Public Speaking Effective Language Presented By Mrs. Bowden

Today we will: Show how the spoken word differs from the written word Know the value of language that creates word pictures Use sound devices appropriately Recognize language to avoid

Language can be confusing: Read the following phrases out loud: I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment. An invisible care came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle, and vanished I was on my way to the doctor, with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me to have an accident.

A good speaker: How successful a speaker is in communicating ideas will depend to a large extent on his or her ability to choose exactly the right words.

The Spoken Word vs. The Written Word: Accuracy of Language – using the right words Economy of Language – using the right amount of words Written words allow you time to consider each word – the spoken word does not that is why it is crucial to get these two concepts correct when speaking.

Concrete Words Vs Abstract Words: The spoken word requires us to use as many concrete words as possible. Consider the following list: Concrete word Abstract word Baseball recreational activity Car transportation Radio media

Take me out to the ball game Take me out to the crowd Identify Concrete Words: Take me out to the ball game Take me out to the crowd Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks I don’t care if I never get back If we replaced those words what vision would we have? More vivid or less vivid?

Denotation vs Connotation: Denotation refers to the basic meaning of the word Connotation refers to the meaning of the word that we associate with or evokes certain feelings or emotions. Examples: Mother Family Success Fairness Justice Abstract words can be interpreted differently by different audience members

Review the following quote by Eisenhower: Activity: Review the following quote by Eisenhower: “How can we appraise a proposal if the terms hurled at our ears can mean anything or nothing?” What language is he referring to? What other languages are hard to decipher?

Part 2 – Creating Word Pictures: Figures of Speech Comparison Imagery – Metaphor and Simile, Allusion Contrast Imagery – Sets up opposition for effect ex. Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” JFK 1961 inaugural speech Oxymoron (ex. Jumbo shrimp) Irony (sarcasm) Antithesis (ex. young or old)

Exaggeration Imagery: Hyperbole (ex. I laughed my head off) Understatement (ex. The winner of the dunk contest can jump a little) Personification – giving human characteristics to non human items

Part 3 Sound Devices: Alliteration – repetition of the initial sound of two or more words that are close together Assonance – repetition of vowel sounds Consonance – repetition of consonant sounds Parallel Structure – repeating words or groups of words

Part 4 – Language to Avoid: Jargon – industry specific language Sexist - unfairly groups women or men Shocking or Obscene – some street language or language too harsh for your audience

Part 4 – Language to Avoid: Choose your favorite (CLEAN) Song Lyrics – analyze and identify examples of the terms associated with this lesson Share your song with the class and see if they can identify any you haven’t