Last week I taught writing workshops to 4th graders. One classroom had a terrific bulletin board display titled "The Graveyard of Overused Words." The board was covered with cut-out tombstones with epitaphs like Here lies NICE, cold as ice.
Around the sides of the stones were synonyms that could be used instead. Samples of other epitaphs:
REALLY is buried here, along with his brother VERY.
This is the grave of COOL, who died a fool.
This is the grave of COOL, who died a fool.
The teacher told me that her students were allowed to use these words only once per writing assignment. This got me thinking of words I tended to overuse and epitaphs I'd add.
Here lies IT.
We don't need you. Git.
We don't need you. Git.
Do you have a favorite (or anti-favorite) overused word? Add an epitaph for your word under comments below.
Peace, (Serenity, Tranquility),
Elena
