How to Increase Your Vocabulary to Write More Lively Sentences
The ability to write well is an invaluable skill in today's world. Both technical and artistic in nature, mastering the craft of creative writing requires understanding the rules of grammar along with the ingenuity to weave together words in order to create descriptive phrases. Whether you're a journalist, playwright, author or copywriter, having a solid vocabulary is important. Expanding your vocabulary can help you write more lively sentences and express yourself more eloquently written and verbally.
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Instructions
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Play vocabulary games. This will help you learn and retain new words quickly while having fun. Games such as Scrabble, MadLibs, Hangman and crossword puzzles are popular games that are effective for expanding your vocabulary. You can also find many vocabulary games online. As you're playing, look up the words that you do not know and note their meanings.
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Learn new words and their meanings by reading the dictionary or thesaurus. Start from the letter "A" and work your way to "Z." Commit to learning a set number of words each day. Practice spelling the words and using them in a sentence. If you don't have a lot of time in your day, subscribe to Merriam-Webster's word of the day, which introduces you to one new word daily. Make a point to use your new word in some type of document on the same day you learn the new word.
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Read as much as possible. Books, magazines and academic textbooks provide a wealth of new words. As you're reading, highlight descriptive passages and unique phrases that evoke strong mental images or emotions. Note these as examples of lively writing.
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Memorize new words using vocabulary flash cards. You can purchase vocabulary cards or make your own. To make your own, use index cards and write new words on one side and the definition on the other side.
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Practice writing lively sentences by rewriting basic sentences. Use a thesaurus to replace commonly used adjectives, verbs and nouns with more descriptive ones. Inform your friends of your desire to write livelier sentences so that you can engage in conversational emails with the intent of writing with passion and enthusiasm. Ask for their feedback on your writing as often as possible.
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Tips & Warnings
Improving your writing skills takes practice and time.
Consider taking a creative writing class or getting feedback from a writing coach as you improve your vocabulary.
References
- Photo Credit writing image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
