PERT Writing Study Guide: Word Choice

The final section of our PERT writing study guide covers word choice (also referred to as diction). The words a writer (including you!) chooses impact how the reader will receive the information. Our study guide will best prepare you for word choice questions on the PERT as well as dealing with word choice as a writer beyond the test.

Making the Best Word Choices

Word choice questions assess your ability to select the most appropriate words to convey meaning, tone, and style. The focus is on:

Clarity

  • You’ll need to choose words that make the sentence clear and unambiguous. For example, replacing “The car wouldn’t work” with “The car wouldn’t start” adds clarity of what won’t “work” about the car.

Precision

  • Precision refers to using words that express the exact meaning intended. For example, “The temperature went up” can be made more precise by saying “The temperature increased by 10 degrees.” These questions require you to identify and correct vague or overly general wording.

Tone and Formality

  • You might need to adjust word choice to match the tone or formality of the passage. For example, using “kids” in a formal essay might be inappropriate, and “children” would be a better option. Similarly, “awesome” might need to be replaced with “impressive” in a formal context.

Deep Dive: Toning it Down

Tone refers to the writer’s attitude toward the subject and audience. A tone can be formal or informal and can incite different emotions through urgency, humor, enthusiasm, or skepticism. Tone influences how the audience perceives the message and can impact its effectiveness.

There are a few key elements of writing that influence tone:

Word Choice (Diction):

  • The specific words chosen can set the tone. For instance, using “child” instead of “youth” might evoke a more casual tone, while “juvenile” could introduce a more formal or critical tone.

Sentence Structure:

  • The complexity or simplicity of sentences can also indicate tone. Short, abrupt sentences may convey urgency or tension, while longer, more complex sentences may signal a more thoughtful or reflective tone.

Connotation vs. Denotation:

  • Words have both denotative (literal) and connotative (implied) meanings. For example, the words “house” and “home” have very similar denotations, but the connotation of “home” is much warmer and more personal than “house.” That’s why you may have heard expressions like “turning a house into a home.”

Formality Level:

  • Tone can be formal, informal, colloquial, or conversational, depending on the context and audience. Formal tone often avoids contractions, slang, and first-person pronouns, while informal tone embraces them.

Punctuation and Syntax:

  • The use of punctuation (e.g., exclamation marks for enthusiasm or ellipses for suspense) can also shape tone. Complex syntax might lend to a more scholarly tone, while simple punctuation can make writing more relatable.

Examples of Tone:

  • Skeptical tone: “The data seems to indicate a significant correlation between the variables, but further studies are needed.”
  • Joyful tone: “We were over the moon when we saw the results of our study were statistically significant.”

Deep Dive: For Formality’s Sake

One aspect of tone that comes up frequently is formality. Formality in writing refers to the level of sophistication and adherence to conventional grammar and usage rules. Formal writing is typically used in academic, professional, or official contexts, while informal writing is more suitable for personal communication or casual settings.

As with all tones, a few stylistic elements contribute to overall formality:

Vocabulary

  • Formal writing employs more complex vocabulary and avoids colloquialisms. For instance, saying “assist” instead of “help” and “purchase” instead of “buy” enhances formality.

Sentence Structure

  • In formal writing, longer and more complex sentences are common, with subordinate clauses and varied sentence structures conveying ideas clearly and precisely. Informal writing often applies simpler sentence structures or, in some cases, intentional fragments to convey a conversational tone.

Pronoun Usage

  • Formal writing often avoids first-person pronouns (such as “I” or “we”) and second-person pronouns (such as “you”) to maintain an objective stance. This contrasts with informal writing, where personal pronouns create a casual and interpersonal feel.

Contractions

  • Formal writing typically avoids contractions (e.g. spelling out “do not” rather than using “don’t”) to enhance professionalism and clarity.

Grammar and Mechanics

  • Adhering strictly to grammatical rules and proper punctuation is crucial in formal writing. In informal writing, there may be more leniency regarding grammar and punctuation.

Examples of Formality

  • Formal: “The committee reached a consensus regarding the proposed changes to the policy.”
  • Informal: “The committee agreed with the changes we’ve been hoping to make.”

Key Tip: Choose words that precisely fit the context and avoid redundancy. Pay attention to connotations and nuances of meaning. Practice using specific and concise vocabulary that best conveys the intended meaning.


Word Choice Review Test

Congratulations, you have now completed our free PERT online study guide!