About Me
- Brendan
- I am a professional educator by trade, but by my definition, I am much more than that. I wear many hats; including, but not limited to, Father, Husband, Son, Step-Father, Ex-Husband, Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Super Geek (love technology), Trainer, Coach, Student, Writer, Dreamer, and Leader. For fun I am an avid golfer and consider myself a blessed individual because I have the greatest wife in the world that loves to golf with me.
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Thursday, September 29, 2011
Lesson 16 Using Language "Style" for Your Speech
The purpose of this lesson is to help you understand and learn how language style influences speech. Style refers to both the specific words choices and the rhetorical devices (techniques of language) used to express ideas and achieve your speech purpose.
To quote one of my favorite authors Thomas Sowell, he states, “The big divide in this country is not between Democrats and Republicans, or women and men, but between talkers and doers.”
and one more quote by your mother.
"It's not what you say, it's how you say it."
(Usually said to you after getting in trouble for back-talking or teasing a younger sibling)
Giving a speech is not like reading out of a textbook.
Effective speeches:
It is of utmost preponderance that the the assemblage apprehends your exposition; do endeavor for elementariness of your elocution.
In other words,
Make sure your audience understands you. Strive for simplicity of expression in your speeches.
Be Concise
It's okay to use sentence fragments and short phrases when giving a speech (but not in written language).
Repetition is the Mother of Skill and Remembering
Good speeches often repeat key words and phrases.
Repetition adds emphasis to main ideas, helps listeners follow the speaker's logic, creates a style to the speech.
Transitions
Transitional statements help the audience follow along with the flow and intent of the speech. The use of good transitions helps to connect main ideas to supporting details to other main ideas to other supporting details.
Think of transitions as street signs that are telling you where you are going (or in my case a GPS that talks in a sexy computer voice).
We Like Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns in speech (I, you, me, we, us) are great to use when speaking because it personalizes the speech and can help audience members connect to you as the speaker and to the message.
Use Culturally Sensitive Language you Hippy!
As a public speaker it's critical to be sensitive to cultural variations.
Here are some things to be aware of:
Biased Language. This refers to language that relies on unfounded assumptions, negative descriptions, or stereotypes a given group's age, class, gender, disability, geographic, ethnic, racial, or religious characteristics.
Colloquial Language. Refers to language/sayings that are specific to a certain region or group of people. Use of colloquial language can help you "hit the nail on the head" with your speech, or just might make look "dumb as a load of coal." If you're not getting what I'm saying than there's a good chance you are "as slow as mud" or just "too dumb to pound sand in a rat hole."
Need some enLightenment, Click Here
Don't be Sexist. Steer clear from referring to everyone as "he" or being generic when referring to stereotypical jobs. All nurses are not females, and not all construction workers are males. No longer is there such thing as "chairmen" it's now "chairperson." If you're struggling with this, then go ahead and struggle, but it's not going to change.
Sensitive to Disabilities. A disability does not define a person. There are many different types of mental and physical disabilities, so be aware of language that will accord dignity, respect, and fairness.
Choose Concrete over Abstract
Use concrete words that are specific, tangible, and definite. Use a Thesaurus and Dictionary to help you understand and use this.
The opposite of concrete is abstract. Abstract words are general and nonspecific. The problem with using abstract words is these words can be left to the interpretation of individual audience members, which may confuse and frustrate listeners.
If audience members start of ask questions in their head like, "What did he mean by that?", then they are not listening to what you just said.
Examples of Abstract Words:
Abstract: The road was rough.
Concrete: The road was pitted with muddy craters and basketball size boulders.
Paint a Picture with Words
Using vivid images to paint a mental picture for the audience will get their imaginations involved. Key words to help you do this: (taken from Dictionary.com)
Similes: a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in “she is like a rose.”
Metaphors: a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”
Analogy: a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based: the analogy between the heart and a pump.
Here are some other for you to look up:
Personification
Understatement
Irony
Allusion
Hyperbole
Onomatopoeia
Use Appropriate Language
Enough said with this. Don't be using language that offends others.
NO *#$%#! SWEARING!
Ewes Language Correctly
Credibility can be lost when you use words incorrectly.
A malapropism occurs when one uses a word or phrase in the place of one that sounds similar but has a different meaning. "It's a strange receptacle" is wrong. It should say, "It's a strange spectacle."
