1. Public Speaking
Effective Language
Presented By
Mrs. Bowden

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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