Visit this online dictionary and examine the definition of flatter. Based on the definition, why is flatter not the best word in the sentence below? "I have always admired the work of the children who fought for civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s, so I wanted to write a poem that would flatter them."

Answer and Explanation:

The word "flatter" refers to false praise, that is, it refers to the act of giving a praise to someone who does not deserve it, because he has nothing to be praised. Thus, the word "flatter" as used in the sentence shown in the question above is incorrect. This is because the narrator of the sentence, wishes to praise the children who fought for civil rights, because the narrator, in fact, believes that these children deserve the praise, for the admirable behavior that they showed.

do you have a copy of the poem?