Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Roget's Words for Writers Reviewed

Saying it differently

Today I would like to review something I have put on my Christmas Gift List. The Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers is something I could utilize on a daily basis. I have a very worn copy of a general Thesaurus but I think one specifically for writers would my new go to reference.

stack of books
Looking for synonyms: a writer's task
image courtesy of pixabay.com

Anton Chekhov once said, "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." An author needs to paint the scene for their readers using words. We can have a dull canvas with a lot of the same colors (words) or we can look for colors that are surprising and much more descriptive. Synonyms often assist with our choices.

For instance, I could write this:
Anton wasn't prepared for the man's rude response.

So, we know a man was being rude to Anton. What if I found a synonym for rude and changed the sentence to:
Anton wasn't prepared for the man's truculent response.

I don't know about you but I envision two different things that basically mean the same thing. Rude makes me think of something that is crude, rough or abrasive. Truculent seems harsher, more scathing, meaner in a way.


Writer's Tool


Roget's Words for Writers is a thesaurus but set-up differently. It isn't the simple word list in alphabetical order that we are used to. Instead it is compiled by meaning with a sample of words that emote the same meaning (such as rude) in more descriptive and emotive choices. It even gives samples of the synonym or antonym in a sentence for you. There are over 2300 words featured in this tool for writers.

I've put this reference book on my wish list hoping one of my girl's will give it to me for Christmas this year. If they opt for something different, I'll just purchase it for myself. I think it will come in mighty handy as I start working toward my goal of publishing a book a month in 2020.

What do you think? Would you use a tool like this? It doesn't have to be for a novel, it could be helpful in several types of writing. Perhaps there is someone on your gift list who would benefit from a reference book like this.



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


6 comments:

  1. I have several reference books for writers. This one would fit right in as a very helpful resource for many types of writing. Thanks, Bev.

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  2. I wasn't aware of Roget's Words for Writers. I would love to have this resource. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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  3. Oh, my! I can definitely see how the Roget's Words for Writers would be most helpful, even to those of us who simply publish online articles and reviews. An excellent suggestion for a gift to give to a writer!

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  4. Wow, I think I could use a book like this too. Even though I'm not a "writer" in the proper sense of the word, I think being able to express oneself with better words is always a good thing. It might even make people stop and take notice of what is being said. So many times that would be a good thing! Thanks for this review, I will have to put it on my "want" list.

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  5. Oh my I need this as well. I do use the online thesaurus quite a bit, but Rogets Words for Writers is much better. Terrific Christmas idea as well (hint hint if anyone in the family ever reads this). You'll reach your goal of your book a month, I have no doubt. Oh and when you typed truculent, I must be hungry, thought of succulent. lol.

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  6. This sounds like an invaluable reference book for any writer, whether their focus is fiction or marketing materials. Thanks so much for the recommendation!

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