Be careful of connotative meaning of words. A connotative word is a word that bear different associations or feelings when used. For example, you may consider yourself big-boned or husky, but not fat.
Be Confident and Convincing
Active Voice
Use and active voice not a passive voice. An active voice is when the subject performs the action. An example would be:
Passive: A test was announced by Professor Dalley for Monday.
Active: Professor Dalley announced a test for Monday.
Use I, Me, My
The "I" language will often create an impression of conviction and ownership. Remember, act credible, and by using "I" in an active voice, it can show confidence. People follow confident people. People believe confident people.
Avoid Wimpy Speech
Avoid phrases that show lack of decision, confidence or understanding, such as:
I'm not sure, but…
I may not be right, but…
I think….
This might….
….or at least I thought.
….wasn't it?
….is that okay?
Leave a Lasting Impression
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
As stated earlier, repetition is the mother of skill and remembering.
A form of repetition called anaphora, you the speaker repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. An example of this is Dr. Martin Luther King's speech, "I Have a Dream" where he repeats the phrase "I have a dream" numerous times.
Similar to repetition is alliteration.
Alliteration occurs when a series of words in a row (or close to a row) have the same first consonant sound. For example, “She sells sea-shells down by the sea-short” or “Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers” are both alliterative phrases.
Word of Caution- when alliteration is poorly crafted, it can distract from from a message.
Use Parallelism
Parallelism is not just a mathematical expression. In language it refers to the arrangement of words, phrases, or sentences in a similar form.
For more information on parallelism Click Here
In conclusion, a well crafted speech that uses appropriate language style and rhetorical devices will help you to convey a message that will be considered unforgettable.
Questions
Of course rhetoric doesn't doesn't move mountains, but it is the catalyst of action.
To quote one of my favorite authors Thomas Sowell, he states, “The big divide in this country is not between Democrats and Republicans, or women and men, but between talkers and doers.”
Good use of rhetoric creates action and results!
(Quote by me, Professor Brendan Dalley)
and one more quote by your mother.
(Usually said to you after getting in trouble for back-talking or teasing a younger sibling)
Giving a speech is not like reading out of a textbook.
Effective speeches:
- Use familiar words, easy-to-follow sentences, and straight forward syntax. (Again, know your audience)
- Make much frequent use of repetition and transitions than written text.
- Are more clearly organized and have a specific pattern to help listeners follow along.
- Are much more interactive and can be changed/altered by the feedback (verbals/nonverbals) of the audience.
It is of utmost preponderance that the the assemblage apprehends your exposition; do endeavor for elementariness of your elocution.
In other words,
Make sure your audience understands you. Strive for simplicity of expression in your speeches.
Be Concise
- Use fewer words words to express your thoughts.
- Use contractions
(I'm instead of I am, he's instead of he is, Dalley's the best instead of Dalley is the best, etc.).
This creates a speech that is more easily understood and allows for better flow.
It's okay to use sentence fragments and short phrases when giving a speech (but not in written language).
Often sentence fragments coupled with tone and body movement enhances the "feeling" of the speech and can give it some personality (your personality).
Repetition is the Mother of Skill and Remembering
Good speeches often repeat key words and phrases.
Repetition adds emphasis to main ideas, helps listeners follow the speaker's logic, creates a style to the speech.
TransitionsTransitional statements help the audience follow along with the flow and intent of the speech. The use of good transitions helps to connect main ideas to supporting details to other main ideas to other supporting details.
Think of transitions as street signs that are telling you where you are going (or in my case a GPS that talks in a sexy computer voice).
Personal pronouns in speech (I, you, me, we, us) are great to use when speaking because it personalizes the speech and can help audience members connect to you as the speaker and to the message.
Use Culturally Sensitive Language you Hippy!
As a public speaker it's critical to be sensitive to cultural variations.
Here are some things to be aware of:
Biased Language. This refers to language that relies on unfounded assumptions, negative descriptions, or stereotypes a given group's age, class, gender, disability, geographic, ethnic, racial, or religious characteristics.
