How to Write Great Essays

denota-
tion
, or literal meaning, of a word. Many words also have a connotative meaning. The 
con-
notation
is a word’s implied meaning, which involves emotions, cultural assumptions, and
suggestions. Both meanings must be considered when making word choices.
Once you recognize denotative and connotative meaning, you must consider whether
C H A P T E R
Word Choice
3
3
Word Choice
CHAPTER 3 
HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS

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HOW TO WRITE GREAT ESSAYS
CHAPTER 3
Word Choice
22
the words you choose might confuse or possibly offend your audience. That means being
aware of inclusive language, and avoiding slang, clichés, and buzzwords. Your essay is an
important opportunity to get a positive message across. Don’t miss it by inadvertently insult-
ing, confusing, or annoying your reader.
D
E N O T AT I O N
The words in this section are frequently used incorrectly. The confusion may stem from words
that sound or look similar (but have very different meanings), words and usages that sound
correct (but in fact are not considered standard English), or words that are misused so often
that their wrong usage is thought to be correct. When you are unsure of the denotation, or
dictionary meaning, of a word, you are more likely to make these kinds of mistakes. As you
read this section, make a note of any words you think you have used incorrectly. Read the
definitions carefully, and be certain that you understand proper usage before moving on.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
When you use the wrong words, your writing suffers. One incorrect choice—using 
illicit
when you mean 
elicit
, for example—can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Because
there are many English words that sound or look almost identical, but have very different
meanings, choosing the right one can be difficult. You must understand the correct mean-
ing of the words you use in order to avoid “mistaken identity.”
The following list of the most commonly confused words can improve your writing by
showing you how to avoid such errors. As you read it, take note of those you have used incor-
rectly. You may want to write them down, along with a couple of sentences in which you
use them correctly. In your essay writing, pay careful attention to the denotative meaning
of every word you use.