Nouns
Sin & Syntax
A group project by:
Andre
Nara
EWRT 1A
Pablo
Nhat
Mrs. Raffaeli -Mcleish
Marlene
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
The message here is:
their product.
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
• Putting little effort into choosing your words, or hastily
creating inelegant nouns out of other nouns.
• 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.
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.
I’m famished from
the lack of nutritious
supplements.
Don’t be Mr. Moneybags
• 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”.