Choice of words/Diction ChoiceofwordsUsesuitablewordsGeneralwordsandspecificwordsAbstractwordsandconcretewordsLevelofwordsUsesuitablewordslEg. The skinny woman slinked in. 瘦的皮包骨头的女人溜了进来。 lThe slender woman glided in. 一位苗条的淑女飘然而至。lThey should adopt a more _approach and investigate alternative uses for their property.lDesigning silicon chips to mimic human organs sounds _. (fanciful, imaginative)lMalcolm is a _ and realistic businessman.lThe _criminal is difficult to track down. (cunning , shrewd) lThey have plenty of money now, but they still tend to be_.lShes too _ to make a donation. (thrifty, mean) lThe committee expressed thanks to everyone for their _donations. lWould it would be too _to buy both? (extravagant, generous)lThe Prime Minister appeared relaxed and _of winning an overall majority. lIts _of you to assume youll win every time. (confident, arrogant)lChildren are _about the origin of mankind/the structure of atoms.lIve always found her unbearably_. (curious, inquisitive, nosey)lAll these considerations made him even more _to lead the world toward arms reduction. lThe conservatives show _resistance to reform. (determined, stubborn)TheMeaningofWordslThe meaning of a word has two aspects: denotative and connotative. lA words denotation is what it literally means, as defined by the dictionary; its connotation is the feeling or idea suggested/implied by it.ThreeaspectsofconnotationNegative neutral positiveDisapproving approvingDerogatory Unfavorable favorable Note:1) When using a word, you first need to be sure about a words denotation, otherwise mistakes will be unavoidable in your spoken or written communication. Eg. College English speech contest prize promulgation ceremony2） greater concern should be showed for connotations of a word. One word may have several connotations.The same thing may have different connotative meanings in different cultural contexts. Eg. the color word yellow may stimulate us Chinese and an English native speaker to think of different things.WordswiththesamedetonationbutdifferentconnotationsComplimentaryDerogatoryNeutralpublic servantbureaucratgovernment employeefinancierspeculatorinvestorlaw officercoppolicemanlegal consultantlobbyistspokesmanlabor leaderunion bossunion officialcaptain of industrytycoonsuccessful businessmaninvestigatorspydetectivecaptivejailbirdprisonerTheMeaningofWords(1-1)l country, nation, state, landl country - refers to an area of land and its population and governmentl nation - the people of a countryl state - the government or political organization of a countryl land - more literary and emotive country TheMeaningofWords(1)l an island country; neighbouring countrieslIn area China is the third largest country in the world.l a peace-loving nation; the awakening nations of AfricaTheMeaningofWords(2)lThe modernization programme has won the support of the whole nation.l state organs; state-owned enterpriseslChina is my native land.TheMeaningofWords(2)l big, large, hugel big - a common wordl large - slightly more formal and may be used to describe things that are unusually big, so it is more emphatic than bigl huge - more literary than these two words, means extremely large and is more emphatic than largeTheMeaningofWords(3)l a big / large city; a big / large houselWuhan is a very large city in Central China.lThe team has got a huge man over two metres tall.TheMeaningofWords(3)l small, littlel l interchangeable, different in emotional coloring between theml small - objectivel little - a feeling of fondnessTheMeaningofWords(3)lThey lived in a small town.lI can never forget the little town where I spent my happy childhood.TheMeaningofWords(4)l modest, humble l both a lack of pride, different in tonel modest - a virtue, laudatoryl humble - not a virtue; often connotes undue self-depreciation; derogatoryTheMeaningofWords(4)lModest and hardworking, he made very quick progress at school.lClearly Gompers was overawed by Wilson. His face took on a servile look;his voice was humble.Ex_Diction(1)lIn each sentences, choose the more precise of the two in italics, and explain your reasons.l1. A few listeners were disinterested / uninterested and dozed off.l2. Though she has grown up, her behavior is often childlike / childish. Ex_Diction(2)l3.I am quite