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Revolutionize Your Speeches: Guide to Language and Word Choice in Public Speaking

The impact of using technical jargon in delivery

Understanding complex terminology can have a profound effect on the audience’s comprehension and engagement levels during public speaking. A speaker appearing before an audience might be tempted to litter their delivery with technical jargon, believing it demonstrates their expertise.

However, though this may showcase mastery of the subject matter, it may also unintentionally create a language barrier that alienates listeners unfamiliar with such specialized terms.

To keep your language accessible and clear is vital for effective communication. The use of unnecessarily complicated workplace terminology or industry-specific slang can often lead to misunderstanding between you and your audience, causing confusion around the key message you’re looking to convey.

Hence, precision in using familiar words alongside minimal use of technical jargon ensures inclusivity – bridging any gap between your detailed knowledge of the topic and your listeners’ understanding level.

The importance of using appropriate language for different audiences

Understanding your audience is crucial in public speaking. The use of appropriate language ensures that you’re not only heard but understood, fostering effective communication and high-level engagement.

Tailor your speech to suit the audience’s characteristics – their demographic, level of knowledge about the topic, or cultural background. This technique is known as  audience adaptation  and it promotes comprehension.

Let’s say you’re addressing a group of tech-savvy individuals, peppering your talk with industry jargon might be acceptable here; however this approach could alienate an audience unfamiliar with such terminology resulting in decreased clarity in speech.

Therefore contextual appropriateness plays a key role too when picking out words for speeches or presentations. Make sure to keep your language honest and transparent to establish trust between yourself and listeners while also maintaining necessary formality levels in language depending on the context.

Being aware of these factors can elevate you from being just a speaker to an exceptional communicator.

The role of tone in word choice during delivery

The art of effective communication in public speaking intertwines with the thoughtful selection of words and the tone. The attitude adopted by a speaker, known as tone, can significantly influence their message delivery.

It’s not solely about what you say; it’s about how you convey it. From relaxed to serious or jovial to stern – striking the right tone brings life to your speech.

Tone serves as an essential part of your speaking style. It sets up an emotional undertow in the voice that stirs audiences’ feelings and keeps them absorbed throughout. With a well-mastered vocal technique like articulation and pitch, each word is given its deserving emphasis translating into impactful delivery.

Using language effectively while maintaining appropriate tonal variation enhances understanding among listeners. For instance, opting for descriptive language imbued with emotion can evoke imagery, creating a vivid picture in minds leading to better comprehension.

Therefore mastering this craft requires long-term practice but surely pays off by offering compelling speeches that connect deeply with audiences at all levels.

The use of inclusive language in effective communication

Inclusive language stands as a crucial element in the realm of effective public speaking. It’s all about respecting diversity, promoting equitable opportunities and ensuring that your choice of words fairly represents every listener within your audience.

Labels are often seen as restricting identities; by avoiding such tags, you ensure no groups feel excluded during your delivery.

Practicing inclusive communication extends beyond steering clear from offensive terms and phrases – it’s about fully embracing clarity and sensitivity in engaging with an audience. Indeed, making  use of inclusive language  is more than just politeness or political correctness; it’s about giving equal importance to individuals of different genders, races, religions, sexual orientations or disabilities.

A simple technique like pluralization can work wonders here: for instance choosing ‘they’ over the generic ‘he’. This way we foster a sense of community and create speeches that resonate with both the individuality and universality present in our diverse audiences.

The impact of using slang and colloquial language in delivery

Using slang and colloquial language in public speaking can have a powerful impact on your delivery. It adds a sense of informality and familiarity, helping you connect with your audience on a more personal level.

Slang terms and colloquialisms are expressions that are unique to certain groups or regions, creating a sense of shared identity among those who understand them.

However, it’s important to use slang and colloquial language judiciously. Mindless or excessive use of these informal expressions can negatively affect how your audience perceives you and your message.

It may come across as unprofessional or lacking in clarity.

Consider your audience when deciding whether to incorporate slang into your speech. If you’re speaking to young people or a specific community where the use of slang is common, it can help establish rapport and make them feel understood.

