Rhetoric and Semantics

Words, words, words…

Working as a freelance writer, I am constantly bombarded by the power of the written word. Over the course of the day, I’ll read the views and perspectives of tons of other writers. At the same time, I share my world views and opinions with so many people too. Through this blog, my Twitter account, and the various sites that feature my writing, you have the opportunity to delve a little deeper into how I see the world around me.

Words are a very powerful tool. It is absolutely true that the pen (or computer keyboard as the case may be) is much more powerful than the sword. The pen can be used to launch thousands of swords into battle, just as a few pen strokes can be enough to bring the same battle to a screeching halt. Having majored in psychology, I am inherently interested in how people are influenced and affected by various things. And words could prove to be the most influential.

Over the course of a freelance writing career, you may come across instances where two seemingly identical statements could have drastically different meanings. As such, the seemingly identical statements may influence the reader in very different ways. Let’s have a look at a few examples of this phenomenon.

Client vs. Customer vs. Business Associate

What do you call the people who approach you for freelance writing services? I personally refer to them as clients, because I offer a professional service that is no different than that of a lawyer or an accountant. When you use the term “customer”, you are implying that the value of the person does not extend beyond being a walking wallet. The term “business associate” implies that you are working together on a common project where the profits and rewards will be shared. You could use “associate”, but it may muddle the nature of the freelancer-client relationship.

How much do you charge for…? vs. How much does it cost for…?

The response to the first question would begin with, “I charge $X for…” whereas the response to the latter would begin with, “It costs $X for…” Did you catch the difference? With the first question, the value is placed on the person completing the project and it opens up the discussion for some serious negotiation. With the second question, the value is placed on the project itself and it creates a firmer sense of price. You don’t go into a cafe and negotiate the price for a cup of coffee. The price is what it is, and the price is not dictated by the person who serves it to you from behind the counter; it’s dictated by the value of the cup of coffee.

Writer vs. Author vs. Journalist

All three of these people write words for profit, so what’s the difference? For me, the term “writer” is more of an umbrella term and it can encompass all sorts of more specific professions. An author, by contrast, is generally associated with people who write (and publish) physical books, and a journalist is more likely to write for a newspaper or a magazine of some kind. To avoid being pigeon-holed, I choose to call myself a freelance writer.

Word Choice is Everything

As you can see, word choice can make a world of difference, even if the two terms are seemingly identical. The next time you piece together a blog post, write an article for a client, or just chat with a business associate, choose your words carefully. You wouldn’t want them to be interpreted the wrong way.