by Jeff Nelsen and Katy Webb
Words good matter, well.
Let’s eat Grandma! (Punctuation matters too, but that’s another article.)
…aaaand here’s the axiom:
It’s true! So let’s talk about words and choices. For our short article this month, we’d like to focus specifically on three aspects of word choice: we have found people can be less general, less emotional, and less problem-based. This would mean that we can all be more specific, more scientific, and more solution-finding. While we’re at it, let’s take out the word more: we can be specific, scientific, and solution-based. Here are three case studies which examine the problems with each and potential solutions for each.
Case #1: Specificity directs us to what to do.
*Student performs*
Teacher: How was your intonation?
Student: Pretty good. (a general statement)
Teacher: Okay, good! Be more specific.
Student: Nothing was too bad, but this note here was a bit wonky.
Teacher: Okay, good you’re right! Get more specific.
Student: This note was out of tune.
Teacher: You’re right, get more specific :)
Student: This note was sharp. (a specific statement)
Case #2: A scientific focus on content adds clarity and drops destructive emotion.
*Student performs*
Teacher: How was your intonation?
Student: I felt it was pretty good. (an emotional statement)
Teacher: Okay, get more scientific.
Student: It’s hard to play that note in tune.
Teacher: Did you play that note in tune?
Student: No, my pitch on that note sucked.
Teacher: What about that note would you like to change?
Student: These notes were in tune, but that note was sharp, and I’d like to lower it a bit. (a scientific statement)
Case #3: Solution-finding reveals clear habitual actions.
*Student performs*
Teacher: How was your intonation?
Student: I always have trouble with keeping my F’s and G’s low. (a problem-based statement)
Teacher: That’s useful information. Did you?
Student: No, they need to be lower.
Teacher: Great, what’s your solution?
Student: I will play my F’s and G’s lower. (a solution-based statement)
In the spirit of word choice, we are not saying this is easy. However, simple is different than easy. We have, we hope, made constructive word choice a bit simpler for you. As with all the other things that were not easy at first—but in which you were able to gain ease through practice—this is worth it.
We wish you a life full of bad at getting frustrated! (See what we did there?)