On the other hand, if you’re addressing a more formal setting or diverse group, it’s best to minimize the use of slang to ensure everyone can easily comprehend what you’re saying.

Remember that effective communication involves being able to adapt your language choices based on the situation and audience. By striking the right balance between using familiar language without veering too far into overly casual territory, you’ll be able to engage listeners while still maintaining professionalism in public speaking.

The use of metaphors and analogies to enhance understanding

Metaphors and analogies are like colorful paints on a canvas, adding depth and vibrancy to your words. In the world of public speaking, incorporating metaphors and analogies can be a game-changer when it comes to enhancing understanding.

These powerful tools compare complex ideas to something simple, making them easier for your audience to grasp.

When you weave metaphors into your speech or presentation, you create imagery that resonates with your listeners. By transferring connotations and connections between two seemingly unrelated things, you open up a whole new realm of comprehension.

Imagine explaining the intricacies of astrophysics by comparing the vastness of the universe to an ocean – suddenly, concepts become more tangible and relatable.

Analogies serve a similar purpose in helping your audience understand difficult concepts. They strengthen arguments by drawing parallels between different scenarios or situations. Even if there is no direct similarity in terms of semantics, an analogy can bridge gaps in knowledge and provide clarity.

Effective public speakers know how to use metaphors and analogies strategically without overwhelming their audience. Balancing creative associations among ideas ensures that these linguistic devices enhance understanding rather than confuse it further.

So next time you’re preparing a speech or presentation, consider incorporating metaphors and analogies into your language arsenal. By doing so, you’ll enrich your communication skills while fostering deeper connections with those who listen to you speak.

The importance of avoiding offensive language in communication

Using offensive language in communication can have detrimental effects on your effectiveness as a public speaker. It is essential to be mindful of the words we use and ensure they are respectful and inclusive.

Offensive language not only alienates certain individuals or groups but also undermines your credibility as a speaker.

In order to maintain a positive rapport with your audience, it is crucial to steer clear of any derogatory terms or phrases that may cause offense. This includes avoiding racial slurs, gender-based insults, or any other form of discriminatory language.

By maintaining a respectful tone and using appropriate language, you show respect for the diversity within your audience.

Remember that offensive language goes beyond overtly derogatory remarks; it can also include inappropriate levels of formality, euphemisms, or even slang that may be deemed disrespectful by some individuals.

Therefore, it’s important to choose words carefully and be aware of the potential impact they may have on different members of your audience.

By focusing on using clear and understandable language while actively avoiding offensive terms, you enhance your ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences. Your aim should be inclusive speech that embraces everyone without excluding or discriminating against any individual or group.

In doing so, you foster an environment where all participants feel valued and respected.

In summary: Avoiding offensive language in communication is crucial for public speakers as it promotes inclusivity and shows respect towards all members of the audience. By choosing our words carefully and being mindful of their potential impact, we can create an engaging atmosphere that encourages active participation from everyone present.

The impact of using humor in delivery and its effect on word choice

Using humor in your speech can have a powerful impact on both your delivery and word choice. Incorporating comedy into your presentation not only makes people laugh but also helps you connect with the audience, relieve tension, enhance your status as a speaker, and build trust .

Humor creates an engaging and enjoyable atmosphere, making your message more memorable and increasing audience engagement. When it comes to word selection, humor allows you to choose words that are witty, clever, and playful.

It enables you to use language creatively and effectively to convey ideas in an entertaining way. By using humor strategically in your public speaking engagements, you can elevate the overall effectiveness of your communication efforts while keeping the audience entertained and informed.

The role of cultural sensitivity in language and word choice during delivery

Cultural sensitivity plays a crucial role in language and word choice during public speaking. As speakers, it is important to be aware of the diverse cultural backgrounds and identities of our audience.

Understanding and respecting different cultures allows us to communicate effectively and avoid unintentional offense or misinterpretation.

Language reflects cultural values, norms, and identities. By being culturally sensitive in our language choices, we can create an inclusive environment that promotes understanding and connection.

This involves selecting words that are neutral, respectful, and appropriate for the diverse audience we are addressing.

