Chapter Sixteen

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Chapter Sixteen
Using Language to Style the Speech
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Chapter Sixteen

• Table of Contents
• Writing for the Ear
• Choose Language that Encourages Shared Meaning
• Choose Language that Builds Credibility
• Choose Language that Creates a Lasting Impression

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Using Language to Style the Speech

• Substance the ideas in the topic and purpose,
  and the supporting materials used to illustrate
  them.
• Style the choice of words and sentences that
  comprise the language of your speech.

4
Writing for the Ear

• Written language and oral language are different.
• Listeners have only one chance to get the message.

5
Writing for the Ear

• Speeches must use familiar and easy-to-follow
  words
• Speeches are more interactive than written
  language.

6
Choose Language that Encourages Shared Meaning

• Speech language should be culturally sensitive,
  unbiased, simple, concise, concrete, and vivid.

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Choose Language that Encourages Shared Meaning

• Use Culturally Sensitive and Unbiased Language
• Strive for Simplicity
• Aim for Conciseness
• Choose Concrete Words
• Use Vivid Imagery

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Choose Language that Encourages Shared
MeaningUse Culturally Sensitive and Unbiased
Language

• Cultural Sensitivity a conscious attempt to be
  considerate of cultural beliefs, norms, or
  traditions

9
Choose Language that Encourages Shared
MeaningUse Culturally Sensitive and Unbiased
Language

• Biased Language rely on unfounded assumptions,
  negative descriptions, or stereotypes
• Sexist Pronouns restrict or stereotype gender

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Choose Language that Encourages Shared
MeaningStrive for Simplicity

• Say what you mean in short, clear sentences.
• Jargon specialized language of a given
  profession.
• Avoid using jargon unless the audience consists
  of specialized professionals.

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Choose Language that Encourages Shared
MeaningAim for Conciseness

• Use fewer words, rather than more, to aid
  listener comprehension.

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Choose Language that Encourages Shared
MeaningChoose Concrete Words

• Concrete Language words that are specific,
  tangible, and definite
• Abstract Language phrasing that is general and
  nonspecific

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Choose Language that Encourages Shared
MeaningUse Vivid Imagery

• Select adverbs and adjectives to color
  descriptions
• Appeal to the listeners senses of smell, taste,
  sight, hearing, and touch.

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Choose Language that Encourages Shared
MeaningUse Vivid Imagery

• Use Figures of Speech
• Simile an explicit comparison of one thing to
  another, using like or as
• Metaphor a direct comparison of two things
• Analogy an extended metaphor or simile that
  compares an unfamiliar concept to a more familiar
  one

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Choose Language that Builds Credibility

• Proper language usage builds trust and
  credibility.

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Choose Language that Builds Credibility

• Use Appropriate Language
• Use Language Accurately
• Choose Words that Convey Confidence and
  Conviction

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Choose Language that Builds CredibilityUse
Appropriate Language

• The language should be appropriate to the
  occasion, audience, and subject matter.
• Uphold the rules of standard English.

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Choose Language that Builds CredibilityUse
Language Accurately

• Language must be accurate.
• Avoid malapropism inadvertent use of a word or
  phrase in place of one that sounds like it.

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Choose Language that Builds CredibilityUse
Language Accurately

• Denotative meanings the literal, or dictionary,
  definition of a word
• Connotative meanings the special associations
  that people bring to bear upon a word

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Choose Language that Builds CredibilityChoose
Words that Convey Confidence and Conviction

• Voice the feature of verbs that indicates the
  subjects relationship to the action.
• Use an active voice.
• Use personal pronouns such as I, me, and my.

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Choose Language That Creates a Lasting Impression

• Oral language that is artfully arranged and
  infused with rhythm leaves a lasting impression.

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Choose Language That Creates a Lasting Impression

• Repetition
• Alliteration

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Choose Language That Creates a Lasting
ImpressionRepetition

• Repetition involves repeating key words or
  phrases to create a rhythm.
• Alliteration is the repetition of the same sounds
  in two or more neighboring words or syllables.

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Parallelism

• Parallelism is the arrangement of words, phrases,
  or sentences in a similar form.
• For example, arranging your material
  chronologically.