Unit 4 Speak Up- Chapter 12 Language and Style 17 PDF

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Chapter 12- Language and Style “Choose your words carefully” Word choice/diction- choosing the right words in order to properly convey what you want. An average speech may contain hundreds or even thousands of words. And every one of them matters. Selected carefully, your words can help you connect with your audience and get your message across clearly. Used thoughtlessly , they can confuse, offend, bore or annoy your listeners, preventing them from absorbing your message. The Importance of Language and Word Choice You make thousands of word choices every day. They Can inform, inspire and uplift others, but they can also confuse people and can hurt others. Your word choice reflects on you as a speaker. Your words and phrases convey your ethos to your listeners because they say something about you as a person. Along with using appropriate and considerate language, you can explain technical terms and use helpful audiovisual aids (for clarity) and effectively incorporate such terms into your speech (to enhance credibility). By using the correct technical terminology, you can show authority and gain credibility in the eyes off the audience. And by explaining these terms through devices such as analogies, you can make the message accessible without coming across as condescending the listeners. Differences Between Oral and Written Language Words and sentences can come across differently when you hear them spoken aloud, as opposed to when you read them to yourself. In a public speaking context, that difference between spoken and written language is usually even more pronounced. It is critical to consider these three key differences between oral and written language: ● Oral Language is More Adaptive- Writers seldom know exactly who will read their words, or in what context; the best they can do is to take an educated guesses and make language choices accordingly. When you speak before a live audience, you can get immediate feedback that isn't able to be noted by a writer. You can observe your audience members during your presentation, interact with them, and respond to the way they are receiving your message. During a speech, interaction and audience feedback is instantaneous, and you can adapt to the situation, such as extending or simplifying and explanation if listeners seemed confused or choosing clearer or simpler language. ● Oral Language Tends to be Less Formal- Writers get to put their words on paper and can go back and make changes, and will use precise word choice or grammar. In most speech situation, language choices tend toward a somewhat less formal style. Because listeners lack the chance to go back and reread your words, you will usually want to use shorter and less complicated sentences. Effective oral language is also often simpler and less technically precise than written language. Consider incorporating appropriate colloquialisms, conversational tone and even sentence fragments into your speeches. ● Oral Language Incorporates Repetition- Teaches and coaches advise their students to avoid repeating themselves or being redundant by covering the same ground more than once. In speeches, repetition can be an especially effective tool because your listeners can't go back and revisit your points, your words are there and then suddenly

they are gone. Because audience members won't take notes there is nothing for listeners to rely upon except their own memory of your words. As a speaker you can help your listeners remember your message by intentionally repeating keywords and phrases throughout a presentation. If an audience hears certain words often enough, they will remember them. Denotative and Connotative Meaning You need to be aware that words can have two very different kinds of meaning. You can select your language more strategically to exert the impact you want. ● Denotative Meaning- The denotative meaning of a word is its exact, literal dictionary definition.When you use a word that has one dictionary definition, you can pretty well expect that your audience will understand what you mean. If cases of multiple definitions you may need to take steps to avoid confusion. Your listeners may wonder what you're referencing a certain thing rather than its other meaning. In this case, you may want to avoid the risk of confusing your audience by saying a better more literal word choice. ● Connotative Meaning- Many words are also connotative meanings (associations that come to mind when people hear or read the word). A words connotative meanings may bear little or even no resemblance to its denotative meaning. By using words in your speeches deliberately for their connotative meanings, you can make a powerful impression of your audience. Using a good connotative meaning can make your point get the wrong feeling across. Careless use of word that has a very different denotative and connotative meanings can backfire and confuse your audience. Presenting Your Message Clearly You can't get your message across to your audience unless you present it clearly. To make your message as clear as possible, use language that's understandable, concrete, proper, and concise. ● Understandable Language- Understandable language consists of words that your listeners find recognizable. In most situations the best ways to ensure that you're using understandable language are to choose words that reflect your audiences language skills and to avoid technical terms beyond your listeners comprehension. You need to analyze your audience to determine the language your listeners will recognize. Audience members educational background can suggest their general vocabulary level. Demographic information and stories about listener's life experiences can help you predict what language the audience will understand. Also take care in using jargon ( specialize or technical words or phrases familiar to people in a specific field or group, including technical terms as well as abbreviations, acronyms, slang and other esoteric expressions). How to know whether or not to include jargon: ● If you can say something in plain language do so. ● If you do use jargon, explain it. By using jargon and explaining it, you gain credibility in your subject and help your audience understand the language. ● Concrete Words- Whenever possible strive to use concrete words instead of abstract ones. Concrete words are specific and suggest exactly what you mean. Abstract words

