Ruled by Intellect or Emotion? Tips on Word Choice #25

[image error] This time series, based on satellite data, shows the annual Arctic sea ice minimum since 1979. The September 2010 extent was the third lowest in the satellite record. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Certain words/phrases can induce fairly specific responses in readers. As writers, we all know this, but do we use the power of emotion in our work?
For these few weeks, I’m looking at something subjective: how to choose between emotional and intellectual words for effect. You won’t always agree with me, of course; you’re writers. But, hopefully, my suggestions will get the thought processes going.
In this series I’m looking at the difference between words that seem intellectual as opposed to those that evoke a more emotional response. How you use them is obviously up to you. The point is that the alternatives have the same, or very similar, meanings, but their effect upon the reader can be markedly different. I’ve made some suggestions here, but I’m sure you can think of others.
Intellectual: LargeEmotional: Big
‘As the reigning Conservative party, we are able to fool a large portion of the electorate regardless of our appalling record of broken promises.’
‘There’s a big section of voters who are easily taken in by the lies of the major political parties.’
Intellectual: LearnEmotional: Find Out
‘What are we to learn from the speed of our response to the situation in Ukraine?’
‘Do you think we’ll ever find out why the stupid buggers took so long to actually do something about the Ruskies invading Ukraine?’
Intellectual: Peril         Emotional: Danger
‘The evidence suggests that we will place the existence of the human race in peril should we ignore the evidence presented by climate scientists.’
‘Those bloody climate deniers have put us all in danger because they won’t believe the facts about global climate change.’
Intellectual: WorldwideEmotional: In The World
‘There appears to be a worldwide conspiracy amongst Big Business to drive the population into a frenzy of needless consumption merely to support the excessive lifestyles of the super-rich.’
‘Nearly everyone in the world’s been fooled by the leaders of Big Business and their plan to make us all buy things we don’t need just to keep them rich and comfortable.’

This last post in this series is also the last on this blog. From today, all my posts will appear in my new, developing, website at http://stuartaken.net/ Please do join me there.Related articles [image error] A Climate Change Denier's Links to the Fossil Fuel Industry Exposed [image error] Climate Deniers Using Same Tactics as Big Tobacco [image error] Climate Change: What's Really Been Going On (And How We Can Solve It)