In the last chapter, we discussed the intricacies of sentence structure and how they control the flow and pace our your story. In the same vein, word choice can also control the flow.

It's quite ironic. even the use of 'word choice' is poorly chosen. If this was not an informative piece I would simply use 'word selection' or 'vocabulary manipulation'. This would ultimately, defeat the purpose of teaching how to take basic phrases and make fantastic ones.

One very important thing to note is that your audience will determine your word choice. For example, if I were writing a children's book, I would use simple techniques such as rhyme and alliteration. While I personally love a good alliteration, these are not found as often in novels intended for young adults or older, though they can be. Pay attention to who your target audience it and mold the vocabulary to fit. It would be rare that a seven-year-old reading about little boy blue wants to here this fun character called 'miniature male aquamarine'. You'll notice, I used alliteration in both.

Miniature male

Boy Blue

However, one is much more suitable for children while another could be fun banter and wordplay among younger or older adults.

Apart from your audience, there is more to learn about vocabulary and how to use it. There are some words that have double meanings. Do not confuse this with homonyms. 

Homonym example: bark(dog)  and bark (tree)

I am not referring to this English heresy that continues to confuse those who are not native speakers. On the contrary, I am referring to words like 'sneer'.

Sneek is a great example of words with two meanings. Sneer means an almost rude type of smile. For example, if you say "The crazy man sneered as the police drag him away."

Sneer fit this sentence because the man is crazy, so he would be smiling, but also display signs of anger or agitation. A sneer can be threatening at times too. Do not confuse this and think that sneer has two separate definitions, in fact, Google defines it as such: a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone.

It is important to read even as a writer. You might not enjoy reading, but if you try to read at least one thing a month (this could be short stories or anything) then you will broaden your vocabulary tenfold. You will find certain words appealing and see how they were applied in a previous story and include them in your own.

Before moving further, I would like to remind you that I am typing in a sorry excuse for a cockney accent. As I have said before, this helps me white because British vocabulary can differ greatly from American vocabulary. This means that If I make myself sound fancy I will ultimately use bigger words. If I were typing a story where people aren't quite so bright, I would probably talk in a different accent. I am from the south of the USA. While the stereotypes arent all true, my go-to for 'stupid' sections or characters is a thick southern accent, one that VERY few people actually have.

So, be aware of your audience and make sure you adjust your vocabulary accordingly. Just as your sentence structure changes the flow, the vocabulary can also guide the sentence itself. Anyone can learn to master vocabulary, but I highly recommend reading to do so. Of course, you can just Google synonyms, but this doesn't always give you the best scenarios to use certain words, where reading can diversify this.

Setting can also determine what words you use. One example that always stood out to me is The Maze Runner. I remember thinking about how brilliant the author was to create an entire 'language' for those trapped in the maze. Now, granted, it was not an entire language, but since they were portrayed as 'backwoods'  (Southern term just Google it) the author gave them certain words unique to their environment. hey did not use these words before being placed there, but they developed over time because of the setting and situation.

Another thing to mention, do not overdo your vocabulary. I would probably stop reading a story if they turn this: "The red car was very slow" into this: "Maroon was the automobile progressing across the pavement at the rate of molasses" The sentence itself is fine and slightly humourous, but if every sentence is worded this way then it will be a bit drab and dry after a while. Keep it fresh and use 'small' vocabulary when needed and 'big' vocabulary when needed. 

Small and big are subjective to the age range. Typically bigger vocabulary would be more complex words... such as using complex instead of 'big'

Likewise, don't switch between vocabulary styles among your character. We have already discussed how you can build your character through descriptions, using showing rather than telling. This time however I will be referring to dialogue and not descriptions. If your character is to be portrayed as intelligent, refrain from having them say things like "stupid" or cussing excessively. While these do not necessarily make someone or a character dumb, many readers assume so. This would be like a businessman with great emotional control suddenly screaming out "You are a stupid doo doo head!" Surely, there is a better way to insult someone if you are intelligent, for example: "You are a disreputable imbecile. I am ashamed to work with you."

In summary:

Know your audience

Read often to better utilize your vocabulary

Understand your character and what vocabulary they might use

Don't switch your vocabulary style for a character. The only exception is if there has been a change in the story (brain damage or a sudden increase in intellect)

Try not to get too overboard with the vocabulary as well

Your vocabulary is determined by the setting as well