NounsA group project by:

Andre

Pablo

Nara

Nhat

Marlene

EWRT 1A

Mrs. Raffaeli -Mcleish

Sin & Syntax

What is a noun?• Noun derives from the latin

word nomen which means name.

• Nouns exist to name people, places, and things.

• Things can be tangible or intangible.

• Tangible things are perceptible by the senses.

• Intangible things cannot be perceived by the senses.

Types of Nouns• Every noun is either a:▫ Person▫ Place▫ Tangible or concrete thing▫ Intangible thing

• All nouns fall into one of the above categories and they may also belong to:▫ Common noun: refers to people, places, and written with

lowercase letters.▫ Proper noun: referring to only one person, place, or thing and

written with an initial capital letter.▫ Compound nouns: two or more nouns combined to form a

single noun. (film star)

Strong Nouns

• All nouns have to convey vivid images and powerful emotions.• They must be precise, rich, and pertinent.• To know whether a noun is strong or not you can guide

yourself with the following tips:

• Prefer the familiar word to the ostentatious• Prefer the single word to the circumlocution• Prefer the short word to the long• Prefer the standard to the offbeat• Prefer the specific to the general• Prefer the definite to the vague• Prefer the concrete to the abstract

Uses• Just because a noun has to be strong does not mean there is

no variety when it comes to using them.• Nouns can be generic and simple without attention-seeking

adjectives.• Descriptions that rely on heavy adjective use are prone to

misinterpretation. Some of the best writers concentrate on noun-filled detail.

• Brand names are an example of nouns packed with meaning meant to identify their product. The message here is:

precise engineering

Seven Deadly Sins

• When using nouns there are key mistakes to look out for.

• Sin and Syntax has labeled them as the Seven Deadly Sins:

▫ Sloth▫Gluttony▫ Fog▫ Pretense

▫Gobbledygook▫ Jargon▫ Euphemism

Sloth

• Words such as effectualization, disintermediation, and scrutinization are examples of clunky, inelegant nouns.

• This originates from the combining of prefixes, suffixes on suffixes.

• Clichés are also a signal of sloth because they require no thought. Over time the overuse of cliches have drained them of surprise and power.

• Putting little effort into choosing your words, or hastily creating inelegant nouns out of other nouns.

Gluttony• You are a glutton if you use multiple words where only one

would do.

• Keep it simple, do not lengthen a simple word such as happy with in a state of positive emotions.

• Instead of straight verbs and nouns you will end up tormenting your reader and scaring them away.

Fog• Fog is the act of using vague words instead of concrete ones.

• An undecided writer’s foggy thinking will lead to words such as individual or phenomenon.

• Example phrase: “The phenomenon of health anxiety” instead of “anxiety about health”.

• Clear examples of fog can be found at your local government facility.

Pretense• Pretense is the use of pompous, inconspicuous nouns.

• This occurs when the writer forgets his main goal is

communicating with the audience through the use of appropriate words.

Don’t be Mr. Moneybags

I’m famished from the lack of nutritious supplements.

• Whenever presented with the option of being snobbish opt for the simpler words.

Gobbledygook• Pronunciation: gob-uhl-dee-gook

• Also known as bureaucratese – as in the language used by bereaucrats.

• Any text containing convoluted English that results in it being excessively hard to understand or even incomprehensible.

Al Gore: “No controlling legal authority.”

Instead he could’ve said: “I didn’t break the law.”

Jargon• Jargon is the agreed-upon technical

lingo amongst professions.

• Doctors and lawyers are most notorious for jargon, and should avoid it when dealing with clients.

• To make life easier, think of jargon as junk.

• Example: a doctor saying “a bilateral digital amputation” instead of “lost two fingers”.

Euphemism• It’s a substitution for an offensive expression that may offend

or suggest something unpleasant to the receiver, using instead an agreeable or less offensive expression.

• If it involves the death of a loved one, the use of inoffensive words is tact and not euphemism.

• Euphemism is also known as pacification.

• Example: Ronald Reagan trying to get the press to say air support instead of “bombings”.