Using Language
Well
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Aya ait
saidy
Constructing clear
and vivid message
• Why language choice
matters in
communication???
• How to make your message
strong and easy to
understand???
Why words
choice matters
clear
THE RIGHT WORDS= message
confusion
THE WRONG WORDS= or mixed
DALE signals
CARNEGIE
SAYS:
“If you use vivid and clear language, you
can make your audience see, hear, and feel
Be concrete and
precise
[Link] vague
descriptions
2. Use specific details people can
picture
3. help your audience imagine what
you
mean
example:
” Bad weather” say “heavy rain and
hail”
Avoid Jargon & Slang
[Link]:
technical terms only experts know like:
“ we need to optimize the algorithm’s runtime
complexity.”
[Link]:
Casual words not everyone
understands like: “that party was lit.”
Tools to make
your message
vivid
• Metaphors
• Similes
• Alliteration
• Antithesis
• Parallel
Structure
Personalize your message
Use words like “YOU”, “WE”, “US”
To help the audience feel
involved, And make your topic
feel relevant to their realities and
lives
in
conclusion
KEEP IT SIMPLE
KEEP IT SPECIFIC
KEEP IT VIVID
Sexist Language
some people falsely claim language has always
been for men. That is, Sexist language shows
prejudice based on sex, often by assuming one
sex is superior or by using gender stereotypes.
Sexist language communicates inaccurate
information and should be avoided.
Heterosexist
Language
Heterosexist language assumes that everyone is
heterosexual, which ignores the reality that
audience members may be gay or have gay
loved ones. To be ethical and inclusive, speakers
should use neutral names in examples, like
• "Pat and Chris," rather than assuming all
couples consist of a husband and wife
• Effective speakers should avoid "man-linked"
terms like "fireman" or "policeman" and
instead use neutral terms like "firefighter"
It is also important to avoid "spotlighting,"
which involves pointing out gender in jobs, such
as saying "male nurse," as this implies the person
is abnormal.
omparison of Sexist & Gender-Neutral Terms
Actress Actor
Ballerina Ballet Dancer
Businessman Business Person
Chairman Chairperson
Fireman Firefighter
Fisherman Fisher
Male Nurse Nurse
Stewardess Flight Attendant
Avoiding Language
Pitfalls
Profanity, also known as swearing, cursing, or
cussing, is the usage of notionally offensive words
for a variety of purposes, including to demonstrate
disrespect or negativity, to relieve pain, or to
express a strong emotion.
Speakers should avoid profanity because it violates
audience expectations and can damage the speaker's
credibility, even if only one person is offended.
It is also important to avoid exaggeration, such as
using the words "always" or "never," because these
absolute statements are rarely true and can make the
speaker look dishonest or careless.
Speakers should use powerful language rather than
"powerless" language that shows uncertainty, such
as "it seems to me" or "sort of"
• Grammar errors Using incorrect grammar
communicates negative qualities about a speaker
and can be caused by carelessness or a lack of
preparation. Basic errors can give critics a reason
to question a person's leadership abilities.
Mispronouncing words can also hurt credibility, so
speakers should check dictionaries and practice
saying difficult words out loud until they
are comfortable.
Other Language Choices to Consider
Also, it is best to avoid slang or language from specific time
periods, such as
"groovy" or "totally awesome," because it may not be understood by
everyone and can lead to negative stereotypes.
Note that:
It is important for speakers to
remember the power of language
and to harness that power
effectively, yet ethically. We’ve
discussed
the relationship between the
language we use and the way we see
the world, the importance of using
language that is clear, vivid,
stylized, ethical and that reflects
The difference between choosing one
word over another can be as
significant as an audience member
remembering your
presentation or forgetting it and/or
an audience turning against you and
your ideas. Taking a few extra
moments to add some
alliteration or to check for language
Thank
You!