When you are looking for just the right word, you may want to consult a book of synonyms and antonyms such as Roget’s International Thesaurus (or its online equivalent). Look up (or click on) the adjective still, for example, and you will find synonyms such as tranquil, quiet, quiescent, reposeful, calm, pacific, halcyon, placid, and unruffled.
Unless your vocabulary is better than average, the list will contain words you’ve never heard of or with which you are only vaguely familiar. Whenever you are tempted to use one of these words, look it up in the dictionary first to avoid misusing it.
NOTE:On discovering the thesaurus, many writers use it for the wrong reasons, so a word of caution is in order. Do not turn to a thesaurus in search of exotic, fancy words—such as halcyon—with which to embellish your essays. Look instead for words that express your meaning exactly. Most of the time these words will be familiar to both you and your readers. The first synonym on the list—tranquil—was probably the word you were looking for all along.