Explore words with new or contested usages

Learning Objectives Analyze the evolution of a word's meaning and usage over time using historical and contemporary evidence. Differentiate between prescriptivist and descriptivist approaches to language and apply these frameworks to textual analysis. Evaluate the rhetorical effect of using neologisms or contested words in literary and non-literary texts. Identify the social, cultural, and technological factors that drive language change. Construct a well-reasoned argument for or against the formal acceptance of a contested word, citing appropriate evidence. Apply an understanding of contested usage to their own college-level writing, making deliberate choices about diction based on audience and purpose. Ever used 'literally' to mean 'figuratively' a...

TermDefinitionExample NeologismA newly coined word, term, or expression that is not yet formally accepted into mainstream language.The word 'doomscrolling' emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to describe the act of compulsively scrolling through bad news. Semantic ShiftThe evolution of a word's meaning over time. This can include broadening, narrowing, or a complete change in meaning (amelioration or pejoration).The word 'awful' originally meant 'worthy of awe' or 'awe-inspiring'. It has undergone pejoration to now mean 'very bad' or 'terrible'. PrescriptivismAn approach to language that seeks to establish and enforce rules for 'correct' usage, often based on historical precedent or perceived logic.A prescriptivis...

The Audience, Purpose, and Context (APC) Framework Your choice to use a new or contested word should always be dictated by your Audience, Purpose, and Context. Before using a word like 'rizz' or a contested term like 'woke', consider who you are writing for (Audience), what you are trying to achieve (Purpose), and the formal or informal setting of your communication (Context). In a formal academic paper, such words might undermine credibility, while in a creative piece, they could add authenticity. The Principle of Clarity and Precision Prioritize clarity. If a new or contested word could be misinterpreted by your intended audience, either define it or choose a more established alternative. The goal of most writing is effective communication. While innova...