Moreover, language barriers may exist when communicating with multicultural audiences. Adapting our word choice by simplifying complex terms or using clear examples ensures that everyone can understand the message being conveyed.

Cultural competence also requires recognizing linguistic diversity and making efforts to bridge any communication gaps through effective use of language.

In conclusion, incorporating cultural sensitivity into our language and word choices is key for successful public speaking. By considering the unique characteristics of our audience’s culture, we can create an inclusive environment where all individuals feel respected and understood.

Being mindful of linguistic diversity helps ensure effective communication across cultural boundaries while promoting empathy and connection among diverse groups.

The use of active vs. passive voice in effective communication

In public speaking, the use of active voice can significantly enhance communication effectiveness. Active voice focuses on action and actors, making your speech more engaging and dynamic. Instead of saying “Mistakes were made,” you can say “I made mistakes.” This not only takes ownership but also creates a stronger connection with the audience.

Active voice allows for clear and concise sentences that captivate listeners’ attention. By using active verbs, you convey a sense of purpose and directness in your delivery. For example, instead of saying “The problem was solved by our team,” you can say “Our team solved the problem.”.

Furthermore, active voice helps to maintain a rhythmic flow throughout your speech. It contributes to the overall clarity and impact of your message. Remember to consider both style and substance when utilizing this technique.

By employing active voice in your public speaking endeavors, you will effectively engage your audience while building trust through confident and compelling communication. So take charge, be bold, and let your words resonate with power!

1. Why is language and word choice important in public speaking?

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. How can I improve my language skills for public speaking?

To enhance your language skills for public speaking, you can practice reading books or articles to expand your vocabulary, listen to speeches or presentations by skilled speakers to observe their use of language, and engage in activities like debates or discussions to develop clarity and fluency in expressing your thoughts.

3. What are some tips for choosing the right words during a speech?

When selecting words for a speech, consider your audience’s knowledge level on the topic at hand. Choose words that are familiar to them but still appropriate for conveying complex ideas if needed. Avoid jargon or technical terms unless necessary, speak using active rather than passive voice for greater impact, and strive for simplicity while maintaining precision.

4. How can I maintain an inclusive tone in my public speaking through word choice?

To maintain inclusivity in your public speaking engagements through word choice, be mindful of using gender-neutral terms instead of assuming gender-specific roles when referring to individuals or groups. Additionally, avoid discriminatory or offensive language that may alienate certain sections of your audience based on race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status or any other personal attributes

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Chapter 7: Language

What About the Use of Slang?

You may feel comfortable speaking to your friends or coworkers using the latest terms; however, it is important for the public speaker to limit her/his use of slang. While you may have an informal style and/or topic, remember that not all members of an audience are privy to the meaning behind the words. Certainly, some slang terms have become so commonplace that these terms have now become a part of the mainstream culture. But slang comes and goes quickly. While just about everyone probably knows what a “BFF ” is, how many people are still using that term on a regular basis? It has already been pushed aside for something new that’s the nature of creative expression. There is always something new around the corner.

Fundamentals of Public Speaking Copyright © by Lumen Learning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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10.2: Standards for Language in Public Speaking

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• Page ID 17790

• Kris Barton & Barbara G. Tucker
• Florida State University & University of Georgia via GALILEO Open Learning Materials

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Clear language is powerful language. Clarity is the first concern of a public speaker when it comes to choosing how to phrase the ideas of his or her speech. If you are not clear, specific, precise, detailed, and sensory with your language, you won’t have to worry about being emotional or persuasive, because you won’t be understood. There are many aspects of clarity in language, listed below.

Achieving Clarity

The first aspect of clarity is concreteness. We usually think of concreteness as the opposite of abstraction. Language that evokes many different visual images in the minds of your audience is abstract language. Unfortunately, when abstract language is used, the images evoked might not be the ones you really want to evoke. A word such as “art” is very abstract; it brings up a range of mental pictures or associations: dance, theatre, painting, drama, a child’s drawing on a refrigerator, sculpture, music, etc. When asked to identify what an abstract term like “art” means, twenty people will have twenty different ideas.