are general and can be confusing and ambiguous for your audience. Specific terms give concrete meaning. If information is relevant to the presentation, then give more details. Some situations clearly call for a more general language style. This is the difference between speaking from “five thousand feet as opposed to fifty feet”. Sometimes you will want to describe a concept or theory from a much bigger perspective and thus give the audience the big picture ot the grand vision invariably using more general language. ● Proper Use of Words- The audiences understanding of your message will improve if you use words that correctly express the point you want to make. Incorrect word choice can confuse listeners or undermine your credibility. Using the word improperly could also raise serious questions about the speakers credibility among audience members who experienced or are familiar with your topic. Failure to use words correctly can also produce unintended humourus results. The audience can lose respect for the speaker and doubt their credibility. ● Concise Language- Because audience members cannot reread or rehear portions of your speech, they have only one chance to grasp your ideas. Make sure that each of your sentences expresses just one thought. Long sentences in speeches are hard to follow. Aim to be concise. When you outline your speech, focus on making your points in the fewest words possible. Add words or phrase occasionally to incorporate color, eloquence, wit or humor. But ,make certain you have a good reason to insert it. The term for unnecessary words in a presentation is verbal cluster. These extraneous words make it hard for the audience to follow the message. Expressing Your Ideas Effectively Words have great power to move an audience especially when you use them vividly. Empower our language through the use of repetition, hypothetical examples, personal anecdotes, vivid language and similes and metaphors. ● Repetition- Repetition, saying a specific word, phrase or statement more than once helps you grab your audiences attention and leave listeners with enduring memories of your speech. This use of repetition draws listeners attention to whatever you are repeating. To get the most from repetitive, use it sparingly. If you repeat to many statements in your speech, your listeners won't be able to discern the really important points in your presentation . You can also use repetition by returning to a point later in a speech to provide a gentle reminder to your audience. You may want to repeat a point through, rewording it, making the point again but in different words. Rewording is useful when the original point could be confusing, because it gives your audience another option for grasping what you mean. Works particularly well in those parts of your speech where you enumerate a list or make a technical statement that might be difficult for your audience to follow. ● Hypothetical Examples- When technically complicated messages as well as policy statements and points in a speech where you particularly want to focus your audiences attention, consider using hypothetical examples. These are imagined examples or scenarios that you invite your audience to think about. Can help your listeners follow a complicated point that you present immediately afterward. ● Personal Anecdotes- Illustrating a concept with personal anecdotes (brief stories) can help you further build credibility and reassure your listeners that you're not judging them.

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Speaking of experience provides credibility and demonstrate that you take your subject serious. Helps to avoid offending audience members who may have struggled with similar situation. You can achieve similar effects with anecdotes about events that your listeners may have experiences personally. Vivid Language- Vivid language grabs the attention of your audience with words and phrases that appeal to all the senses (touch, hearing, taste, smell, and sight). Painting A more graphic picture of the scene with stronger imagery (mental impressions) for the audience. To use vivid language ,select descriptive words that evoke pictures, smells, textures, sounds, and flavors in your listeners minds. But use such language sparingly because if you overuse it , you may lose its effect. Similes and Metaphors- Similes and metaphors suggest similarities between objects that are not alike. Similes make explicit comparisons and containing words such as like or as . Metaphors make implicit comparisons. They suggest connections between objects that are not alike by identifying one object with the other . The comparisons are not meant to be taken literally. They can add color, vividness, and imagery to your speech. But when your are using these devices, be sure the comparison makes sense. Avoid mixing comparison, using more than one metaphor or simile at a time . otherwise your might produce some unintentional funny statement.s When used properly, metaphors and similes can help your audience understand one idea through its reference to another. Metaphors can also help listeners experience a new idea “ in terms that resonate with their past experience”.

Choosing Respectful and Unbiased Language When you use respectful language in your speeches, (words , phrases, and expressions that are courteous and don't reflect biased language other cultures or individuals) , you deliver a far more effective presentation. Your audience members will remain open to your ideas and view you as trustworthy and fair. Then you will gain immense personal credibility. By contrast, using biased language (word choice that suggests prejudice or preconceptions about other people) erodes your credibility and distracts your audience from listening to your message. Avoid language that suggests you're making judgements about your listeners or someone elses race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, religion, or mental or physical ability. ● Avoid Negative Stereotypes- Negative stereotypes are critical generalizations about characteristics that members of a group can't change and about characteristics central to a person's identity, such as religious beliefs. Negative stereotypes rest on false assumption that characteristics shared by some members of a group are shared by all members of the group. Stereotyping can come into play when speakers make claims beyond the facts that their evidence proves by generalizing about their topic. Take special care to use arguments that avoid negative stereotyping with topics that are loaded with potential for controversy. ● Use Gender-Neutral References- Using gender neutral references can be challenging at times. Occasional use of he or she is fine , but frequent use could get tedious for your audience. Using plurals where appropriate can help work around gender . Or if a singular pronoun is appropriate in your speech, alternate the use of she and he from paragraph to paragraph j or from example to example;. Avoid gender-specific nouns or

