Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? #Tips on Word Choice #2

English: a fan made portret (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?

I’m setting out here to suggest a few alternatives. In this series I’ll look at the difference between those 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: Accolade  – suggestive of a certificate, honour, etc.

Emotional: Applause – more suggestive of active praise and enthusiasm.

Sir Henry accepted the accolade for his report with quiet enthusiasm and went back to work. (cold, intellectual)

The stand-up comedian embraced the applause like a long lost friend, working the crowd to garner more and more. (active, warm,)

Intellectual: Damage, harm                 

Emotional: Hurt

The damage done to the mechanism was so severe it was beyond repair. (impersonal, factual)

Sandie closed her eyes in pain, the hurt she felt from his betrayal so profound she couldn’t bear to look at him. (sorrowful, moving)

Intellectual: Manufacture                   

Emotional: Make

They set out to manufacture the most profitable goods they could foist on the gullible and ill-educated consumers. (cold, calculated)

I want to make something that has real value to society, something that will do some real good. (inspiring, heartfelt)

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Zemanta User, Interviewed.

If you're unfamiliar with Zemanta, let me explain that it's an add-on available for blogs, websites and emails, that selects relevant associated articles and pictures to enliven your content. I was recently interviewed by the providers. Here's a link to the interview: http://www.zemanta.com/blog/zemanta-power-user-stuart-aken-2/
 And, for evidence of the sort of help it can give, just scan through some of my posts. I use my own photos for some but Zemanta has provided others and many links to articles relevant to my topics and content. Certainly worth investigating if you're a blogger, website owner or send emails that might be enhanced.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Epigraph

Epigraph: noun - superscription of a letter or book; imprint on a title page; an inscription on a tomb, building or statue; a legend on a coin; motto.

‘The grave of Spike Milligan bears an epigraph characteristic of the comic’s humour; “I told you I was ill”.’


Nothing suitable on Zemanta, so a picture from Crete, with absolutely no connection to the word defined.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Didactic

Didactic: adjective - with the character or manner of a teacher, intended to instruct, with instruction as its ulterior purpose.

Noun - didactic author or treatise; the art of teaching.

We all come across and know about didactic literature, even if we don’t necessarily know the term for it. With its academic tone, intended to educate, it carries connotations of heavy-handedness.

‘The novel was so obviously didactic that most readers were immediately put off reading it.’

‘Are you actually trying to bore them, George, or is your didactic prose somehow supposed to attract people to your words? You might have more success if you concentrated less on teaching your readers and more on telling the story.’

Nothing suitable on Zemanta, so here's a picture of an Iris I took in the back garden a week or so ago.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Further or farther?

This is a much misunderstood comparison, since both words can be used in an interchangeable manner. Fashion and usage have brought ‘further’ into greater use for most things. The use of the term ‘further education’ has become so well-known that no one would ever think of writing this as ‘farther education’, though such an expression wouldn’t be incorrect.

There is some debate about whether ‘farther’ should be preferred in those expressions where a measurable distance is concerned. But there is no etymological reason for this distinction and it has now been superseded by usage. It seems likely that ‘farther’ will be one of those words that will eventually vanish due to lack of use.

NOTE from the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary: The forms farther/further displaced farrer, the regular compar. of far. Until recently, farther was preferred in reference to physical distance, further in figurative contexts, but further is now usual in all contexts.

Once again, Zemanta has let me down, so here's another local shot; this is the Humber Bridge, until recently, the longest single span suspension bridge in the world.

Writing: Another 1300 Words Today

A not-so-early rise today, following yesterday's physical exertions. But, after breakfast, managed another 1300 words of the epic fantasy; all moving the story along well, with the main party on the move again and leaving the strange city for a destination feared by some, welcomed by others. Who will be pleased, who disappointed, who placed in danger? That's all to come.

Also updated my writing contest page today, so if you're a writer looking for contest details, go no further than the 'Writing Contests' tab and see if any of the many competitions there is of interest.

Decided to have our usual Sunday walk today instead, since the weather is beautiful; though the wind is quite cold. Went to a local spot called Huggate, situated on the highest part of the Wolds. Only ever passed through here before, even though it's only 8 miles up the road. Parked up and took a 4 mile walk through some lovely countryside.  On our return, I updated my album on Facebook with another 5 pics from today.

You'll have noticed I often accompany my posts with pictures that are in the public domain, when I'm not using my own or those submitted by interviewees. These public pics come courtesy of a widget called Zemanta, which analyses the text of the post and then suggests various articles and pics that might go with it. Can anyone explain what in this post would make Zemanta think that pictures of girls in wet t-shirts or microscopic bikinis could possibly be appropriate? Weird.

Edit,Edit, Edit.

Image via WikipediaTwo more chaps done on book 2. 10 more of book 1 corrected. So, not a bad day.
Posted another author interview and wrote and posted a review for a book by the same author.
Walked to the doc's to pick up prescriptions - timely, as my chronic problem decided to haunt me again this morning. As rest is the only cure, I've not done half the things I intended and will now have to give up for the day and go and relax for the rest of the evening. Still, there's a new dramatisation of Women In Love on the goggle box, so I'll put my feet up and imbibe a drop of the red stuff whilst I see what sort of job they make of this one.

And, why, you ask, the nude? Well, she's the allegorical figure of 'Romance' and came up from the links that Zemanta found from trawling the content of this text. This application seems to have a mind of its own and sometimes makes the most inexplicable links. This one happens to be in the public domain, so is free from copyright. And it's a piece that celebrates rather than exploits female beauty, so it's fine with me. How about you?