In order to show how language should be more specific, the “ladder of abstraction” (Hayakawa, 1939) was developed. The ladder of abstraction in Figure 10.1 helps us see how our language can range from abstract (general and sometimes vague) to very precise and specific (such as an actual person that everyone in your audience will know). You probably understood the ladder in Figure 10.2 until it came to the word “Baroque.” At Bernini’s, you might get confused if you do not know much about art history. If the top level said “Bernini’s David,” a specific sculpture, that would be confusing to some because while almost everyone is familiar with Michelangelo’s David, Bernini’s version is very different. It’s life-sized, moving, and clothed. Bernini’s is as much a symbol of the Baroque Age as Michelangelo’s is of the Renaissance. But unless you’ve taken an art history course, the reference, though very specific, is meaningless to you, and even worse, it might strike you as showing off. In fact, to make my point, here they are in Figure 10.2. A picture is worth a thousand words, right?

Related to the issue of specific vs. abstract is the use of the right word. Mark Twain said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” For example, the words “prosecute” and “persecute” are commonly confused, but not interchangeable. Two others are peremptory/pre-emptive and prerequisites/perquisites. Can you think of other such word pair confusion?

In the attempt to be clear, which is your first concern, you will also want to be simple and familiar in your language. Familiarity is a factor of attention (Chapter 7); familiar language draws in the audience. Simple does not mean simplistic, but the avoidance of multi-syllable words. If a speaker said, “A collection of pre-adolescents fabricated an obese personification comprised of compressed mounds of minute aquatic crystals,” you might recognize it as “Some children made a snowman,” but maybe not. The language is not simple or familiar and therefore does not communicate well, although the words are correct and do mean the same thing, technically.

Along with language needing to be specific and correct, language can use appropriate similes and metaphors to become clearer. Literal language does not use comparisons like similes and metaphors; figurative language uses comparisons with objects, animals, activities, roles, or historical or literary figures. Literal says, “The truck is fast.” Figurative says “The truck is as fast as…“ or “The truck runs like…” or “He drives that truck like Kyle Busch at Daytona.” Similes use some form of “like” or “as” in the comparisons. Metaphors are direct comparisons, such as “He is Kyle Busch at Daytona when he gets behind the wheel of that truck.” Here are some more examples of metaphors:

Love is a battlefield.

Upon hearing the charges, the accused clammed up and refused to speak without a lawyer.

Every year a new crop of activists is born.

For rhetorical purposes, metaphors are considered stronger, but both can help you achieve clearer language, if chosen wisely. To think about how metaphor is stronger than simile, think of the difference “Love is a battlefield” and “Love is like a battlefield.” Speakers are encouraged to pick their metaphors and not overuse them. Also, avoid mixed metaphors, as in this example: “That’s awfully thin gruel for the right wing to hang their hats on.” Or “He found himself up a river and had to change horses.” The mixed metaphor here is the use of “up a river” and “change horses” together; you would either need to use an all river-based metaphor (dealing with boats, water, tides, etc.) or a metaphor dealing specifically with horses. The example above about a “new crop” “being born,” is actually a mixed metaphor, since crops aren’t born, but planted and harvested. Additionally, in choosing metaphors and similes, speakers want to avoid clichés, discussed next.

Clichés are expressions, usually similes, that are predictable. You know what comes next because they are overused and sometimes out of date. Clichés do not have to be linguistic—we often see clichés in movies, such as teen horror films where you know exactly what will happen next! It is not hard to think of clichés: “Scared out of my . . .” or “When life gives you lemons. . .” or “All is fair in. . .” or, when describing a reckless driver, “She drives like a . . . “ If you filled in the blanks with “wits,” “make lemonade,” “love and war,” “or “maniac,” those are clichés.

Clichés are not just a problem because they are overused and boring; they also sometimes do not communicate what you need, especially to audiences whose second language is English. “I will give you a ballpark figure” is not as clear as “I will give you an estimate,” and assumes the person is familiar with American sports. Therefore, they also will make you appear less credible in the eyes of the audience because you are not analyzing them and taking their knowledge, background, and needs into account. As the United States becomes more diverse, being aware of your audience members whose first language is not English is a valuable tool for a speaker.

