this chapter on the pitfalls of attributive verbs and loaded word is really helpful. It's not only beneficial to journalist but to people who write English paper.
base on my personal experience, thinking of attibutive verbs is onerous for me when I 'm writing the first draft. I find it easier to just write "said" for the time being and after finishing the draft, i'd go back to the circled "said" and try to understand the context and find a word that would fit that context.
this chapter will be one of sources I will refer to especially when I have some sort of "brain fart" (attribute goes to Katie L and her expression) for the right words.
on a contemplative/philosophical mood, I'm starting to perceive how words can be abstract. Words are like empty jars and whatever you put in them (their connotation) will be determined according to their purpose...
I also noted-- it would be helpful if Chapter 7 gave us good attributes as well (with explanation of their connotation) even though the emphasis was on the omni-neutral word 'said.'
Posted by Michael Diezmos at October 10, 2005 11:19 PM