Colloquial Language. Refers to language/sayings that are specific to a certain region or group of people. Use of colloquial language can help you "hit the nail on the head" with your speech, or just might make look "dumb as a load of coal." If you're not getting what I'm saying than there's a good chance you are "as slow as mud" or just "too dumb to pound sand in a rat hole."Need some enLightenment, Click Here
Don't be Sexist. Steer clear from referring to everyone as "he" or being generic when referring to stereotypical jobs. All nurses are not females, and not all construction workers are males. No longer is there such thing as "chairmen" it's now "chairperson." If you're struggling with this, then go ahead and struggle, but it's not going to change.
Sensitive to Disabilities. A disability does not define a person. There are many different types of mental and physical disabilities, so be aware of language that will accord dignity, respect, and fairness.
Choose Concrete over Abstract
Use concrete words that are specific, tangible, and definite. Use a Thesaurus and Dictionary to help you understand and use this.
The opposite of concrete is abstract. Abstract words are general and nonspecific. The problem with using abstract words is these words can be left to the interpretation of individual audience members, which may confuse and frustrate listeners.
If audience members start of ask questions in their head like, "What did he mean by that?", then they are not listening to what you just said.
Examples of Abstract Words:
- old
- bad
- a lot
- short
- good
- thing
- big
- long
- new
- late
Abstract: The road was rough.
Concrete: The road was pitted with muddy craters and basketball size boulders.
Using vivid images to paint a mental picture for the audience will get their imaginations involved. Key words to help you do this: (taken from Dictionary.com)
Similes: a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in “she is like a rose.”
Metaphors: a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”
Analogy: a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based: the analogy between the heart and a pump.
Side Note-Stay away from overly used similes, metaphors, or analogies. These are also known as Cliches.
Select words that are colorful and concrete.
Personification
Understatement
Irony
Allusion
Hyperbole
Onomatopoeia
A good rule is to use words that appeal to the 5 senses
Use Appropriate Language
Enough said with this. Don't be using language that offends others.
NO *#$%#! SWEARING!
Ewes Language Correctly
Credibility can be lost when you use words incorrectly.
A malapropism occurs when one uses a word or phrase in the place of one that sounds similar but has a different meaning. "It's a strange receptacle" is wrong. It should say, "It's a strange spectacle."
Be careful of connotative meaning of words. A connotative word is a word that bear different associations or feelings when used. For example, you may consider yourself big-boned or husky, but not fat.
Be Confident and Convincing
Active Voice
Use and active voice not a passive voice. An active voice is when the subject performs the action. An example would be:
Passive: A test was announced by Professor Dalley for Monday.
Active: Professor Dalley announced a test for Monday.
Use I, Me, My
The "I" language will often create an impression of conviction and ownership. Remember, act credible, and by using "I" in an active voice, it can show confidence. People follow confident people. People believe confident people.
Avoid phrases that show lack of decision, confidence or understanding, such as:
I'm not sure, but…
I may not be right, but…
I think….
This might….
….or at least I thought.
….wasn't it?
….is that okay?
Leave a Lasting Impression
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
As stated earlier, repetition is the mother of skill and remembering.
A form of repetition called anaphora, you the speaker repeats a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. An example of this is Dr. Martin Luther King's speech, "I Have a Dream" where he repeats the phrase "I have a dream" numerous times.
Repetition reinforces key ideas and can be used to create a thematic focus of your speech.
Similar to repetition is alliteration.
Alliteration occurs when a series of words in a row (or close to a row) have the same first consonant sound. For example, “She sells sea-shells down by the sea-short” or “Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers” are both alliterative phrases.
Word of Caution- when alliteration is poorly crafted, it can distract from from a message.
Use Parallelism
Parallelism is not just a mathematical expression. In language it refers to the arrangement of words, phrases, or sentences in a similar form.
For more information on parallelism Click Here
In conclusion, a well crafted speech that uses appropriate language style and rhetorical devices will help you to convey a message that will be considered unforgettable.
Rhetoric can be the seed of hope that just may blossom into action and produce the fruit of results!
- Brendan Dalley
- Brendan Dalley
Questions
- Why would it be important to use personal pronouns in your speech? Is there a time that you might not want to use personal pronouns? Why?
- How is repetition helpful in a speech? How is repetition helpful in a speech? How is repetition helpful in a speech? How is…..okay, you got it, but when or how does repetition become harmful to your speech?
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