1. Using Effective Language
Chapter 12
Using Effective Language

2. What Is Effective Language?
What does it mean if something is effective?

3. Levels of Usage What are levels of usage? Very formal Very informal
The most widely used variety of English is called standard American English.

4. Comparing Good Speaking to Good Writing
The language in a speech differs from the language in a written essay.
Spoken language:
Relies on fewer words
Uses shorter, more familiar words
Uses more personal pronouns
Uses repetition of words and phrases to aid memory

5. Choosing the Right Words
When choosing words to use in your speech, you must think of clarity.
Words in a speech need to be…
Simple
Precise
Specific

6. Choosing the Right Words – Simple Words
Simple Words are familiar words, usually of one or two syllables.
Sometimes we try to use “fancy” words to sound more intelligent.
“There are too many people who use five dollar words to express fifty cent sentiments.”
Pedagogy = Teaching
Supererogatory = unnecessary

7. Choosing the Right Words – Precise Words
Precise words express your thoughts and feelings accurately, or exactly (adjectives/adverbs).
Vague: We had a bad club meeting yesterday.
Bad? How?
Precise: We had a disorganized club meeting yesterday.

8. Choosing the Right Words
Specific Words identify items within a category (nouns).
Vague: Carmen drove by in her vehicle.
Specific: Carmen drove by on her Moped.

9. Using Language Expressively
Sometimes ideas are clear, but they lack force.
Use vividness with your words to make them memorable.
Sensory words
Figurative language
Emphasis
Tone

10. Using Language Expressively – Sensory Words
Sensory words appeal to one or more of the five senses.
Boring: Lena walked out of the room.
Vivid: Lena ___________ out of the room.
Boring: The noise was loud.
Vivid: The ___________ was _________.

11. Using Language Expressively – Figurative Language
Figurative Language consists of figures of speech – words and phrases that are not literally true, but create a lively understanding of a text.
Simile
Metaphor
Exaggeration (Hyperbole)
Understatement
Irony

12. Using Language Expressively – Figurative Language
Simile – comparison using “like” or “as”
He acts just like a pig!
Metaphor – comparison without using “like” or “as”
He is such a pig!

13. Using Language Expressively – Figurative Language
Exaggeration (Hyperbole) emphasizes or enlarges a description of actions, emotions, or other qualities.
Your mom is so ugly, when she walked into the haunted house, she came out with a job application.
My car broke down, and I had to walk 500 miles to work!

14. Using Language Expressively – Figurative Language
Understatement is the opposite of exaggeration. Ideas or events are diminished.
Ex: Your car explodes, and you call your friend and say, “I’m having a little bit of car trouble.”

15. Using Language Expressively – Figurative Language
Irony is the use of words to imply something different from what is actually meant.
Ex: You find a wad of money and say, “Oh look! Someone conveniently left this for me!”
Sarcasm is irony that is cutting or bitter.
Ex: This class is great! It puts me to sleep everyday!

16. Using Language Expressively - Emphasis
Emphasis is force or special attention given to a particular word or point.
We can show emphasis by:
Using repetition
Using announcement

17. Using Language Expressively - Tone
By using tone, speakers express their attitudes toward their subjects and audiences.
Vocal tone
What kind of tone would you have if you were trying to persuade people to stop donating money to a particular group?
Choice of Language
Formal or Informal

18. Adjusting Your Vocabulary to Suit Your Audience
Review: You must adapt or adjust your audience.
Review: Involve your audience by:
Relating to their experience
Using personal pronouns
Asking rhetorical questions

19. Avoiding Common Language Problems
Several common problems with language can make your speech less interesting.
Jargon
Cliché
Euphemism
Slang
Connotative words

20. Avoiding Common Language Problems
Jargon is language that is used specifically by people within a particular group or field.
Scalpel
Forceps
Clichés are expressions that have been used to often that they have lost their effect.
Cold as ice
Run like the wind

21. Avoiding Common Language Problems
Euphemisms are words or phrases that are used in place of words that are thought to be unpleasant.
Euphemism
Direct Term
Sanitary Engineer
Garbage Collector
Passed
Away
Died
Powder Room
Bathroom

22. Avoiding Common Language Problems
Slang is highly informal language that is formed by creating new words or giving common words new meanings.
Common
Slang
Bad
Grill
Fly

23. Avoiding Common Language Problems
Connotations are emotions and associations that are suggested by certain words.
Emotions and associations are usually negative.
Positive/
Neutral
Negative
Thrifty
Greedy
Ran
Scurried
Confident
Conceited

24. Chapter 12 Review Page 312 Review Questions Discussion Question
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
Discussion Question 4