Writing is a difficult endeavor and even the most illustrious authors would agree that the process is nothing short of frustrating. It’s not just finding ideas that make writing so complicated. For many, it’s being able to find the right words to convey ideas profoundly. Even if you have a good story, you may not have a good arsenal of words you can use to tell it.
It’s important for writers, from academic essayists to fanfiction hobbyists, to develop their storehouse of vocabulary. Knowing what words to use not only adds color to writing but also emphasizes emotions and creates a rhythm that keeps readers engaged. To accomplish that, you will need to know how to expand your vocabulary arsenal.
1. Develop a healthy reading habit
This is the most basic yet quite often neglected method of developing your vocabulary. Not many people are aware that reading can expose them to new words and how these words are used in context. It’s only a matter of finding time to read every day. The secret is to avoid treating reading as a chore. Read for leisure and let the words flow into your subconscious. Moreover, don’t limit yourself to reading a single genre or format.
Diversify your reading habit by picking up a newspaper and finishing a chapter of the book you want to finish. Maintain a reading regimen so you can encounter words you may want to use in your practice.
2. Keep a journal
No writer would have finished their book without the help of a journal. There were a few but it’s always a rare case. That’s because your journal acts as the draft before your first draft. It serves as a record of your daily interactions, musings, observations, and, more importantly, reflections on what you’ve read.
Make a habit out of writing down quotations, phrases, or lines that have impressed you. This allows you to explore new words and their meanings. By writing them in your journal, you can build up a personal dictionary where you can find words to incorporate into your writing.
3. Gamify your study
Some people learn new words better when they play educational games. If you’re the kind of person who learns well in interactive situations, you can play word games. There are tons of these in app stores, including online Boggle, Wheel of Fortune, and crossword puzzles.
Scrabble also provides great practice for demonstrating your vocabulary knowledge. Use sites like Unscramblex if it’s your first time so you can identify words you didn’t know existed such as the word euouae. Whatever you’re playing, track your progress and always include new words in your growing dictionary.
4. Use technology to your advantage
AI-powered language models have had a bad rap among writers who see it as a tool that plagiarizes existing works. We can never overlook the value that AI platforms like ChatGPT and grammar-checking software like Grammarly can bring in helping you practice your skills as a wordsmith.
Rather than leave much of the creative process to these platforms, you should instead use their features to enhance your writing style. You can also sign up for online workshops that can help you expand your storehouse of words and refine your writing style.
Endnote
People often say that simpler language is better for communication. However, when you’re writing a creative piece straight from the heart, you need words that match the rhythm of your style and give a characteristic authenticity to your work. Take these tips in mind and start coloring the world with your words.