Writing non-fiction: words to dazzle

1. The following glossary contains words that may add more dazzle to your own non-
fiction writing. The words and definitions have been mixed up. Link the word to
the correct definition.

accolade Clearly or outrageously bad.

camaraderie To waver between different opinions, to be indecisive.

conundrum Harsh and spiteful in tone.

drivel A mark of acknowledgement; an honour.

evasive Characterised by strong feeling.

fervent Peaceful, beautiful, pleasing.

flagrant To consider something in great detail.

idyllic Stormy.

impeccable Deliberately vague.

invariably Showing enthusiastic support for a person or cause.

perfunctory Faultless, perfect.

ruminate Done without much care or attention.

tempestuous Weak or slight and likely to change.

tenuous In every case, always.

vacillate Worthless information.

Trust between people who share experiences or ideas, a

vitriolic
spirit of friendship.

zealous A difficult problem.

2. Pick six of the words and write a sentence for each.

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 Writing non-fiction: words to dazzle
Answers and sample sentences

accolade a mark of acknowledgement; an honour.

Those who work to improve our communities deserve the highest accolades.

trust between people who share experiences or ideas, a spirit of

camaraderie
friendship.

A sense of camaraderie has emerged amongst people who agree with this viewpoint.

conundrum a difficult problem

Deciding whether to fly abroad is a conundrum; it is not good for the planet but it is
great fun.

drivel worthless information.

Such ideas are absolute drivel.

evasive deliberately vague.

Although people are evasive about taking responsibility, they will eventually have to
take a stand.

fervent characterised by strong feeling.

This idea has a number of fervent supporters.

flagrant clearly or outrageously bad.

Some people have a flagrant disregard for traffic controls.

idyllic peaceful, beautiful, pleasing.

The castle is in an idyllic location overlooking the English channel.

impeccable faultless, perfect.

These are impeccable ideals but we live in an imperfect world.

invariably in every case, always

It is invariably the case that projects such as this will fail through lack of support.

perfunctory done without much care or attention.

People have a perfunctory attitude to the environment.

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 Writing non-fiction: words to dazzle

ruminate to consider something in great detail.

People should ruminate about this issue before they vote for it.

tempestuous stormy

This is an issue which leads to tempestuous arguments.

tenuous weak or slight and likely to change.

To claim that school uniform is more affordable is a tenuous argument.

vacillate to waver between different opinions, to be indecisive

My sister vacillates about going to college; I know she will make the best decision in
the end.

vitriolic harsh and spiteful in tone

The election involved speeches which reached vitriolic levels.

zealous showing enthusiastic support for a person or cause

He is a zealous supporter of animal rights.

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