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 #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 #12

English: So many words to keep track of!. (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: At An End

Emotional: Over

‘The tour of the museum is now at an end; we hope you have enjoyed your visit.’

‘It’s over. What else is there to say? We’re finished. Sorry.’

Intellectual: Demise

Emotional: Death

‘It is with great sorrow that I must announce the demise of our esteemed leader. He died in his sleep last night.’

‘God, that metaphor’s been done to death. Find a new one!’

Intellectual: I Regret

Emotional: I’m Sorry

‘I regret to inform you that your luggage has been sent in error to Helsinki. We will endeavour to have it returned to your airport of arrival at Wellington as soon as we are able. Have a nice stay.’

‘I’m sorry, but there’s no more left. You’ve had the lot.’

Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #9

The Earth seen from Apollo 17. (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: Circular

Emotional: Round

Many people think the Earth’s orbit around the Sun is circular, but it is, of course, elliptical.

‘Round as pink grapefruit, they’re crowned with roseate cherries.’

Intellectual: Disclose

Emotional: Explain

Ephraim was instructed to disclose the source of the information he had used to write his exclusive report.

‘You gonna explain where you got that gen, Mandy?’

Intellectual: Pharmaceuticals

Emotional: Medicine

Many pharmaceuticals have undesirable side effects that render the drugs almost as unpleasant as the conditions they are intended to treat.

‘This medicine will make you better. I know it will, as I made it myself from natural substances.’

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