Joseph Grant

The Case for Short Words Questions for Study and Discussion:
1. In this essay, written to encourage the use of short words, Lederer himself employs many poly
syllabic words in paragraphs 5-11. What is his purpose in doing so? His purpose in doing this
is to show how polysyllabic words only prolong a piece of writing and don't always create a
rich and specific vocabulary.
2. Lederer quotes a variety of passages to illustrate the effectiveness of short words. For example,
he quotes from famous, universally familiar sources, such as Shakespeare and the King James
Bible, as well as his own ninth-grade students. How does the variety of his illustrations serve to
inform his readers? How does each example gain impact from the inclusion of the others? The
variety of his illustrations show his readers that short words have been effective throughout
history and are still effective today. Each example gains impact from the inclusion of the others
because while they all individually show that short words are usable, when combined they each
show the ease with which short words can be used by anybody.
3. To make clear to the reader why short words are effective, Lederer relies heavily on metaphors
and similes, especially in the first four paragraphs. Choose at least one metaphor and one
simile from these paragraphs, and explain the comparison implicit in each. One simile is
Small words are the ones we seem to have known since we were born, like the hearth fire that
warms the home., this comparison here is between small words which are very old and
familiar to us and the hearth fire which we have known and enjoyed since childhood.
A Metaphor is Big words can make the way dark... this metaphor implies that using big words
can be difficult and can make an piece of writing harder to understand.
4. In paragraph 10, Lederer refers to the relief his students feel when released from the pressure
to produce high-sounding polysyllables. Where does this pressure come from? How does it

relate to the central purpose of this essay? This pressure comes from a student's desire to get a
good grade by using big words to improve the appearance and attractiveness of a piece of
writing. It relates to the central purpose of this essay because it shows that you do not have to
use big words to write effectively or get a good grade.
5. How does the final paragraph serve to close the essay effectively? The final paragraph serves to
close the essay effectively because it gives a thought provoking example and final statement
and it refers back to the main point.
6. This Essay abounds with examples of striking sentences and passages consisting entirely of
one-syllable words. Choose four of the single-sentence examples or a section of several
sentences from one of the longer examples, and rewrite them, using primarily words of two or
more syllables. Notice how each revision differs from the original.

1) If a long word says just what you want to say, do not fear to use it
Provided that a lengthy word relays the proper context, then enlist it's use fearlessly.

2) Small words are the ones we seem to have known from the time we were born, like the
hearth fire that warms the home.
Everyone has known tiny words since birth, similar to the fireplace's that rejuvenated our
households in warmth.

3) Big words seem strange to the eye and the ear and the mind and the heart.
Lengthy words arouse strangeness within eyeballs, ears, craniums, and the heart.

4) Short words are like fast friends

Minimized words compare to fleeting comrades.