Français

The Right Word

Overview

“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter - it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

Do you know the difference between a phone that rings continuously and one that rings continually? Should you ask a co-worker to be discrete or discreet about a personal matter? Does the bus go further up the road or farther or does it not matter? Many words in English look or sound alike, yet choosing the wrong one can blur, or even reverse, your intended meaning.

You don’t have to have a big vocabulary of exotic words to write well. In fact, strong writing often uses simple, everyday words. You do have to use the words you know precisely. Recognizing the nuances and connotations as well as basic meanings of words will make you a more flexible and confident writer.

This fast-paced and energetic one-day course will ensure your writing is professional and precise. It will also expand your working vocabulary by enabling you to use more of the words you already know with confidence.

Topics

• Look-alike words with different meanings
• One word or two? (every day vs. everyday, every one vs. everyone)
• Words that change spelling or hyphenation according to how you use them
• Your own troublesome word confusions and how to fix them
• Words that are truly interchangeable and words that don’t exist
• Mythical mistakes
• Using more of the vocabulary you have

Audience

• Anyone who must write accurately and precisely
• Anyone who worries about confusing words
• Anyone who is curious about language

Duration

Cost

• $655 (plus tax)

Featured Instructor

Moira White is a versatile communicator with decades of experience in plain language editing, writing, and teaching.

Moira holds a master’s degree in social policy. She has managed onsite production of reports in Canada and Europe and has travelled across Canada with public consultations writing, editing, and producing reports. Her specialties include synthesizing the work of multiple authors, writing to tight deadlines, and writing executive summaries.

She is an honorary life member and past president of Editors Canada and is a member of PLAIN (Plain Language Association InterNational).

In her spare time, Moira indulges her fascination with fibre and colour by spinning, knitting, and weaving.

Great course, well taught. I enjoyed it!  

Sessions