I got a question about how you can use a broader vocabulary to not sound so generic.

So in this video that's what we're going to cover, some ways to expand your vocabulary,

how to use that in your verses, and let's get into it.

So, a key component of expanding your vocabulary and sounding less generic is to use different

kinds of words.

There's really two parts that funnel into this, one is having a vocabulary that you

can pull from and the other part is being able to integrate that vocabulary into your

verse.

So let's start off with a couple ways to increase your vocabulary.

Number one, a really quick way that you can start expanding your vocabulary is to read

through the dictionary or get a random word generator and look up the definitions.

This is probably one of the most intense ways to increase your vocabulary it also can make

you run into some really obscure words but, you've probably heard a lot of rappers were

reading through the dictionary and that's how they got access to so many words.

So if that appeals to you, that's one way that you can start getting more words in your

vocabulary.

In addition to that, once you get the words, try to integrate them into a line.

You're not really going to understand them unless you start using them.

Number two - use a thesaurus to substitute out words.

So as you're going through one of your verses you may find that you've used one word like

ten times.

If you're sick of saying bad and want to say something else you can get a thesaurus and

sub those words out.

That way you lose some of the generic-ness and gain some creativity.

The only problem with that, you have to keep in mind that as you substitute these words

out your syllable counts need to match up, your rhymes, all that stuff still needs to

be coherent.

But that's one way you can use less generic words and start being more specific.

The third way you can really start expanding your vocabulary is to just read more.

It may seem pretty simple but the more you read the more words you're exposed to.

A lot of people like to circle words that they don't understand while they're reading

and then go back and look up the definitions.

Now, another part of this is you have to be reading material that is going to introduce

you to new words.

If you're reading the cat in the hat, you're never going to learn anything from those because

the language is so simple so make sure the materials you choose, if your goal is to increase

your vocabulary, is something challenging to you that's going to expose you to new and

different ideas.

Now if you feel confident in your vocabulary but you're just having a hard time integrating

that into your lines there's a couple more strategies that you can try.

One is to pick a topic and stick with it.

You know like, write a verse out around baseball for example and make sure every single component

has to do with baseball.

You'll quickly use up your generic lines and then have to dig deeper and get more specific

to continue writing the verse.

By sticking to a topic that's one great way to stop being so generic.

Finally, the last idea that I've got for you to integrate more specific vocabulary into

your verses is to stick with a certain rhyme scheme.

If you use just one rhyme scheme you're going to quickly run out of words that rhyme with

that, that you know off the top of your head.

It's going to force you to one - be more specific and two - get more rhymes and think a little

bit harder.

Don't be ashamed if you're having a hard time coming up with rhymes by like line 10 to use

a rhyming dictionary or look some stuff up.

That's a really quick way to get more vocabulary and increase your rhyme base at the same time.

Now, with all that being said, I want to point out a couple other things.

You don't necessarily have to use this crazy wicked vocabulary, especially if it bogs down

your verse to the point that it's incomprehensible.

This video and these strategies are mainly for people who feel like they're being too

generic but you don't have to use crazy words to get a message across or to have an impact.

Another thing that I run into with this is people who want to use this big words just

to sound smart.

That's really not the reason you should be expanding your vocabulary or trying to be

more specific.

You should be doing it to try to get your message across cleaner or improve your poetic

skills but if the goal is just 'I need to use incontrovertible in one of my verses'

there's so many difficulties with that, that it's not necessarily worth it to use it just

to use it.

I mean, in-con-tro-vert-i-ble is 6 syllables that's like half a line potentially.

When you could get the same message across with you know two or three syllables.

You've just got to keep this stuff in mind and don't just use vocabulary just to use

it.

The other thing is if you are going to start using more complex words make sure that you

know what they mean and you're using them correctly.

There's a bunch of songs out there with these really awkward wordings of lyrics where the

person is trying to sound smart or be fancy or whatever then if you sit for a minute and

try to think about what they're saying, it doesn't make any sense.

So, just to reiterate and clarify, you don't have to use this crazy vocabulary to come

off with a good verse.

Now what having a good vocabulary does for you is give you access to a lot more creativity.

You have a lot more rhymes, you just have a lot more language to describe how things

are working and if that's why you want to build your vocabulary, great.

If you want to do it just to sound smart....man....I mean.

But really, you don't have to go too crazy with the vocab to really get your message

across or to have a good verse.

Focus on pushing outside your comfort zone a little bit at a time and learning and if

this is a weakness for you focus on it, but besides that I wouldn't make it a huge priority.

That's all I've got for this video, as always feel free to leave your questions down in

the box below.

I've got a website for you to check out www.rapbetter.com I've also got my full 30 day course I'll have

a link to that in the description but beyond that keep practicing and I'll see you next

time.

Peace.

Don't forget to subscribe so you can stay up to date on the videos if you have any questions,

comments, concerns but them down in the comment box and I'll get to them as quick as possible.

See you guys.