Words define and distinguish. Without words our world becomes amorphous and irrelevant. An amorphous and irrelevant world is self-absorbed.

When my son uses an inappropriate expletive I tell him, “Always remember, words define your world.” As a 9th grader, his teachers reveal words to broaden his perspective. He and his friends string phrases that limit, demean, and debase.

Learning new words takes discipline, a love for words, and a balanced wisdom about how to use vocabulary. Adding words to your bag of writing tricks requires all three.

My children use 3X5 cards when learning new words. My daughter walks around the kitchen saying the word aloud. Sometimes, she uses rhythmic patterns or songs to remember words. Silly mnemonics help too (the more bizarre the better).

Students have to be disciplined about learning new words because their teachers quiz and test. Adults must become self-motivated. The range of your vocabulary could determine the height of your success and the level of your income.

When you discover an unknown vocabulary word, write the word in your notebook. If you happen upon an unknown word in a blog, add the word to your Zotero word list. (Zotero captures Internet research, ideas, and resources on-the-spot.)

Write a new word in an original sentence. When you insert that new word into conversation, you may feel awkward at first. Keep augmenting your vocabulary list and you’ll enhance your confidence.

Write the word ten times in a sentence, and say the word aloud (make sure you pronounce the word correctly). Almost every dictionary has an audible so that you may hear the word. Don’t just listen; say the word  aloud. 

Make new words a daily habit. Register your email address for a word-for-the-day. You’ll receive new words daily. Some are too abstract; others will add dimension, professionalism, and the perception that you’re smart.

Here are two word-for-the-day email lists for you:

Webster’s Dictionary Word of the Day

Dictionary.com Word of the Day

Every writer has a trusted dictionary, thesaurus, and etymology resource at their finger tips. The reader and the writer must come to agreement on how a word is used. Once they agree, communication begins because words become terms. Authors confuse readers when their word usage is ambiguous.

Mortimer Adler warns writer and reader about the ambiguity of dictionary definitions. “The dictionary is full of words. They are almost all ambiguous in the sense that they have many meanings. But a word that has several meanings can be used in one sense at at time. When writer and reader somehow manage for a time to use a given word with one and only one meaning, then, during that time of unambiguous usage, they have come to terms.” (Mortimer Adler & Charles Van Doren, How To Read A Book)

Free Dictionary may be the best Internet dictionary.

“Use it or lose it” is the motto for vocabulary. Look for chances to say or write your new word of the day until that word is archived in your brain. When you need a right word, your internal library will load in your dialog.

Three days ago, The Associated Press published Merriam Webster’s “bailout” as the word of the year.
The Associated Press website lists the word of the year since 2003.

Loving words suggests you are curious. Etymologists (folks who study the root meaning of words) love digging down to the root usage of words. They ask, “What did this word mean in the original context?” Reading Shakespeare, and studying Latin and Greek roots helps. Loving words keeps writers from sounding like each other.

Knowing when to be erudite and when to be mundane involves some wisdom. Academic journals are replete with self conscious words to impress colleagues. The rest of us read academic pontification wondering why they just can’t say what they mean with words we all understand.

Jargon is the language of a specific group. When writing about information technology, technobabble wins and impresses. Sit around a gaggle of theologians or seminary students, and you’ll think God only speaks in ecclesiastical terms (listening to theologians could destroy your prayer life and faith).

William Zinsser, On Writing Well, explains how words bail you out.  He writes, ”You’ll never make your mark as a writer unless you develop a respect for words and a curiosity about their shades of meaning that is almost obsessive. The English language is rich in strong and supple words. Take the time to root around and find the ones you want.”

The Merriam Webster choice for the word of the year is “bailout”. And you thought that had something to do with your dinghy filled with sea water.

Writing doesn’t take too much courage. Heck, you can post a lot of drivel on the Internet. No one may read a word, but you get to express yourself.

Billions of words appear daily on the Internet. Some words inspire change and major paradigm shifts. Some face the wrath and doom of Alexa and Google.

Lots of palaverous politicing has been expressed lately. Some of those “rhetorical flourishes” are worth hearing.

Clearly, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign inspired a pivotal transformation in U.S. politics. History will educate us about the impact of this political metamorphosis on Pennsylvania Avenue brings to the Main Streets of America.

Imagine the courage or chutzpah Barack Obama garnered when choosing to become the president of the United States. Dissuasion would come from every quadrant of his life. Nothing thwarted his intention; failure was not an option. But most importantly, he was not afraid to fail, nor were any of the other many candidates.

Here are a few observations about our president-elect analogous to writing.

1. He’s cool.

He does not seem to hide. He appears “comfortable in his skin”, and he’s not afraid to declare what matters to him. I’m not naive; politicians express themselves to achieve a purpose, but after two years, we’ve become accustomed to his face. What this may indicate is a man who knows where he’s going.

Writers must possess the same clarity. Where are you going with this article? What is the point? What difference will it make? These themes resonated in Barack Obama’s presidential campaign strategy. He knew where he was going.

2. He’s intelligent.

Dr. Seuss wrote intelligent books too. One of my favorites is “One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. This one has a little star, this one has a little car.” Dr. Seuss makes the difficult simple, colorful, and lively.

Not many attend Columbia or Harvard Law School. Mr. Obama considers this a privilege that his mom and grandmother both encouraged and pushed him toward. As you may remember, his mother awakened Barack at 4:30 in the morning to tutor him. That’s commitment for both of them.  

3. He’s willing to sell himself to us.

The crowds around Barack Obama made other candidate events look like high school reunions. Voters crowded themselves to hear his message. He’s not a god, but he certainly created enthusiasm. I think he’s  affective because he believes in himself, and he’s the product.

Look at all the better blog writers, Internet article writers, or copywriters. Each has similar approaches to get results, but each distinguishes themselves with the unique personality of their message. They know themselves, and they parade their strengths. Writers should do likewise.

William Zinsser writes, “Ultimately the product that any writer has to sell is not the subject being written about, but who he or she is. I often find myself reading with interest about a topic I never thought would interest me….What holds me is the enthusiasm of the writer for his field….This is the personal transaction…. Out of it come two of the most important qualities…humanity and warmth.”
(On Writing Well, William Zinsser, 2001, p5)

Learning to write with human warmth, caring, and kindness are the most basic and essential rudiments to good writing.