Chapter 8 – Effective Language

 

Differences between written language and spoken language

            The difference between listening and reading.

                        Readers set their own pace

                        Listeners must keep up with the speaker

 

            Effective language for speaking must be immediately clear

 

Making spoken language clear

            Keep wording short and simple

                        Consider the vocabulary of your audience

            Use concrete language

Concrete Words – Words that enable the listener to perceive the idea by means of the senses (Example – girl, shaking)

Abstract – Words that cannot be perceived directly through the senses (Example – Beautiful, nervous)

 

Use specific words – Words which refer to a limited class of objects

                                    (Example – Galaxies – Solar system – Planets – Mars)

 

Restate Main Ideas

            Restatement – Saying again in a different way

 

Remove Unnecessary words

Economy of Language – the use of as few words as necessary to state ideas clearly

 

Creating Levels of Emphasis

            Variety

Contrast – A language device used to point out differences (Example – “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”)  Requires careful thought and planning

Rhetorical Questions – Questions that are not meant to be answered out loud.

Repetition Highlights important points.

            Repetition – Stating the same idea several times using the same words.

Parallelism – Beginning or ending sentences with the same single word or short phrase.

 

Climax emphasizes the last item in a series

Climax Ordering – Moving from less significant to more significant, ending with the most important item.

 

Using Figures of Speech

Figures of Speech – Phrases and sentences that make a point by stating something that is not to be taken literally.

Simile – A brief comparison of two basically unlike things using the word like or as.

Metaphor – A direct comparison, omitting the words like or as.

Analogy – An extended comparison, proving the truth of something by showing its similarity to something else.

Personification – A figure of speech by which a speaker gives human qualities to inanimate objects, ideas, or non-human creatures.

Hyperbole – Intentionally exaggerating in order to emphasize a point.

Understatement – To highlight something by playing down its importance or making what is significant sound insignificant.

Irony – A figure of speech in which the literal meaning expressed is the opposite of the meaning intended.

 

Avoiding Common Problems

 

            Watch out for unintentional connotations

 

            Use euphemisms carefully

Euphemism – Gentle or softened expressions for harsh or unpleasant realities.

 

Avoid Clichιs

Clichι – Expressions that at one time expressed a truth or idea clearly and briefly, but have become so overused as to be almost meaningless – Lack of originality.

 

Don’t Stereotype

Stereotyping – Assigning qualities to people or objects because they are part of a general group, without considering their individual differences.

 

Use Slang Sparingly

Slang – Consists of contemporary words and phrases that come in and go out of style rapidly.