How can you use word choice to improve the style and tone of a news article?

1 Avoid jargon and clichés

One of the first steps to improve your word choice is to avoid jargon and clichés . Jargon is the technical or specialized language of a specific field or profession, which may not be understood by the general public. Clichés are overused or trite expressions that have lost their original meaning or impact. Both jargon and clichés can make your article sound dull, vague, or confusing. Instead, use clear and precise words that explain your topic in a simple and accessible way. For example, instead of writing "The CEO leveraged synergies to optimize the bottom line", you could write "The CEO combined different resources to increase profits".

3 Vary your sentence structure

A third way to improve your word choice is to vary your sentence structure. Sentence structure is the way you arrange words and phrases to form sentences. Varying your sentence structure can help you create rhythm, flow, and interest in your article. You can vary your sentence structure by using different types of sentences, such as declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. You can also use different lengths of sentences, such as short, medium, and long. For example, instead of writing "The storm caused a lot of damage. Many people lost their homes. They need help.", you could write "After the storm, many people faced the devastation of losing their homes. How can we help them?"

4 Use descriptive adjectives and adverbs

A fourth way to improve your word choice is to use descriptive adjectives and adverbs. Adjectives and adverbs are words that modify nouns and verbs, respectively. They can help you add details, colors, and emotions to your article. However, you should use them sparingly and wisely, as too many or too vague adjectives and adverbs can weaken your article. You should also avoid using redundant or contradictory adjectives and adverbs, such as "very unique" or "slightly huge". For example, instead of writing "The movie was good", you could write "The movie was captivating, hilarious, and poignant".

5 Consider your audience and purpose

A fifth way to improve your word choice is to consider your audience and purpose. Your audience is the group of people who will read your article, and your purpose is the goal or message you want to convey to them. Depending on your audience and purpose, you may need to adjust your word choice to suit their needs, expectations, and preferences. For example, if you are writing a news article for a local newspaper, you may want to use words that are familiar, relevant, and respectful to your community. If you are writing a news article for a national magazine, you may want to use words that are more formal, authoritative, and informative.