Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-05-18
YOUR USE OF WORDS
By H. Addington Bruce

S your Vocabulary extensive or narrow
ly limited? Whether extensive or linn
tied, have you a clear understanding
of the words you used? And are you
careful to use them with due regard to their
precise meaning?
| These are not academic questions. They
are questions of practical significance to you.
Men and women who use words carelessly
are at a disadvantage both IN business and
social intercourse. Their lack of word power
handicaps them seriously in several ways.
This chiefly because it prevents them
| from communicating their thoughts effec-
| lively to other people. AS a consequence,
no matter how able they may be, they are
sure to be underesitmated by others.
| And, indeed, their carelessness in speak
! ing is likely to have a damaging effect on
their ability itself. AS one language au-
thority rightly warns:
"Realize, the PRIME Importance to you
| for it's effect on your mental Development
of an accurate knowledge of the meaning
and of words and of the possession of a
| large vocabulary.
Words are necessary aids for consider
ing and solving mental problems, and the
more right words you have to call things by
| the more competent you are to consider
those things. Word-building is inseparably
connected with thought building"
| If, on reflection, you feel you must admit
that your vocabulary might we'll be larger
| than it is and that your mastery of even
your present vocabulary is otfwbat it ought
| to be, for your own good make a systematic
! effort to grow in word power. AS a first
means to this end buy dictionary and a
| good book of synonyms.
Do you know what the word synonym
means? If not look it up in the dictionary.
Make it a point to look up in the diction-
airy every word of uncertain meaning to you.
And consult the book of synonyms whenever
in doubt as to the usage of particular word
to express the meaning you have in mind.
For example, "abate," "lessen,' "dimin-
ish,'' decrease" may now be used by you
as identically applicable. Your books o.
synonyms will give you the discriminating
grasp you should possess by their usage.
To enlarge and refine your vocabulary no
less than for general cultural development
you will also find it helpful to devote al
| least half an hour daily to the reading of
some master of style-such as Hawthorne,
Stevenson, Ruskin, Emerson, Goodwin Smith,
f. w. II. Myers. Read these slowly, thought
| fully, and for inspiration as well as instruc-
| ton.
At times, too read them aloud Reading
aloud has a peculiar virtue in the way OF
developing a keen word-sense and facility OF
expression.
| And, fully as helpful to you as anything
| suggested above, make it frequent practice
TO set down in writing your own thoughts.
With the dictionary's aid study and re-
wise what you have written, in order to Sc
cure greater clarity and ease in presenting
your ideas. Emphatically 1 agree with the
assertion:
''Frequent use Of the pen in original COM
position is one of the most practical means
of developing vocabulary, diction and STYLE
Finally, keep as much as possible in the
company Of those who speak well. Like
| breeds like and their influence will uncon-
sciously strengthen in you both the wish and
the power to be yourself a good user OF
words.
Copyright, 1920, by The Associated News
papers