1. Sensory Words:
* Sight: "The sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and purple."
* Sound: "The rusty swing creaked back and forth, its chains rattling."
* Smell: "The air was thick with the smell of freshly baked bread."
* Taste: "The tartness of the lemon cut through the richness of the cake."
* Touch: "The rough bark of the old oak tree scratched my hand."
2. Figurative Language:
* Simile: "The moon was like a silver coin in the black velvet sky."
* Metaphor: "Her eyes were pools of sorrow."
* Personification: "The wind whispered secrets through the trees."
* Hyperbole: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."
* Alliteration: "The waves whispered and whooshed, washing over the shore."
* Assonance: "The leaves rustled and whispered, their secrets carried on the breeze."
3. Emotionally Evocative Words:
* Strong verbs: "The storm raged, unleashing its fury on the town."
* Descriptive adjectives: "The lonely, abandoned house stood on the hill, shrouded in shadows."
* Emotional nouns: "His heart ached with longing for her."
* Figurative language (especially metaphors and similes) can evoke emotions.
4. Specific and Concrete Words:
* Avoid vague words like "good" or "bad". Instead, use "delicious," "terrifying," "exquisite," "horrifying."
* Focus on details: "The woman wore a crimson dress with a cascading floral pattern" instead of "The woman was pretty."
* Use sensory language to make your descriptions come alive.
5. Words That Create a Unique Tone and Style:
* Formal vs. informal: Choose language that suits your story's tone (e.g., a historical novel might use more formal language).
* Jargon/slang: Use these carefully, they can add authenticity or make your writing sound dated.
* Literary devices: Consider the impact of repetition, alliteration, and other devices to create a specific rhythm or effect.
Tips for Choosing Words:
* Read widely: Pay attention to how different authors use language.
* Consider your audience: Adjust your vocabulary based on who you're writing for.
* Don't be afraid to experiment: Try out different words and see what works best.
Important Note: It's not about using "fancy" words. It's about using the right words for the right effect.