14 Use specific language.
Details		Incorrect Example			Correct Example
a) The beginning sentence should be specific.		The two kids from this book go skating every weekend. (What book? What kids?)		Marsh and Willy, two kids from Gary Paulsen’s book Dancing Carl, go skating every weekend.
b) Write with specific words, not vague ones.		Avoid words like these: a lot, good, got, like, lots, nice, some, sort of, stuff, things, etc.		Use words that apply specifically to your topic. The lifeless words at left can be applied to anything.
c) Avoid all-inclusive or all-exclusive words:		Always, anybody, all, everyone, every time, everything, whatever; No one, never, nothing
d) Avoid words that weaken the meaning of the writing.		He was sort of a great general. He was kind of skinny.		He was a great general. He was skinny.
e) Instead of putting “really” or “very” in front of a plain word, find a stronger word. Shift-F7!		I picked a really boring book.		I picked a lifeless book. I picked a tedious book. I picked a dreary book. I picked a mind-numbing book. I picked a wearisome book. I picked an insipid book.
f) Avoid clichés.				Link
	When you’re describing something or someone, you can’t just chose dull words like “beautiful”, “pretty”, or “nice”. You must search for more meaty and imaginative words. Roald Dahl		Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very." Your editor will delete it and the writing will then be just as it should be.  Mark Twain