Subject

Vocabulary for clear writing

Explore sixteen words for discussing, shaping, and evaluating a piece of writing.

Vocabulary for clear writing

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
coherentadjective	Organized and connected in a way that is clear and makes sense.	The final paragraph turns the separate observations into a coherent argument.
conciseadjective	Expressing the needed information clearly in few words.	Please send a concise update before the meeting.
contextnoun	The surrounding information or situation that helps explain what something means.	Read the whole paragraph to understand the word in context.
contrastverb	To examine or describe differences between things.	Contrast the two endings and explain how each changes the story.
elaborateverb	To add details that explain an idea more fully.	Could you elaborate on your proposal for the courtyard?
eloquentadjective	Expressing ideas or feelings clearly, gracefully, and powerfully.	Her eloquent speech helped the audience understand why the park mattered.
evidencenoun	Information or observations that help show whether a claim is true.	The footprints provided evidence that an animal had crossed the garden.
interpretverb	To explain or understand the meaning of something.	How do you interpret the final line of the story?
justifyverb	To give reasons or evidence showing that a choice, claim, or action is reasonable.	Justify your answer with a calculation.
lucidadjective	Clearly expressed and easy to understand.	The guide gives a lucid account of how the machine works.
nuancenoun	A small but meaningful difference in meaning, feeling, sound, or appearance.	The translator preserved the nuance between a polite request and a firm instruction.
perspectivenoun	A way of thinking about or viewing a situation.	Reading the diary gave us a different perspective on the journey.
relevantadjective	Closely connected to the topic or purpose being considered.	Include only details that are relevant to your main question.
summarizeverb	To state the main points briefly.	Summarize the article in three sentences.
thesisnoun	The central claim that a piece of writing develops and supports.	The essay's thesis is that the city needs more shaded public spaces.
validadjective	Well founded or acceptable for the purpose being considered.	You have a valid reason to request more time.