写作,措辞.pptVIP

 Chapter One  Diction --- Choice and Use of Words 1.1 Abstract Words vs. Concrete words;  General Words vs. Specific Words 1. Abstract words and concrete words Concrete words identify persons and things that can be perceived by the five senses --- seen, heard, tasted, felt, smelled. E.g table, boy, tree Abstract words denote qualities, concepts, relationships, acts, conditions, ideas. They have no physical referent. E.g. freedom, democracy, love, success, responsibility; -ism words as communism, realism, romanticism, socialism, racism, capitalism Generally, abstract words will change meaning with time and circumstances. Concrete words stay the same. Abstract words are essential in making analysis, classification, inference and conclusion. Concrete words are useful in giving details. 2. General words and specific words Concrete words and abstracts words are opposite, but general and specific words are not opposite. They form a relationship of meaning inclusion. General words refer to groups, categories. Specific words refer to individuals in a group. They are also a matter of relativity. E.g. General word: livestock Specific words: horse, ox, pig, sheep,cock, duck General word: flower Specific words: rose, tulip, violet, Jasmine Practice: Rearrange the following group of three words from the most general to the most specific. 1) chemist professional biochemist 2) rocking chair Furniture chair 3) Cucumber food vegetable 4) to look happy to beam to smile 5) to stroll to move to walk 3. Generalization: Writing that contains too many abstractions