of the selfish attitudes of my own generation.

Intellectual: Futile

Emotional: Hopeless

To oppose the status quo is a futile exercise bound to result in disappointment for the protesters.

No matter how hopeless our cause appears, we must fight for it for as long as we’re able.

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #7

English: The words "Motivation and Emotion" are spelt out in scrabble letters on a scrabble board. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?

For the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect.

In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that invoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.

Intellectual: Astute

Emotional: Smart

The leader of the opposition made the astute point that the party in power was run by fraudsters, millionaires, tax-dodgers and fools.

Georgina was not only beautiful, generous and smart as a whip, she was also green. 

Intellectual: Desire

Emotional: Hope

Members of the Tory party desire that all employees be made to labour for inadequate wages so that they can continue to call them lazy and undeserving.’

Let’s all hope the majority of the electorate will wake up to the reality of the right wing, in spite of the evidence that the contrary is usually the case.

Intellectual: Obstinate

Emotional: Stubborn

The obstinate belief amongst the bulk of voters that politicians actually care about them is difficult to comprehend.

My grandfather was a stubborn man who would argue that black was white if that was what he chose to believe, regardless of fact.

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#BookADayUK; A Reader Event For October. Day 19

For today, in the Books Are My Bag.com promotion of independent bookshops, our idea is, 'Made me cry in public'. I've read hundreds of books that have brought me to tears: I don't mind admitting that I am moved by the written word, when it is well presented and reveals a depth of humanity that illustrates emotion rather than sentiment.

It's difficult to choose just one book to represent the experience of crying whilst reading in public, so I'll go for the most recent I can recall. Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things was full of joy, humour, different cultural references, and, of course, sorrow. It made me cry. So, there you have it.

As writers of fiction, we all hope to expose our readers to the full spectrum of emotion. I've been told by readers that my own work does that. It's always good to know when you've succeeded in your endeavours. So, if you do read, please spend a few moments to review the book afterwards. You'll help the author, by adding to the reviews held, and you'll help fellow readers to make a selection from the many thousands of books published each year.

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Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #6

La maja desnuda (circa 1797–1800), known in English as The Naked (or Nude) Maja by Francisco de Goya (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?

For the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect.

In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that invoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.

Intellectual: Anecdote

Emotional: Joke/Story

At the company’s annual dinner, Gordon was full of anecdotes that were intended to keep the audience laughing but which, unfortunately, sent many of the to sleep in their soup. (formal)

Frank had a joke or a story for every situation and kept everyone in stitches with his delivery. (informal)

Intellectual: Difficult

Emotional: Tough

We are navigating difficult waters in these times of economic uncertainty and must remain alert for unseen hazards and barriers. (intellectual and formal)

It’s been a tough few weeks, but we’ve got through it and now we can start to improve again. (emotional, informal)

Intellectual: Nude

Emotional: Naked

There’s a theory that maintains that ‘nude’ is a voluntary state, whereas ‘naked’ is an imposed one. That may be true under certain circumstances, but I don’t believe it to be universally the case. These are terms that can frequently be interchanged, in fact. However, I’ll try to give examples of the way they can be used differently.

Daphne worked as a life model and spent much of her time nude in front of groups of art students and evening class attendees. (intellectual, formal)

Daphne slowly removed each item of clothing until she was entirely naked, at which point, she stepped out of the trees, ran across the beach and plunged into the sea. (emotional, informal)