21 O O ne of the best ways to accurately convey your ideas in your essay is to choose the
right words. Doing so ensures that your audience understands what you are writ-
ing. Also, with the exception of essays on national exams such as the SAT or GED,
spelling counts. In fact, it is critical that your essay be mistake-free. If you are typing your
essay, you can use the spell check feature, but don’t rely on it alone. Knowledge of basic spelling
rules will help you to craft an essay that gives your reader a positive impression. To learn
about these topics, keep reading.
This sounds simple, and for the most part, it is. You already have a command of the Eng-
lish language that includes knowledge of the denotative (literal) meaning of thousands of
words. Therefore, all you need to do is choose the right ones to get your message across.
The first section of this chapter explains some of the pitfalls of word choice, including com-
monly confused and misused words.
However, saying what you mean takes more than just an understanding of the denota- tion, or literal meaning, of a word. Many words also have a connotative meaning. The con- notation is a word’s implied meaning, which involves emotions, cultural assumptions, and
suggestions. Both meanings must be considered when making word choices.
Once you recognize denotative and connotative meaning, you must consider whether
