[Rushmore]

[ QUOTE ]
your prof was a nit. sometimes, when writing, an author is forced to use a term many times in a short span. those writers that utilize synonyms instead of repeating the same word make far more intresting reading.

vs:

sometimes, when writing, a writer is forced to use a word more than once. those writers that use the same word aren't using good writing.

utilize=use, term=word, authors=writers, many times=repeating... see? yuck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Although you are bolstering my point (for which I am very grateful), even here we find distinctions:

term=word...............not all words are terms.
many times=repeating....if something is repeated once, then the former would be utterly incorrect.

My point is that there are differences, subtle as they may be.

Your point is also very legitimate. Phonetically, we seems to find a bit of verbal variation to be more aurally palatable (or at least less monotonous), which is definitely a worthy concern when writing.

Having descended into utter off-topicality, I will now cease and desist.