One particular language-related skill is of paramount importance in developing superior speaking and writing proficiency as well as in critical and creative thinking.

In 4S-AEP, that skill is referred to as the Art of the Alternative.

It involves the practice of not being stereotyped or traditionalized in one’s thinking, not to be satisfied with the words one usually uses but instead, to always consider superior or better alternatives particularly when describing events or situations, and when searching for solutions to problematic circumstances.

By applying the Art of the Alternative in problem-solving tasks, one becomes a creative thinker, one who is unrestricted in the breadth or depth of his considerations. He is never satisfied with the “common” or the “obvious” and is constantly in search of better and different alternatives that are outside the mainstream thinking process.

Mastering the Art of the Alternative begins with using alternative words and constructions in everyday speech or writing. It involves choosing words that are superior to those normally used by most people in daily conversation. It requires self-discipline, introspection, self-correction and a desire to be different.

For example, instead of describing a meal as “nice” the creative thinker might use superior descriptive words such as “delicious,” “mouth-watering,” or “scrumptious.”

Instead of describing an experience as “good,” it can be alternatively described as “exciting,” “rewarding,” or “inspirational”.

MORE MEANING

Where constructions are involved, applying the Art of the Alternative adds to meaning and understanding.

For example, where one might normally say: “English is now the international language of communication,”

by applying the Art of the Alternative and by transforming the sentence, one could state the same thought in a more expansive, expressive way by saying: ‘’Internationally, English is now the primary language of communication in the media, trade, tourism, politics and education.”

In relation to problem-solving, it necessitates the adoption of the attitude that there could always be better or superior alternatives to what is generally perceived to be the right answer to a problem, especially when all the facts are carefully pondered upon and due weight given to all relevant aspects.

Language-wise, in the areas of speaking and writing, the Art of the Alternative demands that one gradually develops a personal lexicon or bank of words that - like the painter – enables them to presents a “word picture” of an event, a relationship, an emotion, a feeling, an experience, an occasion, etc. in the most interesting, understandable and appropriate way.

EXERCISES IN THE ART OF THE ALTERNATIVE:

A. Your task is to choose a superior descriptive word to describe these noun forms.

1)……………… accident
2) ………………adventure
3)……………… assistant
4) ………………design
5) ………………employee
6) ……………….employer
7) ……………….event
8) ……………… experience
9)……………… .food
10) ..…………… friend
11) ………………location
12) ………………moment
13) ……………… occupation
14) ……………… opportunity
15) ……………… outing
16) ……………… position
17) ……………… question
18)……………… reason
19) ……………… situation
20) ……………… strategy
21) ……………… test
22) ……………… winner
23) ……………… youth
24) ………… undertaking

SOME POSSIBLE DESCRIPTIVE WORDS

Any thesaurus will provide many more!

1) serious; deadly; industrial
2) exciting; challenging; boring
3) capable; energetic; aging
4) clever; unique; innovative
5) trustworthy; lazy; dependable
6) tough; miserly; generous
7) annual; planned; political
8) memorable; disastrous; personal
9) delicious; edible; tasty
10) genuine; honest; close
11) mysterious; perfect; selected
12) precious; difficult; dreaded
13) professional; previous; preferred
14) golden; lost; future
15) summer; season; enjoyable
16) prominent; demoted; lesser
17) complex; direct; closed
18) hidden; discerned; historic
19) testing; confused; common
20) designed; proven; staged
21) thorough; broad; in-depth
22) humbly; deserved; repeated
23) brazen; inquisitive; brash
24) clear; contractual; specific

(The author Keith W. Wright is a former politician, an educator and the director of the Australian International Language Academy. E-mail questions to youth@mb.com.ph).