The point is to find the perfect word. Where you find it doesn't matter.
A writer who has a wide vocabulary usually has an advantage. But sometimes the person who wonders if there's a better way to say something and who goes to a thesaurus (and then to a dictionary) comes out ahead because there IS a better word.
The best word is not always the more erudite word. (No, I won't define it. Look it up. :-) ) It may very well be the shortest and most common word. The most common and shortest words are often the most raw and therefore often carry the most punch.
This is one of the topics I cover in Get Your Writing Fighting Fit. In included it because knowing how words are constructed and what makes for a good word in a specific spot is one of the marks of a good writer.
Jul 20, 2010
I disagree. by: Allie
Ah, no.
This is what is commonly known as thesaurus rape. Some people will be fooled, but if you're just trying to sound smarter by using big words, you'll look silly.
Big words don't make a writer. A writer is a person who has a story to tell. A good writer is somebody who practices doing it.
May 14, 2009
I would un-reccomend this idea... by: Anonymous
Using a thesaurus to find a word or alternative is a great idea...
To use it to "impress" readers just makes for bad writing, in my opinion.
Why say John was inebriated when he's just plain drunk?
Making prose readable, giving it punch, using hte right word at the right time - get my vote
Piling on jargon and words for their own sakes, don't
