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Word choice errors include use of wrong words | wrong verb, auxiliary verb, verb particle, preposition, or relative pronoun | nonspecific or imprecise words | empty phrases, unnecessary repetition, and wordiness | clichés, slang, and informal word use.

	Part V: In formal writing assignments, writers should avoid clichésA cliché is an overused expression that has lost its effectiveness or power from overuse. Examples: in the nick of time bored out of my mind made a big impression on, slangSlang refers to very casual words or expressions that are considered too informal or inappropriate for formal contexts. Examples: Greeting a person with "What's up?" Greeting a man with "Hey, Dude!", and informal wordsExamples would be words like kids or stuff. . Read each sentence, noting the inappropriate words, which are highlighted. Click the teacher icon for further information.
1.	I hope that the government will be concerned about this thing and help community colleges have more good chances to help students in order that no student is left behind in this society, and everyone can have a happy life.	The sentence employs nonspecific words (this thing, good chances), an empty, meaningless phrase (everyone can have a happy life), and what has become a cliché, thanks to Dubya (informal for President George W. Bush) and his No Child Left Behind program, which in itself is an "empty" slogan.
2.	Opponents of the death penalty argue that the damage has already been done and can't be fixed by retribution. I don't buy their opinion.	"I don't buy their opinion" is a cliché. The expression is overused and informal. Click here to see a better sentence. I strongly disagree.
3.	The cell phone has many advantages, such as the convenience of communication, and is the coolest invention.	"The coolest invention" is slang and such language should be avoided in essays. The writer could claim that the cell phone has been one of the most widely used inventions of the twentieth century. S/he would then proceed to tout its advantages, one of which is convenience of communication.
4.	Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy from Chicago, moved to Money, Mississippi to hang out withhis cousins and some local kids.	To hang out with and kids are informal for an essay. More appropriate words would be to visit his cousins and their friends.
5.	My mom hired some workers to change the chicken coop into a beautiful, peaceful place for me. I still have this image of myself at ten moving all my stuff to my new place.	Stuff is very informal. A more appropriate word would be "my belongings."
	Learn more about slang, and cliches.

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