Wordplay 550 Words You Need To Know Pdf Writer
Word is one of the most used computer programs on the planet. Helping you to compose text is one of the things that computers do well, but that doesn’t make the text-writing chore easier or imply that using Word is simple enough that you don’t need help. So enjoy this Cheat Sheet. You need to know these words, you need to understand these words, and you need to be able to use them in conversation. Two red stars. means that the word is one of the next 2500 most common words. Two-star words are part of the core vocabulary, but they are not as frequently used as the 3-star words.
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Copywriters can’t just consider factual and grammatical accuracy, rhythm and clarity of ideas – although all these things are important. To write copy that generates a reaction, copywriters must dig into the emotional and psychological impact of the words we use.
Here are 64 words that help you turn ordinary copy into more powerful, and more effective copy (that sells stuff).
Words to use in all your copywriting.
1. You
Using the word you makes your reader the focus on your message. Using more instances of ‘you’ than words like ‘we’, ‘our’ and ‘us’. You is the cornerstone of customer-centric copywriting that’s the kind of copywriting that converts readers into customers.
BONUS: Imagine
When you use a word like imagine you invite your reader to take a quick holiday into their happy place. A place without pain or sorrow, frustrating or irritation. Painting that kind of scenario is a great way to open your copywriting, or deliver the solution (in your Pain-Agitate-Solution copywriting formula).
2. Because
Giving people a reason to do something is incredibly powerful. The surprising thing is that it doesn’t even have to be a great reason. True! Ellen Langer, a social psychologist and professor at Harvard University, conducted a study where she tested how willing people were to let someone queue jump, using different phrases.
The upshot is that when a reason was giving (as simple as, I’m in a rush), 90% plus let the person into the queue.
Because is a powerhouse.
Words to use in your headlines, offers and calls to action.
Words about newness
3. Introducing
4. Welcome
5. Unique
6. Announcing
7. Breakthrough
8. Surprising
9. Exciting
10. Astounding
Words about exclusivity
11. Special
12. Secret Toad for oracle free download for mac.
13. Hidden
14. Truth
15. Temptation
16. Forbidden
17. Never
18. Revealed
19. Exclusive
20. Limited
Words about urgency
21. Now
22. Discover
23. New
24. Results
25. Only
26. Direct
27. Hurry
28. Quick
29. Fast
Words that reassure
30. Can
31. Guarantee
32. Proven
33. Easy
34. Care
35. Simple
36. Safety
37. Lifetime
Words about caring
38. Family
39. Love
40. Children
41. Heaven
42. Dream
43. Health
Words about saving
44. Save
45. Money
46. Win
47. Cheap
48. Free
49. Reduced
50. Bargain
51. Bonus
52. Discount
53. Lowest
Words about pain
54. Hate
55. Failure
56. Afraid
57. Lazy
58. Humiliation
59. Alone
60. Reject
61. Stress
62. Stupid
63. Guilty
How to use words that sell
I’ve just given you a long list of copywriting words that sell and I hear you ask: “What the heck am I supposed to do now?” I’m not suggesting you try and work every one of these into your copywriting. That would be … well. that would be an amazing effort if you did.
Instead, consider the emotion you want to tap into or the psychological impact. Think about how you want the reader to feel or, in the case of pain, avoid feeling, or think about, and use a word from that category.
Let me say that again because it’s the key to making power words work: Think about how you want someone to feel or what you want them to think about, and choose a word from that category.
Let’s look at a few examples so you can see what I mean.
An offer:
This discount is available until midnight on Friday.
How do I want the reader to feel? I want them to feel a bit of fear (of missing out) and that the deal is a special one.
This exclusivediscount offer is only available until midnight. Act now!
A call to action:
Download the party plan e-guide and start planning your next party.
How do I want the reader to feel? I want to reassure them that this guide will show them how to host the best parties (and that it’s easy).
Download this free party plan to discover 11 simplesecrets to hosting parties everyone raves about.
A brochure headline:
Our new product is helping millions.
How do I want the reader to feel? I want to them to sense the exciting nature of the product and that it can help them.
Revealed! The exciting breakthrough that is helping millions … Can it help YOU too?
Words that sell: Make them your words
Next time you have a headline, call to action, offer or statement that makes YOU snooze, check back to this list of words that sell and ask yourself what you want the reader to feel and which power words can spice things up. What ever you are writing, focus on the pay off for the reader.
So now it’s over to you. Test out these words that sell in your copy and see if they change the responses you get. Don’t forget to let me know how you go.
And if you have your own spicy power words, let me know and I’ll add them to the list!
The Copy Detective
And if 60+ power words that sell aren’t enough, check out Jon Morrow’s mega list of 317 words!
If you’re reading this, then you want to be a better writer. However, becoming a better writer is elusive, isn’t it? It’s more art than science. There are hundreds of writing rules, thousands of words to know, and millions of possible ways you could write even a simple message.
How do you become a better writer when writing itself is so complicated?
