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Aug 22, 2023 · Language and word choice are crucial in public speaking as they can impact the audience’s understanding, engagement, and perception of the speaker. Using clear, concise, and appropriate language helps convey ideas effectively and ensures that the audience remains attentive throughout the presentation. 2.
- Appropriate for the Speaker. One of the first questions to ask yourself is whether the language you plan on using in a speech fits with your own speaking pattern.
- Appropriate for the Audience. The second aspect of appropriateness asks whether the language you are choosing is appropriate for your specific audience.
- Appropriate for the Context. The next question about appropriateness is whether the language you will use is suitable or fitting for the context itself.
- Appropriate for the Topic. The fourth and final question about the appropriateness of language involves whether the language is appropriate for your specific topic.
Language choice is one of the most important aspects of anyone’s public speaking performance and will determine how an audience experiences the speech. To help you think through your language choices, we are going to talk about six important language elements and how they affect audiences’ perceptions.
- Simple Words
- Specific Words
- Vivid Words
- Forceful Words
Good speakers use simple language. Using confusing jargon or unfamiliar technical term rather than plain terms can have consequences in writing and speaking. For example, there is no need to use the word precipitation instead rain.
Specific words are concrete and describe tangible things the audience can picture (such as apple or smile). Abstract words describe intangible concepts that are difficult to picture (such as devotion or health). If your words are specific enough, the audience is likely to have a clear picture of your meaning. This is especially important in persuas...
These type of words take an active rather than passive voice. For example: Ashley yelled at John is active. John was yelled at by Ashley is passive. Vivid speakers also avoid vague phrases such as “it is believed.” They use a variety of interesting supporting materials and speak directly to their listeners as though in private conversation with the...
Forceful words involve effective use of volume, emphasis and pitch and are especially important in persuasion. They add to the audience’s confidence in the speaker. Speaking forcefully tends to be harder for women than for men. To use force, take the stage with bold, clear language and take out phrases with weak verbs such as “I’m trying to” or “I ...
In this chapter we will look at how language functions in communication, what standards language choices should meet in public speaking, and how you can become more proficient in using language in public speaking. Language is any formal system of gestures, signs, sounds, and symbols used or conceived as a means of communicating thought, either ...
- Chris Miller, Mia Poston
- 2020
Language can be defined as a body of words, and set of methods of combining them (called a grammar), understood by a community and used as a form of communication. The words that make up a language are arbitrary symbols of meaning. In English the word we use to refer to one kind of four-legged house pet is “dog.”.
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Chapter 10 Learning Objectives. After reading this chapter, the student will be able to: Explain how language is used for power. Explain how languages choices affect the effectiveness of public speaking. Explain the standard of clarity. Choose clear language. Choose language appropriate for audiences.
