Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #20

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson & Rupert Grint (left to right) at the world premiere of Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 in London, England (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 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: Intelligent

Emotional: Bright

‘Hermione Granger is one of most intelligent students, combining a retentive memory with a thorough understanding of the rules of magic.’

‘Oh, come on, Hermione; you’re a very bright witch!’

Intellectual: Superior To

Emotional: Better Than

‘There is no doubt in the minds of the establishment that children educated in fee-paying schools are superior to those who attend state schools.’

‘You might like to think you’re better than me, mate, but the evidence is that you’re simply more educated in those things that have no real connection to ordinary life.’

Intellectual: Courageous

Emotional: Brave

‘Sir Humphrey considered Jim Hacker’s decision to tell his constituents the truth to be courageous, which translated into “foolish”.’

‘How brave of Emily Parker to fight her cancer in public.’

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Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #16

Green Party of England and Wales (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sorry for the delay, this should have been posted yesterday, but I was otherwise occupied.

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: Beneficial

Emotional: Good For

Voting for the Green Party will be beneficial for your pocket as well as for the planet.

Try on a smile; it’s good for you.

Intellectual: Experiment

Emotional: Test

‘Our experiment in convincing voters that they should continue to support the wealthy and powerful continues to go well. Of course, keeping the silly buggers ignorant and ill-educated has more or less ensured our success in this venture.’

‘Great to see you here. Let me introduce you. This is George, Anna, Fred, who has a crush on all girls, Sarah, Jenny, who’ll do more or less whatever you want, Alf, Georgina, Mary, Peter and Penny; there will be a test later.’

Intellectual: Sufficient

Emotional: Enough

‘We believe there is sufficient evidence to support the majority view that global climate change will become an unstoppable phenomenon unless the political leaders act immediately.’

‘That’s enough! I’m not going to tell you again. If you don’t stop, I’ll smack you!’

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #15

Love Bliss (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: Contact You

Emotional: Write To You

‘We will contact you in writing to confirm the termination of your employment.’

‘I’ll write to you everyday, so you’ll know where I am and what I’m doing whilst we’re apart.’

Intellectual: Famine

Emotional: Hunger

The likelihood of devastating famine in much of Africa during the coming decades is increased by the effects of Global climate change.

‘I feel such hunger for you, for your body, for your touch, for your utter surrender to my desire.’

Intellectual: Ill

Emotional: Sick

‘The man is ill; that much is obvious. I expect we will have to terminate his employment, since we cannot afford to have idle hands on the payroll.’

‘I’m sick with longing for you. My every waking hour is haunted by my want of you.’

Please Note: regular visitors, I'm currently developing a new blog/website with Wordpress, due to its larger spread and versatility. You'll find it here:  In the not too distant future, I shall probably migrate all my posts to the new site. For now, I'm trying to keep the content similar, until I get used to the new site and have settled into my new home (moving just after Xmas).

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Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #14

Distribution of Wealth in Europe in the Year 2000 (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: Construct

Emotional: Build

‘It is our intention to construct the largest and most all-encompassing complex for retail business that we are able to, without having to employ too much in political bribes.’

‘We’re going to build more and more houses on brown field sites, mostly as starter homes.’

Intellectual: Diminutive

Emotional: Small

‘I fear that Lucy is too diminutive to be taken seriously by those who really matter in terms of power.’

‘Lucy’s so small and charming, she’s bound to win their hearts.’

Intellectual: Perhaps

Emotional: Maybe

‘Decreasing the wealth gap is, perhaps, beneficial to society as a whole, but it would render the rich less powerful and must therefore be avoided.’

‘Maybe the best way to bring a bit more equality to society is to look at what would happen if certain jobs weren’t done.’

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #13

English: Foreign secretary William Hague and Chancellor George Osborne look on as U.S. President Barack Obama addresses Parliament on 25 May 2011. (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: Completed

Emotional: Finished

The project was completed within three weeks, to the complete satisfaction of the client.

‘I tell you, John; I’m finished with you: completely finished!’

Intellectual: Facilitate

Emotional: Ease

‘As independent marketers, we facilitate the promotion and sales of your products, but only for a huge share of your profits.’

‘I can ease you into the right position,’ he said, lowering her to the bed.

Intellectual: Humorous, Amusing

Emotional: Funny

‘Your report on the economy was highly amusing, George. But the only responses you’ll receive will be either stark disbelief or downright condemnation.’

‘That, George, was bloody funny. Had me laughing, all the way to the bank.’

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