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- Due to its fluid nature, slang is typically reserved for informal conversation, though sometimes it’s used strategically in writing or speeches. Before using slang, consider whether your communication is formal or informal and if your audience is familiar with the term. A general rule of thumb is to avoid using slang in formal situations.
www.grammarly.com/blog/literary-devices/slang/
Slang might be described as a specialized language whose primary purpose is to keep talk private; only insiders know enough of the language to successfully encode or decode the message.
- Things That Do Not Belong In Your Speech: Curse Words, ISTS ...
In your speech, you must remember what it was like to not...
- Things That Do Not Belong In Your Speech: Curse Words, ISTS ...
- Beware of The Curse of Knowledge
- Avoid Big Words
- Avoid Bafflegab
- Avoid Jargon
- Avoid Slang
- Avoid Cliches
- Avoid Cusswords
- Avoid The Ists
- Avoid Powerless Language
When I was in graduate school I suffered from the curse of knowledge. Actor and communication expert, Alan Alda in his book, If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on my Facesays, The problem is people are “unable to ignore the additional information they possess,” according to economists Camerer, Loewenstein, and Weber. These researchers ques...
Why use a three-dollar word when a two-dollar word will do? Words like facetious, discombobulation, obfuscate, and cacophony make you sound smart, but they won’t make you understood. There is a time and place for your ‘big” vocabulary, but it is rarely in your speech. As with all things, context is key. If you are a graduate student or faculty memb...
According to Milton Smith, originator of the term bafflegab said, In short, it is using fancy words used to sound smart or to deliberately confuse your audience. William Lutz called it this inflated language. Most of the time, your audience is confused and not impressed. My dad used to tell me not to confuse my audience or I would be “up the prover...
Jargon is the specialized language of a group or profession. If you are part of the group and speaking to an audience made up of people from that group, then you should use jargon, in fact, it would be hard for you not to. If, however, there are outsiders in the audience, you should be sure to define unknown terms or exclude them altogether. Just f...
Slang is the informal language of a particular group. Because it is seen as “informal,” it should be avoided in formal speeches like career speeches, academic speeches, and professional speeches. In less formal speeches, slang can be useful. If you are an insider to the group, slang can build credibility. Studies found that it created a more suppor...
Clichés are overused expressions that have lost their meaning over time. Cliches can make you seem too lazy to come up with concrete words and some people find them annoying. If you are writing a formal essay, all experts say to avoid cliches. If you are making a formal academic presentation, avoid cliches. In speeches, sometimes they work, but oth...
To cuss or not to cuss, that is the question? If you would have asked me that question, ten years ago, I would have advised you that under no circumstances should you ever swear in a speech. I have to be honest here, however, some of my favorite speeches use swear words. Dr. Randy Pausch says curse words in the Last Lecture and Dr. Jerry Harvey’s l...
Ists do not belong in your speech. Avoid racist, sexist, agist, heterosexist, ableist language. And while you are at it, make sure you know the preferred name for people groups. The “right” word to use changes over time and changes based on context. When I started to write this chapter, I thought I would make a list of what words to say and what wo...
Powerless language consists of words or phrases that weaken the language and undermine credibility. Powerless language results in the speaker being seen as less persuasive, less attractive, and less credible. It is true that in social settings, you should be willing to use powerless language for the sake of cooperation, but in speeches, you should ...
Best Practices for Using Slang. Navigating the use of slang requires sensitivity to context and audience: Know Your Audience: Ensure the slang is appropriate and well-understood by your listeners. Balance Your Usage: Mix slang with more formal language to maintain professionalism where necessary.
Oct 30, 2018 · Using slang in a speech allows us to break down the barriers that exist between us and our audience. Using slang in a speech makes us come across to our audience as being more casual. Slang can be use in a business setting in order to keep and retain our audience’s attention.
May 2, 2024 · Slang words convey a specific context, and the word is typically derived from a transformation of an existing word, either by shortening it or associating a new meaning with an existing word. When should you avoid using slang? Avoid using slang in formal situations, such as at work or in legal contexts.
May 27, 2024 · Slang and colloquialisms play a dynamic role in shaping spoken English, reflecting cultural shifts, social identity, and generational trends. These informal linguistic expressions often bridge gaps between formal language and personal communication, enabling individuals to convey familiarity and authenticity.
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Adding depth and creativity: Slang lets us play with language, using wordplay, shortening words, or creating metaphors. This makes communication more casual and colorful. Here’s how slang helps out; Filling the gaps: Sometimes formal language doesn’t have the right words for new ideas or casual situations.