Additionally, some clichés are so outdated that no one knows what they mean. “The puppy was as cute as a button” is an example. You might hear your great-grandmother say this, but who really thinks buttons are cute nowadays? Clichés are also imprecise. Although clichés do have a comfort level to them, comfort puts people to sleep. Find fresh ways, or just use basic, literal language. “The bear was big” is imprecise in terms of giving your audience an idea of how frightful an experience faced by a bear would be. “The bear was as big as a house” is a cliché and an exaggeration, therefore imprecise. A better alternative might be, “The bear was two feet taller than I am when he stood on his back legs.” The opposite of clichés is clear, vivid, and fresh language.

In trying to avoid clichés, use language with imagery , or sensory language. This is language that makes the recipient smell, taste, see, hear, and feel a sensation. Think of the word “ripe.” What is “ripe?” Do ripe fruits feel a certain way? Smell a certain way? Taste a certain way? Ripe is a sensory word. Most words just appeal to one sense, like vision. Think of color. How can you make the word “blue” more sensory? How can you make the word “loud” more sensory? How would you describe the current state of your bedroom or dorm room to leave a sensory impression? How would you describe your favorite meal to leave a sensory impression? or a thunderstorm?

Poetry uses much imagery, so to end this section on fresh, clear language, here is a verse from “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth. Notice the metaphors (“daffodils dancing,” “host,” which brings to mind great heavenly numbers), simile (“as the stars”) and the imagery (“golden” rather than “yellow,” and other appeals to feeling and sight):

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way.

Effectiveness

Language achieves effectiveness by communicating the right message to the audience. Clarity contributes to effectiveness, but there are some other aspects of effectiveness. To that end, language should be a means of inclusion and identification, rather than exclusion. Let’s establish this truth: Language is for communication; communication is symbolic, and language is the main (but not only) symbol system we use for communication. If language is for communication, then its goal should be to bring people together and to create understanding.

Unfortunately, we habitually use language for exclusion rather than inclusion. We can push people away with our word choices rather than bringing them together. We discussed the concepts of stereotyping and totalizing in Chapter 2, and they serve as examples of what we’re talking about here. What follows are some examples of language that can exclude members of your audience from understanding what you are saying.

Jargon (which we discussed in Chapter 2) used in your profession or hobby should only be used with audiences who share your profession or hobby. Not only will the audience members who don’t share your profession or hobby miss your meaning, but they will feel that you are not making an honest effort to communicate or are setting yourself above them in intelligence or rank. Lawyers are often accused of using “legalese,” but other professions and groups do the same. If audience members do not understand your references, jargon, or vocabulary, it is unlikely that they will sit there and say, “This person is so smart! I wish I could be smart like this speaker.” The audience member is more likely to be thinking, “Why can’t this speaker use words we understand and get off the high horse?” (which I admit, is a cliché!)

What this means for you is that you need to be careful about assumptions of your audience’s knowledge and their ability to interpret jargon. For example, if you are trying to register for a class at the authors’ college and your adviser asks for the CRN, most other people would have no idea what you are talking about (course reference number). Acronyms, such NPO, are common in jargon. Those trained in the medical field know it is based on the Latin for “nothing by mouth.” The military has many acronyms, such as MOS (military occupational specialty, or career field in civilian talk). If you are speaking to an audience who does not know the jargon of your field, using it will only make them annoyed by the lack of clarity.

Sometimes we are not even aware of our jargon and its inadvertent effects. A student once complained to one of the authors about her reaction when she heard that she had been “purged.” The word sounds much worse than the meaning it had in that context: that her name was taken off the official roll due nonpayment before the beginning of the semester.

The whole point of slang is for a subculture or group to have its own code, almost like secret words. Once slang is understood by the larger culture, it is no longer slang and may be classified as “informal” or “colloquial” language. “Bling” was slang; now it’s in the dictionary. Sports have a great deal of slang used by the players and fans that then gets used in everyday language. For example, “That was a slam dunk” is used to describe something easy, not just in basketball.

