3. Write down specific words that help the reader understand the
writer's meaning.

General vs. Specific Words

Almost anything can be described either in general words or in specific ones. General words and specific words are not opposites. General words cover a broader spectrum with a single word than specific words. Specific words narrow the scope of your writing by providing more details. For example, “car” is a general term that could be made more specific by writing “Honda Accord.” Specific words are a subset of general words. You can increase the clarity of your writing by choosing specific words over general words. Specific words help your readers understand precisely what you mean in your writing.

Explanation:

Here’s an example of general and specific words in a sentence:

General: She said, “I don’t want you to go.”

Specific: She murmured, “I don’t want you to go.”

The words “said” and “murmured” are similar. They both are a form of verbal communication. However, “murmured” gives the sentence a different feeling from “said.” Thus, as a writer, choosing specific words over general words can add description to and change the mood of your writing.

In academic writing, it is important to find a balance between general and specific words. Always using specific terms can overwhelm the reader and detract from your argument. Also, depending on what you are writing, general terms may be more appropriate than specific words. In scientific, technical, and other specialized fields, writers often need to make general points, describe general circumstances, or provide general guidance for action. For example, if you are writing a paper on best practices in business, you may write one of the following sentences:

In the normal course of procedure, it is advised to avoid modifications in hiring procedures after they have been established.

Normally, it is best to avoid changing hiring processes after they have been established.

Both of these sentences make the same statement, but they may not both be appropriate for your paper. Writing with precision helps hold your audience’s attention. Making statements too wordy in an argument can be dull for your readers. Think of your audience while writing. Sometimes it is best to keep your writing simple and precise. The more precise your writing is, the easier it will be for your reader to understand your argument. Your objective when choosing words is to blend general and specific words together within your writing when appropriate, ensuring you keep your reader’s attention while conveying your message.

quite an interesting way to teach topic sentences, because the answer to this question is the best definition of a topic sentence that one can present, it is as if answering the questions taught you how to do it, this is some real teaching, it is terribly well-done.

the topic sentence in this paragraph is:

topic sentences writers stay on track and keep a paragraph from becoming an aimless collection of sentences about an idea.

which incidentally tells you what a topic sentence should be.

which of the following statements about considering your audience and purpose is false?

you should think about what your audience already knows about your topic.- first choice

32.how is the rhythm in a lyric poem created?

by stressing certain words or syllables- first choice

33. which of the following describes an elegy?

a poem expressing sorrow for someone who has died- third choice

34.how does the audience know that the play is moving on to a new scene?

the scenery, lighting, and props change.-last choice

35. the internet is an electronic communications network that connects computer systems all over the world.- third choice

36. which of the topic sentences below best states the paragraph’s main idea?

there are several ways for students to earn money.- third choice

37.what tone does this passage convey?

satirical- third choice

38.what point is he trying to make by wearing the veil for most of his life?

he means to show that everyone, not just he, has experienced sin and sorrow and should therefore try not to hide it from others or from god.- first choice

39.based on the sentence’s context clues, how do you think the character feels?

excited- third choice

40.what tone does this passage convey?

pessimistic- second choice