Choose precise, effective and varied vocabulary, avoiding vague, repeated or wrongly used words

What this dot point is asking

This dot point is about choosing the best word for the job: precise, varied and correctly used vocabulary that lifts the quality of your writing. Three habits are rewarded. First, precision: replacing vague all-purpose words ("nice", "thing", "got", "good", "bad") with exact ones that carry real meaning. Second, variety: not repeating the same word when a different one would refresh the writing. Third, correctness: using strong vocabulary accurately rather than reaching for an impressive word you do not fully control. The language mark across every paper rewards a writer who chooses words deliberately, and this dot point is about doing so.

The answer

Precise words carry more meaning

Vague words are easy to reach for but tell the reader little. "The food was nice" barely describes anything; "the food was delicious", "fragrant" or "fresh" gives a real picture. The same is true of weak verbs: "he got a prize" is flat next to "he won a prize"; "she went quickly" is weaker than "she dashed" or "she hurried". Precision means choosing the word that names exactly what you mean. A useful test: if a word could describe almost anything ("nice", "good", "thing", "stuff", "a lot"), it is probably too vague, and a more exact word is waiting.

Variety keeps writing fresh

Repeating the same word, especially a common one, makes writing feel monotonous. A paragraph that uses "good" five times, or "said" after every line of dialogue, drags. Varying your vocabulary, "good" becoming "excellent", "enjoyable", "impressive" or "worthwhile" as each context demands, keeps the reader engaged. The aim is not to avoid every repetition (some repetition is natural and even useful for emphasis), but to replace dull, accidental repetition with words that suit each particular use.

Strong verbs do the heavy lifting

The single most effective upgrade is often the verb. A precise verb can replace a weak verb plus an adverb: "walked slowly" becomes "trudged"; "said angrily" becomes "snapped"; "looked carefully" becomes "examined" or "scrutinised". Strong verbs make writing tighter and more vivid, and they show range. When editing your own work, look first at the verbs and ask whether a single precise verb could do the work of a weak verb and its modifier.

Use big words correctly, not to impress

Reaching for an impressive word you do not fully understand backfires: a word used in the wrong sense, or in the wrong collocation, reads worse than a simple correct one. "She was very benevolent about the noise" misuses "benevolent" (which means kind, not tolerant); "tolerant" or "patient" would be right. Precision means the exact word, not the longest one. A modest word used correctly always beats an advanced word used wrongly, so only deploy ambitious vocabulary you are sure of.

Examples in context

Example 1. Vague to precise. A weak description reads: "It was a nice day, so we did some fun things at a nice place and had a good time." Almost every adjective is vague. A precise version reads: "It was a sunny, breezy day, so we kayaked and cycled at a peaceful riverside park and had a thoroughly relaxing afternoon." The exact words ("sunny", "breezy", "kayaked", "cycled", "peaceful", "relaxing") give the reader a real picture, while the vague version could describe any outing at all. This upgrade, from words that say little to words that say exactly what happened, is the heart of strong word choice.

Example 2. The strong verb advantage. Compare "She walked angrily out of the room and shut the door hard" with "She stormed out of the room and slammed the door." The second is shorter and far more vivid because two strong verbs ("stormed", "slammed") replace a weak verb plus an adverb in each case. The precise verb carries both the action and its manner at once, tightening the sentence and showing range. Examiners reward this economy, which is why scanning your own verbs for upgrades is one of the fastest ways to lift a script.

Try this

• Cue. Replace the vague word in "The film was really good." Choose a precise adjective that fits a film, such as "gripping", "moving" or "hilarious", depending on the kind of film, instead of the all-purpose "good".

• Cue. Tighten "He said in a frightened voice that he wanted to leave." Replace the weak verb plus phrase with a single precise verb that carries the fear, for example "He stammered that he wanted to leave" or "He whimpered that he wanted to leave."

• Cue. Fix the misused word in "The teacher was very generous about late homework and accepted it." "Generous" is not quite right for accepting lateness; the precise word is "lenient" or "tolerant", which means willing to allow something, so write "The teacher was very lenient about late homework."