inaccurate word choice

Formal Voice: Full Article

Table of Contents

1.        Formal Writing Voice

2.       Do not use first-person pronouns

3.       Avoid addressing readers as "you."

4.       Avoid the use of contractions

5.       Avoid Colloquialism and Slang

6.       Inaccurate Word Choice: Non-Standard

7.       Avoid abbreviated words

8.      AVOID overuse of short and simple sentences

9.       Final Comments

6. Avoid nonstandard diction.

Nonstandard diction refers to expressions that are not considered legitimate words according to the rules of Standard English usage.

Nonstandard diction includes "ain't," "theirselves," "hisself," "anyways," "alot" (the accepted version is "a lot"), and "alright" (the accepted version is "all right").

Most good dictionaries will identify such expressions with the word "Nonstandard."

Because nonstandard expressions generally are not regarded as legitimate words, I mark these expressions in essays as examples of "inaccurate word choice."

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