One Writing Rule to Rule Them All
In this article, we’ll discuss seven words you should avoid, but if I had to give you one piece of advice about how to become a better writer, this would be it:
“Be more specific.”
Being more specific is the piece of the writing advice I give to nearly every writer I work with.
Unfortunately, there aren’t seven magical words that you can use to make your writing better.
Instead, these seven vague words are KILLING your writing.
If you want to follow writing rule number one to be more specific, then you need to look out for these seven words. They’re vague and are usually a shortcut to what you’re really trying to say.
Every time you catch yourself writing with any of these, try to find a better (and more specific) way to phrase your message.
A Caveat
The problem with writing about what not to do is that you inevitably do exactly what you’re telling others not to do.
If you catch me using any of these seven words or phrases in this article or elsewhere, you’re welcome to email me angrily, calling me a hypocrite.
Consider, though, that none of us, especially me, have arrived at the summit of editorial perfection. Also, please remember that writing is still an art, not a science, and the most important rule of art is to break the rules!
The 7 Words and Phrases NOT to Use
Without further delay, here are the seven words and phrases to avoid if you want to become a better writer.
1. “One of”
Good writers take a stand.
It is either the most important or not. It’s either the best or not. Avoid saying “one of the most important,” “one of the best.”
Example: One of the most important writing rules is to be specific.
Instead: The most important writing rule is to be specific.
2. “Some”
Here is the definition of the word “some:
- An unspecified amount or number of.
- Used to refer to someone or something that is unknown or unspecified.
By definition, the word “some” is vague, and as you know, vague writing is bad writing.
If you want to become a better writer, avoid “some” and all of its relatives:
- sometimes
- something
- someone
- somewhere
- somewhat
- somebody
- somehow
3. “Thing”
We use the word “thing” constantly. Even as I was writing this article, I had to fight to avoid using it.
However, the word “thing” is a shortcut and a sign of vague, watered-down writing. If you see it in your writing, think hard about what you’re really trying to say.
4. “To Be” verbs, Especially Before Verbs Ending With -Ing
“To be” is the most frequently used verb in the English language. Its conjugations include:
- am
- are
- is
- was
- were
- being
- been
Because “To Be” verbs are so common, we easily overuse them, especially with progressive verbs, verbs that end in -ing.
Example: “Spot was running through the woods.”
Instead: “Spot ran through the woods.”
“Spot was running” is a good example of a verb weakened by “to be.”
“Spot ran” on the other hand, is a much stronger example.
5. “Very”
Why cut the word “very”? I’m going to leave this one to the pros:
“Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very,’” said Mark Twain. “Your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”
“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys—to woo women—and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays.” —N.H. Kleinbaum, Dead Poets Society
“‘Very’ is the most useless word in the English language and can always come out. More than useless, it is treacherous because it invariably weakens what it is intended to strengthen.” —Florence King
6. Adverbs (words that end with “-ly”)
Adverbs—like loudly, painfully, beautifully—are well-meaning words that do nothing for the reading experience.
Good writing is specific. Good writing paints pictures in readers’ minds. But which sentence paints a better picture in your mind?
Sentence 1: “She laughed loudly.”
Sentence 2: “Her loud laugh seemed to reverberate through the party like a gong. Heads turned to see where the ruckus came from.”
Adverbs do lend verbs a glimmer of meaning, but it’s the difference between gold-plated and solid gold. Go for the real thing. Avoid adverbs.
7. Leading words: So, mostly, most times, in order to, often, oftentimes
Most times—often even—you don’t need leading words. Cut them to sharpen your writing.
I’ve even read an argument that beginning your sentence with the word “so” can sound condescending. What do you think?
Writing This Way Isn’t Easy
Wordplay 550 Words You Need To Know Pdf Writer Pdf
It takes time. You have to think through each sentence, each word. You have to cut and rewrite and rewrite again.
You have to think.
This, of course, is how you become a better writer. You labor over words. You build up meaning one sentence at a time. And eventually you become so fast and competent that it’s easy, simple to write this way.
Just kidding. It’s never easy. It’s worth it, though.
Do you try to avoid any or all of these words in your writing? Let us know in the comments section.
PRACTICE
Rewrite the following paragraph, avoiding the seven words above.
One of John’s favorite things was the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the East River. He would sometimes walk there early in the morning when it was still very dark in order to see the city in first light. Often he would see others there who were walking and enjoying the city as well. He was somewhere near Squibb Park when someone came up behind him. She had really blonde hair and was very beautiful and she bumped him roughly as she was running quickly by. He fell, painfully, on his side, and so the woman stopped, and was jogging in place as she asked if he was okay. So, he thought, what am I going to do now?
Write for fifteen minutes, packing as much specific detail as you can into the paragraph. When you’re finished, post your practice in the comments section. And if you share your practice, please be sure to leave feedback on a few practices by other writers.
Wordplay 550 Words You Need To Know Pdf Writers
Have fun!