Using Language in Public Speaking

Using Language in Public Speaking

Language is Powerful • Using language can be a challenge. • Word choices can make your speech unique. • Language can leave a lasting impression.

Language Reveals Our Character ATTITUDES EDUCATION VALUES WORDS KNOWLEDGE BACKGROUND MOTIVATION

Oral versus Written Style There are differences

Using Words Effectively • Use specific, concrete words. • Use simple words. • Use words correctly.

Using Words Effectively • Use specific, concrete words

Using Words Effectively • Use simple words – not jargon

Using Words Effectively Use words correctly • Denotation – literal meaning. • Connotation – personal meaning. Using the denotative meaning may not accurately help listeners understand what it means to be notorious.

Adapting your Language Style to Diverse Listeners • Use language your audience can understand. • Use appropriate language. • Use unbiased language.

Adapting your Language Style to Diverse Listeners Use language your audience can understand • Use standard US English: • Taught in schools. • Used in the media, business and the US government.

Adapting your Language Style to Diverse Listeners Use appropriate language • Avoid racial & ethnic slurs. • Avoid language that puts down people due to sexual orientation. • Avoid language that attacks a certain religious group. • Do not attack people with disabilities.

Adapting your Language Style to Diverse Listeners Use unbiased language • Avoid sexism

Crafting Memorable Word Structures • Creating figurative images. • Creating drama. • Creating cadence.

Crafting MemorableWord Structures • Metaphor. • Simile. • Crisis Rhetoric. • Personification.

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating figurative images • Metaphor • An implied comparison. • Helps us to understand an abstract concept by comparing it to something more concrete.

Crafting MemorableWord Structures • Metaphors

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating figurative images • Simile • Unlike an implied comparison (metaphor), it’s a direct comparison. • Uses “like” or “as.”

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating figurative images • Crisis Rhetoric: • Language used by speakers during momentous and overwhelming times.

Crafting MemorableWord Structures • Crisis Rhetoric

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating figurative images • Personification: Assigning human qualities to inanimate objects or ideas. • “The Shuttle Columbia faithfully served her crew.” • “Old man winter is fierce this year.” • “Father time never stops moving.” • “Take care of our Mother Earth.” • “Lady Liberty still breathes strong.”

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating drama • Short sentences express vitally important thoughts. • Omission: leave out words or phrases the audience expects. • Inversion: reverse normal word order. • Suspension: place a key word or phrase at the end of a sentence (not at the beginning).

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating drama

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating cadence • Creates rhythmic order. • Helps audience stay “in sync.” • Repetition. • Parallelism. • Antithesis. • Alliteration

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating cadence • Repetition: use of a key word or phrase more than once for emphasis.

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating cadence • Parallelism: use of the same grammatical pattern for two or more phrases, clauses or sentences.

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating cadence • Antithesis: sentence with parallel structures but with contrasting meanings.

Crafting MemorableWord Structures Creating cadence • Alliteration: repeating the (typically first) consonant sound several times.

Tips for UsingLanguage Effectively Creating drama • Moderately: don’t go overboard with language devices. • Strategically: use in opening sentences, key statements and conclusions. • Simplistically: use short words; long words are cumbersome. • Economically: keep sentences to a manageable length.

Using Language in Public Speaking