Word Sounds
Just like sounds, short, hard words, especially those with short, hard
sounds, create tension. This gives a feeling of energy and action to your
writing. Use it especially when you want something to feel more urgent
and exciting.
Longer words not only feel calmer, they also sound more formal and
educated. Use them when you want to create an aura of sophistication
K T P CH
G D B J
S SH F H
Z ZH V
L R
M N NG
A E I O U Y
8: Contrast 117
Practice
or relaxation. Remember, however, that too many long words might
relax your reader right to sleep. Also notice that the majority of long
words have softer letters. This occurs because 60% of English words
come from French (circa 1099 A.D. and the 100 years when the French
Normans ruled Great Britain) and French words tend to be longer and
use softer sounds than Old English’s Germanic roots.
Want to know more? Then observe these patterns:
Germanic Roots French Roots
Pig Pork
Cow Beef
Chicken Poultry
While the Old English-speaking peasants dealt with the animals, the
French-speaking upper class dealt with the food end of things.