📚 Topic Summary
Clichés are overused phrases that have lost their original impact due to excessive use. They were once clever or insightful, but now they're predictable and uninspired. Overused phrases are similar; they might not be as widely recognized as clichés, but they lack originality and can make your writing sound lazy. Identifying and avoiding these phrases is crucial for clear, engaging, and impactful communication, especially for ESL learners aiming for fluency and nuance.
🧠 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the term with its definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Cliché |
a. Lacking originality or freshness |
| 2. Overused Phrase |
b. To avoid or stay away from something |
| 3. Original |
c. A phrase that has been used so often that it is no longer interesting or effective |
| 4. Uninspired |
d. The quality of being new and inventive |
| 5. Avoid |
e. A phrase that has been used a lot, can be similar to a cliché, but not as widely known |
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the paragraph using the words from Part A:
Using a ______ in your writing can make it sound ______. Instead of relying on these tired expressions, try to be more ______ and ______ cliches if you want your writing to stand out. Even a simple ______ will communicate your point better than a stale one.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Think about a time you heard or read a cliché. How did it make you feel? How could the speaker or writer have expressed the same idea in a more original way?