Details: One Word Can Make a Big Difference

Words matter. When it comes to public relations writing, one word can make a big difference. One word can change the meaning or impact of a sentence. A poorly chosen word can undermine your message. In some situations, a poorly chosen word can have legal implications.

A story in the news today offers an interesting example. As those who follow politics know, former U.S. Senator John Edwards (D-NC) announced today that he is suspending his campaign for the Democratic nomination for president.

Notice the word "suspending." In the minds of many of us, that would seem to be the same as withdrawing. However, his word choice has important implications.

According to a post on Under the Dome (The News & Observer's political blog), a top Democratic Party official said that "candidates who withdraw from the race at this point lose some of their delegates to the national convention, while those who suspend keep them."

In a subsequent post, Dome reported that "an Edwards campaign spokesman said that the reason for the suspension was financial, since it allows him to continue paying staffers and take care of the books."

Regardless of the reason for his word choice, this situation demonstrates the importance of choosing your words wisely.