Speech: Exploring Communication Chapter 8 Choosing Effective Language

What Are Words? They are the garments with which speakers cloth their ideas. They are courageous or timid, commanding or pleading, persuasive, or entertaining, hurtful or kind

What Are Speeches Made Of? Ideas, but unless those ideas are expressed in carefully selected language, they may be overlooked.

“The main reason for not writing out a speech and reading (or memorizing) it is that your focus then would be on your working rather than your audiences reactions. One unique advantage of oral communication is that you have direct eye contact with your audience and can watch, interpret, and adapt to its reaction” (O’Conner 213-214).

“A second reason for not writing out your speech is that oral style is quite different form written style. In fact, Charles Fox, noted British politician and orator of the nineteenth century, once said, ‘Does it read well? Then it’s not a good speech’” (O’Conner 214).

What Is The Difference Between Written and Spoken Language? Listener must keep up with speaker Quest. #5 Spoken language must be immediately clear to the listener. Quest. #7 Three differences between Spoken and Written Language: Written is permanent / Spoken short-lived Spoken is spontaneous / Written planned Written can be edited / Spoken unchanged

6. Spoken Language Possesses Five Specific Qualities. Makes greater use of short and simple words Tends to be more concrete, less abstract Usually specific Makes greater use of restatement Generally includes fewer unnecessary words.

1. Makes greater use of short and simple words Simple words are not always short words They are among the ordinary vocabulary of the audience Read last paragraph on page 216 in SEC

2. (10) Use Concrete Words Def.: words or phrases that let the listener “see” the idea as well as understand it. Refrain from abstract language. Def.: ideas that you cannot see, touch, hear, smell or taste

Abstract Concrete The girl was beautiful John seemed nervous, yet determined. The girl… John was shaking, but his jaw was tightly set.

3. Use Specific Words (11) Def.: words that refer to a limited class of objects. For example, the word hobo is more specific than traveler. The class of traveler is larger than the class of hobo.

Specific Words: Get Specific! Avoid general terms, use specifics The trick is to pick the most specific words to tell the audience what is exactly on your mind. General Galaxies Solar Systems Planets Mars Specific

4. Restate Main Ideas (Quest. 12): Def.: saying something again in a different way; stating an idea again using different words. (Quest. 13): Public speakers restate their main ideas several times, using different terms throughout the speech to make sure everyone understands. Read example on page 219 in SEC.

5. Remove Unnecessary Words Use as many words as necessary to get the message across. Once accomplished – STOP! Economy of Language – The use of as few words as necessary to : state ideas clearly (Quest. 14) See example on page 220 in SEC.

Creating Levels of Emphasis Language makes a speech memorable How do we create emphasis in a speech to highlight certain parts and downplay other parts? Contrast Rhetorical questions Repetition Climax (Quest. 15)

1. Contrast Makes important statements stick in listener’s minds See example on page 222 in SEC Def. two balanced phrases or sentences. The words containing the ideas the speaker wishes to emphasize are the only words changed or rearranged in the second part of the statement (Q. 16).

2. Rhetorical Questions Def.: questions that are not meant to be answered out loud. See example on page 223 in SEC Demand an answer in the mind of each listener (Q. 17) Highlight important points Persuade Create emotional reaction (Q. 17) Listener recall

3. Repetition Restatement – stating the same idea several times using different words (Q. 18) Repetition – stating the same idea several times using the same words Useful in clearly establishing your point. Parallelism – the beginning or ending of several nearby sentences with the same single word or short phrase. See example on page 224 in SEC.

4. Climax When a speaker lists three or four items in a series, the item spoken last carries the greatest emphasis. (Q. 19) Climax ordering – moving from less significant to more significant, and ending with the most important item.

Use Figures of Speech (Q. 20) Similes and metaphors Personification Hyperbole Understatement Irony IDIOMS EUPHEMISM - Political Correctness.

1. Similes and Metaphors Simile: comparison of two unlike things, using like or as. Metaphor: a comparison between two unalike things; it describes one thing as if it were something else.

2. Personification Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects, ideas, or non-human creatures.

3. Hyperbole Most commonly used figure of speech in everyday conversation.

4. Understatement Downplaying an Idea Opposite of hyperbole Highlights something by playing down its importance or making what is significant sound insignificant. Example: A millionaire is asked about the extent of his/her wealth. He/she might reply, “Let’s just say I’m not worried about where my next meal is coming from.”

5. Irony Figure of speech in which the literal meaning expressed by the person's words is the opposite of the meaning intended.

Avoid Common Problems (Q. 21) Avoid unintentional connotations Use euphemisms carefully Avoid clichés Don’t stereotype Use slang sparingly Shun incorrect grammar

Avoid Unintentional Connotations Denotation – literal dictionary definition Connotation – implied meanings of a word; special meanings for different people or groups Be aware of connotations Avoid strong negative connotations; will insult audience.

2. Use Euphemisms Carefully Gentle or softened expressions for harsh or unpleasant realities. Don’t overuse to where your message becomes clouded with “soft” terms.

3. Avoid Clichés Once, a long time ago, expressed a truth or idea clearly and briefly, but are over used and meaningless. Examples: “Where there’s smoke there’s fire,” “Green With envy,” “Pretty as a picture” Don’t use, they are BORING, you can lose RESPECT, and they are unoriginal.

4. Don’t Stereotype Assigning qualities to people or objects because they are part of a general group, without considering their individual differences. Based on: Employment, nationality, religion, race, age, gender, etc. ALWAYS AVOID, there is never a right time to stereotype

5. Use Slang Sparingly Contemporary words or phrases that come in and go out of style rapidly. Shows a limited vocabulary.

6. Shun Incorrect Grammar See page 232-233 in SEC