Complicated vocabulary

coIf a speaker used the word “recalcitrant,” some audience members would know the meaning or figure it out (“Calci-”is like calcium, calcium is hard, etc.), but many would not. It would make much more sense for them to use a word readily understandable–“stubborn.” Especially in oral communication, we should use language that is immediately accessible. However, do not take this to mean “dumb down for your audience.” It means being clear and not showing off. For a speaker to say “I am cognizant of the fact that…” instead of “I know” or “I am aware of…” adds nothing to communication.

Profanity and cursing

It is difficult to think of many examples, other than artistic or comedy venues, where profanity or cursing would be effective or useful with most audiences, so this kind of language is generally discouraged.

Credibility

Another aspect of effectiveness is that your language should enhance your credibility. First, audiences trust speakers who use clear, vivid, respectful, engaging, and honest language. On the other hand, audiences tend not to trust speakers who use language that excludes others or who exhibit uneducated language patterns. All of us make an occasional grammatical or usage error. However, constant verb and pronoun errors and just plain getting words confused will hurt the audience’s belief that you are competent and knowledgeable. In addition, a speaker who uses language and references that are not immediately accessible or that are unfamiliar will have diminished credibility. Finally, you should avoid the phrase “I guess” in a speech. Credible speakers should know what they are talking about.

Rhetorical Techniques

There are several traditional techniques that have been used to engage audiences and make ideas more attention-getting and memorable. These are called rhetorical techniques. Although “rhetorical” is associated with persuasive speech, these techniques are also effective with other types of speeches. We will not mention all of them here, but some important ones are listed below. Several of them are based on a form of repetition. You can refer to an Internet source for a full list of the dozens of rhetorical devices.

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in a sentence or passage. As such, it is a kind of rhyme. Minister Tony Campolo said, “When Jesus told his disciples to pray for the kingdom, this was no pie in the sky by and by when you die kind of prayer.”

Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sentence or passage. In his “I Have a Dream Speech,” Dr. Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Not only does this sentence use alliteration, it also uses the next rhetorical technique on our list, antithesis.

Antithesis is the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced or parallel words, phrases, or grammatical structures. Usually antithesis goes: Not this, but this. John F. Kennedy’s statement from his 1961 inaugural address is one of the most quoted examples of antithesis: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” In that speech he gave another example, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

Parallelism is the repetition of sentence structures. It can be useful for stating your main ideas. Which one of these sounds better?

“Give me liberty or I’d rather die.”

“Give me liberty or give me death.”

The second one uses parallelism. Quoting again from JFK’s inaugural address: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” The repetition of the three-word phrases in this sentence (including the word “any” in each) is an example of parallelism.

Anaphora is a succession of sentences beginning with the same word or group of words. In his inaugural address, JFK began several succeeding paragraphs with “To those”: “To those old allies,” “To those new states,” “To those people,” etc.

Hyperbole is intentional exaggeration for effect. Sometimes it is for serious purposes, other times for humor. Commonly we use hyperbolic language in our everyday speech to emphasize our emotions, such as when we say “I’m having the worst day ever” or “I would kill for a cup of coffee right now.” Neither of those statements is (hopefully) true, but it stresses to others the way you are feeling. Ronald Reagan, who was often disparaged for being the oldest president, would joke about his age. In one case he said, “The chamber is celebrating an important milestone this week: your 70th anniversary. I remember the day you started.”

Irony is the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Although most people think they understand irony as sarcasm (such as saying to a friend who trips, “That’s graceful”), it is a much more complicated topic. A speaker may use it when they profess to say one thing but clearly means something else or say something that is obviously untrue and everyone would recognize that and understand the purpose. Irony in oral communication can be difficult to use in a way that affects everyone in the audience the same way.

Using these techniques alone will not make you an effective speaker. Dr. King and President Kennedy combined them with strong metaphors and images as well; for example, Dr. King described the promises of the founding fathers as a “blank check” returned with the note “insufficient funds” as far as the black Americans of his time were concerned. That was a very concrete, human, and familiar metaphor to his listeners and still speaks to us today.

