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.

Answer: Search article marketing in fr*ee forums. Just be choosy about the forums you search.

Don’t think you can become a member of every forum listed. Forums are communities, and hanging around more than 3 of them makes you bad company. You’re never more than an acquaintance when you hop from one forum to the next. Pick 2 or 3 and hang out the way you would linger at Starbucks. 

When joining a forum, make yourself known. I think forums are a bit like business meetings in the office conference room. Most of the people in the room don’t have a lot to say or when they do, you’d rather they didn’t. Forums have the same limitations. 

After registering and introducing yourself, search the subjects that matter to you (e.g. article marketing).  Scan posts looking for the best answer to your question. Respond to the person making the post, add a comment relevant to the discussion, and leave a compliment for the person who teaches you something new.

In time, you’ll initiate threads and newbies will learn from you.