noun phrases, like chairman, cleaning lady. Instead look for gender neutral terms (words that do not suggest a specific gender) . ● Make Appropriate References to Ethnic Groups- To show respect to your audience, use the noun or phrase prefered by a particular ethnic group when you are referring to a group. Sometimes people from a group may use more than one name to refer to themselves. If you are uncertain about which term to use in such a case ,ask friends or classmates who are members of that group which name they prefer. When ethnicity is relevant to your audience, be sure to refer to ethnic groups correctly. Also pay attention to language when it comes to masculine vs feminine forms as well. Effectiveness to such distinctions during a speech will pay big dividends in the form of appreciation from your listeners. ● Steer CLear of Unnecessary References to Ethnicity, Gender, Sexuality or Religion- When a person's ethnicity, religion, sexualtiy, or gender is not relevant to a point you are making, there's no need to mention it in your speech. Including it can only hurt your credibility. ● A Note on Appropriate Speech and Political Correctness- The idea behind appropriate speech is that words have tremendous power to influences the ways that people think or, feel about, and treat each other, thus it is important to avoid, as often as possible, the words that could cause harm or pain to others, especially in terms of a person's or a group's identity. some believe that efforts to encourage appropriate speech have gone to far and that these guidelines limit people's precious rights to freedom of expression by establishing the rules of political correctness. best way to avoid the debate over appropriate language and political correctness entirely is to simply support your position on an issue, no matter what it is, with credible evidence and logical reasoning. otherwise your listeners will likely perceive you as prejudiced. ____________________________________________________________________________ __ Chapter 17: Methods of Persuasion “Persuasion happens when credible speakers provide good reasons and touch audience emotions.” To build the most persuasive case possible, use three powerful tools : ethos ( demonstrating credibility), logos (presenting sound reasoning for her claims, and pathos(evoking intense emotion in her audience. ) By skillfully blending ethos, logos and pathos, you can capture your listeners attention. Ethos: Your Credibility as a Speaker People have recognized that a speaker with Ethos ( credibility) has far more persuasive power than one without. A credible speaker is seens as knowledgeable, honest, and genuinely interested in doing your audiences trust and persuade them to embrace your viewpoint. ● Understanding the Elements of Credibility- Modern communication scholars use the term competence to refer to practical wisdom and trustworthiness instead of the word virtue. When audience members perceive a speaker as competent( knowledgeable and experience) about his or her subject as well as trustworthy (honest and fair) , they find it easier to believe the speakers claims. Aristotle urged public speakers to exhibit goodwill

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toward their audiences (goodwill: by wanting what is best for their listeners rather than what would most benefit themselves). According to contemporary researchers, speakers who demonstrate goodwill : ● Understand their listeners’ need and feelings ● empathize with their audiences’ views( even if they don’t share them) ● respond quickly to others’ communication Building Your Credibility- When you’re just starting out as a public speaker, your audience members may not immediately recognize your credibility. ● Build credibility with your introduction- The introduction to your speech provides crucial opportunity to build your credibility. The introduction is where you can outline your experience and education as well as the research you've conducted on your topic. All of this demonstrates your competence. You can also connect with your listeners by explaining how your topic relates to them, which shows you have their best interest at heart. ● Build credibility through word choice- The words you select for your speech can also demonstrate your understanding of your listeners and thus your goodwill toward them. Use respectful language to refer to people who disagree with you. ● build credibility through strong evidence, organization, and delivery- When you provide evidence for your claims, you indicate that you have carefully researched your topic, which communicates your competence. When you present a wellorganized speech, you show that you care about helping your listeners follow your ideas, and that conveys goodwill. And when you practice effective delivery skills while making your presentation, you're more likely to come across as trustworthy. Avoiding Loss of Your Credibility- You have many strategies at hand for enhancing your credibility during a speech. Anytime you say something that shows a lack of competence, trustworthiness, or good will, you damage your credibility. Once a speaker's credibility has come into question, its very difficult to repair the damage. Thus, before giving a speech, examine the language you intend to use, and make sure that it communicates competence, trustworthiness, and goodwill. You also need to deliver a solid set of facts to prove the claims you’re making.

Logos: The Evidence and Reasoning Behind your Message Reliable facts can further strengthen your credibility and help your audience members make well informed decisions, key effects of ethical public speaking. Sound reasoning that supports your claims is also essential if you hope to persuade audience members to change their beliefs or behaviors. When you present trustworthy facts to back your claims and clearly show how those facts have led you to those claims, you use logos effectively. To Convince your audience that you know what your talking about, you'll need to supply proof, or evidence, of your claim. To further strengthen your logos, you'll have to show that the conclusions you've drawn from the

evidence makes sense. Are you using fallacious ( faulty) reasoning to twist or distort the facts in your favor? ● Using Evidence- When your audience analysis suggests that listeners may not accept a claim you want to make you'll need to supply proof. One of the best ways to do that is to research evidence from credible sources and then present that evidence in your speech. ■ Identify Your Sources and Their Qualifications- Indicate who your source is for each piece of evidence you present, along with his or her qualifications, before providing the evidence during your speech. Concrete documentation strengthens your credibility. To ensure your sources credibility, use facts provided by unbiased experts. ■ Give Listeners New Evidence-...