Memoir Writing - Why Use Precise Language?

p>Many memoir writers are under the impressionGo over your text. Look at individual words. Does
that you need to have an extensive vocabularyeach of your words carry full weight or do you
to write. An extensive vocabulary can only helphave flabby words like nice and awful. If you do,
you--if by "extensive" you mean many precisereplace them with specific (not necessarily big)
words, not just big ones.words and phrases that contribute precisely to
Precise words are specific and not vague andyour meaning.
ineffective like nice, awful, big, OK. "She was nice"When writers make use of vague or flabby
is vague. "She understands different points ofwords and phrases, they have not taken the time
view" is specific.to explore the depth and breadth of what they
"He was awfully big" is vague. You might writeare writing about. Like cliches and stereotypes,
instead: "My father measured six foot five andflabby words and phrases are lazy forms of
weighed 275 pounds."writing. They communicate very little--when you
Don't write: "The job was OK." Write: "The jobneed so very much to communicate all you have
was in my field of competence, but its salary waslived!
inadequate and its requirements did not challengeRemember: replace all flabby words or phrases
me."with others that convey precise and full meaning.
In each of these examples, I have added meaningYou will not be there to notice the confusion
where I replaced vague words with preciseappear on your reader's face as she struggles to
language, but I did not use big words. "She wasunderstand your text. You will not be there to
nice" does not qualify how she was nice or what Isay, "What I really mean is..."
understand nice to mean as opposed to what theMake each word work for you!
reader might understand nice to mean.Good luck writing!