jealous / envious of your opportunity to study at such a famous university.l4.Her clothes, though made of cheap / inexpensive material, are quite elegant.l5.I am sorry to refuse / decline your invitation.Ex_Diction(3)l6. He was surprised / shocked/stunned to find that little sister had become a pretty, slim / skinny young woman.l7.This servile man was especially modest / humble when he was talking with his superiors.Ex_Diction(4)l8. This homely / ugly old man is a well-known musician.l9. My uncle became fat / stout as he grew older.l10. Is that old / elderly woman / lady sitting on the bench your mother?Ex_Diction(1-5)l11. The enemy troops were driven back when they attempted / tried to cross the border.l12. They all felt sympathy / pity for the victims of the disaster and made donations.l13. Empress Doeager Cixi was famous / notorious for her cruelty.GeneralwordsandspecificwordslGeneral word- a group/classlSpecific word-a member of that classlAttention:This classification of words into general or specific is relative in their reference. GeneralandSpecificwordslSpecific words provide precise, sensory, or concrete details. General words convey inexact, intangible, and often abstract concepts. Comparatively speaking, general words are more vague and abstract in meaning than specific words. Professionals, for instance, is more general than scientists, doctors, teachers, lawyers, journalists, etc., all of which are more specific. Although both general and specific words are useful, a student learning to write should make an effort to master and use specific words wherever possible. Specific words help to make writing clear, exact, vivid, and striking. For they are more informative and expressive than general words.ExamplelThe presidents knowledge of domestic issues is superior to his understanding of foreign policy. He has been more successful with welfare reform, for example, than with peace in the Middle East. lIn this context, Domestic issues and foreign policy are used in a general sense in the first sentence. The writer then elaborates by clarifying specific kinds of issues (welfare reform and peace in the Middle East) referred to by the more general terms in the earlier sentence. Hyponymy:TheRelationshipBetweenGeneralandSpecificWordsl上义词(superordinate) vehicle l下义词(subordinate)car,trucklFlower-tulip, jasmine, daffodil, rose, lily, carnation, daisy, edelweiss, violet, forget-me-not lGeneral and Specific Words vs. abstract and concrete wordsGeneralandSpecificlIt is easy to see that the specific words on the right are much more concrete and colorful than the general ones. They seem to make the reader see, hear, or feel what the writer wishes to describe.lGeneral and Specific words la good movie-a suspenseful, terrifying, lighthearted movie la nice smile-a winning, angelic, purposeful smile lsomeone I know-a friend, an acquaintance, a colleague, a coworker lWalk-pace, strut, stroll, march lSubstitute the precise verbs listed below for look at/said and discuss the different connotation of each verb: 1. Sebastian looked at the woman seated next to him. lStared at lGlared atlLeered atlGazed at lPeered atlAdmiredlstudiedl2. “Hurry up!” Jolene said.lShriekedlDemandedlSnapped lSanglseethedGeneralandSpecific(1)GENERAL SPECIFIC a good man kind, honest, just, generous, sympathetic, warm-hearted, selfless, honorableGeneralandSpecific(2)GENERAL SPECIFIC good food tasty, delicious, nourishing, rich, wholesome, fresh, appetizing, abundantGeneralandSpecific(3)GENERALSPECIFIC laugh smile, grin, beam, giggle, titter, snigger, chuckle, guffaw, chortleGeneralandSpecific(4)GENERAL SPECIFIClook at gaze, glance/glimpse, glare, peek, peer, stare, watch, goggle, leer, scowlGeneralandSpecific(5)GENERAL SPECIFICangry annoyed, desperate, enraged, furious, infuriating, irritated, outraged, sullenlEnglish offers a fascinating variety of specific words for many activities and interests.lWhen we say a man is walking, we can also say that a man is marching, pacing, patrolling, stalking, striding, treading, tramping, stepping out, prancing, strutting, prowling, plodding, strolling, shuffling, staggering, sidling, trudging, toddling, rambling, roaming, sauntering, meandering, lounging, loitering, or creeping.lBut each of them conveys to us a slightly different meaning. No matter which word we use, it should match our thought and suit to the occasion.lstalk: 高视阔步高视阔步, 大踏步走大踏步走 lstride:大踏步走大踏步走; 跨过跨过 ltread: 步行于步行于, 在在上走上走; 踩踩(烂烂), 践踏践踏ltrudge trd trd : :v. 