Elements of Word Choice

Words can be defined in two ways. The first way is their denotation — this is the definition of the word, such as you might find in the dictionary. The second way a word can be defined is through the connotation — this is the implied meaning of the word.

Some questions the writer might have to ask are:

--What is the absolute meaning of the word they choose — how specific does the word need to be? For example, some words, such as "tank," have different meanings. Let's say the author writes: "She filled up the tank." Does "tank" refer to a gas tank in a personal vehicle, a water tank, or a different type of tank? In this example, the author will need to determine what clarifications are needed to ensure the word makes sense.

--What is the style of the piece the author is writing?

--Who is the audience?

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What is the tone of the piece?

--What level of diction best suits the author's needs?

These are all important elements of word choice that contribute to the passage. Word choice impacts the amount and type of information being given, the mood or tone of a passage, and the details being given. With each word an author chooses, these questions must be taken into account and reassessed at each stage of drafting the text.