沉重地走沉重地走,蹒跚地走蹒跚地走lprance pr:ns pr:ns v. 腾跃腾跃, 欢跃欢跃, 昂首阔步昂首阔步lshuffle fl :拖曳拖曳,慢吞吞地走慢吞吞地走lSidle saidl : v. (偷偷地偷偷地)侧身而行侧身而行lsaunter s:nt :v. 闲逛闲逛,漫步漫步llounge laund :v. 闲荡闲荡,懒洋洋地躺卧懒洋洋地躺卧lloiter lit : v. 闲荡闲荡,虚度虚度,徘徊徘徊lcreep kri:p :v. 爬爬,徐行徐行,蠕动蠕动Moreexamples1. The drunkard staggered（蹒跚）from the coffee shop and clung to a lamp-post.2.The hikers reached the town after a long walk and plodded（重步行走）wearily to the hotel. 3. The man whose wife was expecting the first baby was pacing（踱步）nervously up and down the hospital corridor. 4. After class, the children did not go home direct but loitered（游荡）on the way. 5. The manager strode（大步走）into the office and asked who was late for work. 6. The puppy strayed（迷途）from its home and was completely lost.7.The cock is strutting（昂头阔步）up and down the farmyard.8. After dinner, I went rambling（漫步）in the park.9.The thief has been lurking（潜行）in a corner for his unsuspecting victims.10.Not wishing to be noticed, the boy crept（爬行）downstairs. 11. At the weekend, Tom and his friends went strolling（闲逛）in the town.12. In her hurry, the maid stumbled（绊倒）and fell flat on the floor.13. The farmer trudged（艰难地走）home with his hoe.14. The mountaineers scrambled（攀爬）up the hill side.15. The car lurched（摇摆不定）forward across the grass.16. With one leg hurt, John limped（跛行）home.17. Beasts come out to prowl（四处觅食）after their prey at night.18. Before babies can walk, they crawl（爬行）.19. The victorious army marched（迈进）into the conquered city.20. The pedestrians rushed（快步走）here and there in the rain.笑的种种说法笑的种种说法laugh,giggle,chuckle,grin,guffaw,beam,smilelaugh,giggle,chuckle,grin,guffaw,beam,smilelLaugh loudlylto laugh in a nervous, excited, or silly way lSmile widely showing your teeth lto laugh quietlyLaugh maliciouslyl不怀好意地笑lLaugh lightlyl轻松地笑lLaugh happilylGiggle音调高或尖声地笑, 常指儿童或女孩咯咯笑lThe girls whispered and giggled together. lChuckle轻笑, 暗笑, 常用比喻意义, 指觉得满意lHe was chuckling to himself over what he was reading. lHe must be chuckling at his success. lGrin指露齿而笑lHe grinned broadly at me. lGuffaw放声大笑,哄笑l The company guffawed at the silly answer.lbeam笑逐颜开lHer face beamed with joy. lSmile 微笑, 反义词frownlHe smiled to see the children play. GeneralandSpecificlI have a tool in my hand.lI have an axe in my hand.lA man is walking down the street.lA man is strolling down the street.lThat was a very wonderful movie.lThat was a very instructive movie.lThe proposal covers all important aspects of the problem.lThe proposal covers cost, materials, methodology, and personnel.lkilllMurderTo murder someone is to kill them deliberately and unlawfully: The key witness was murdered before he could testify. lMassacreMassacre is used when you talk about the deliberate killing of a large number of people, especially people who cannot defend themselves: Whole native populations were massacred when the European settles arrived.SlaughterSlaughter is used when you talk about the deliberate killing of a large number of people, especially in a particularly cruel way: Men ran through the village burning houses and slaughtering anyone that got in their way. To slaughter an animal is to kill it for its meat, skin etc, or as part of a religious ceremony: The children couldnt understand why the cattle had to be slaughtered.lExecuteTo execute someone (or put someone to death is to kill someone as a punishment, according to the law: King Charles I was executed on 30th January 1639.AssassinateTo assassinate someone is to deliberately kill a very famous or important person such as a political leader: President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. A person who does this is an assassin.Commit suicideTo commit suicide (or take your own life) is to deliberately kill yourself: Rather than be taken prisoner, they preferred to commit suicide.DestroyTo destroy an animal (or have it put down/to sleep) is to kill in a way that does not cause pain, especially because it is sick or injured: The cat had developed cancer and had to be destroyed. lCull l to remove or kill (the inferior or surplus) animals from a herd