Appropriateness

Appropriateness relates to several categories involving how persons and groups should be referred to and addressed based on inclusiveness and context. The term “politically correct” has been overused to describe the growing sensitivity to how the power of language can marginalize or exclude individuals and groups. While there are silly extremes such as the term “vertically challenged” for “short,” these humorous examples overlook the need to be inclusive about language. Overall, people and groups should be respected and referred to in the way they choose to be. Using inclusive language in your speech will help ensure you aren’t alienating or diminishing any members of your audience.

Gender-Inclusive Language

The first common form of non-inclusive language is language that privileges one of the sexes over the other. There are three common problem areas that speakers run into while speaking: using “he” as generic, using “man” to mean all humans, and gender-typing jobs. Consider the statement, “Every morning when an officer of the law puts on his badge, he risks his life to serve and protect his fellow citizens.” Obviously, both male and female police officers risk their lives when they put on their badges.

A better way to word the sentence would be, “Every morning when officers of the law put on their badges, they risk their lives to serve and protect their fellow citizens.” Notice that in the better sentence, we made the subject plural (“officers”) and used neutral pronouns (“they” and “their”) to avoid the generic “he.” Likewise, speakers of English have traditionally used terms like “man,” and “mankind” when referring to both females and males. Instead of using the word “man,” refer to the “human race.”

The last common area where speakers get into trouble with gender and language has to do with job titles. It is not unusual for people to assume, for example, that doctors are male and nurses are female. As a result, they may say “she is a woman doctor” or “he is a male nurse” when mentioningsomeone’s occupation, perhaps not realizing that the statements “she is a doctor” and “he is a nurse” already inform the listener as to the sex of the person holding that job.

Ethnic Identity

Ethnic identity refers to a group an individual identifies with based on a common culture. For example, within the United States we have numerous ethnic groups, including Italian Americans, Irish Americans, Japanese Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Cuban Americans, and Mexican Americans. As with the earlier example of “male nurse,” avoid statements such as “The committee is made up of four women and a Vietnamese man.” All that should be said is, “The committee is made up of five people.”

If for some reason gender and ethnicity have to be mentioned—and usually it does not—the gender and ethnicity of each member should be mentioned equally. “The committee is made up of three European-American women, one Latina, and one Vietnamese male.” In recent years, there has been a trend toward steering inclusive language away from broad terms like “Asians” and “Hispanics” because these terms are not considered precise labels for the groups they actually represent. If you want to be safe, the best thing you can do is ask a couple of people who belong to an ethnic group how they prefer to be referred to in that context.

The last category of exclusive versus inclusive language that causes problems for some speakers relates to individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities or forms of mental illness. Sometimes it happens that we take a characteristic of someone and make that the totality or all of what that person is. For example, some people are still uncomfortable around persons who use wheelchairs and don’t know how to react. They may totalize and think that the wheelchair defines and therefore limits the user. The person in the wheelchair might be a great guitarist, sculptor, parent, public speaker, or scientist, but those qualities are not seen, only the wheelchair.

Although the terms “visually impaired” and “hearing impaired” are sometimes used for “blind” and “deaf,” this is another situation where the person should be referred to as he or she prefers. “Hearing impaired” denotes a wide range of hearing deficit, as does “visually impaired. “Deaf” and “blind” are not generally considered offensive by these groups.

Another example is how to refer to what used to be called “autism.” Saying someone is “autistic” is similar to the word “retarded” in that neither is appropriate. Preferable terms are “a person with an autism diagnosis” or “a person on the autism spectrum.” In place of “retarded,” “a person with intellectual disabilities” should be used. Likewise, slang words for mental illness should always be avoided, such as “crazy” or “mental.”

Other Types of Appropriateness

Language in a speech should be appropriate to the speaker and the speaker’s background and personality, to the context, to the audience, and to the topic. Let’s say that you’re an engineering student. If you’re giving a presentation in an engineering class, you can use language that other engineering students will know. On the other hand, if you use that engineering vocabulary in a public speaking class, many audience members will not understand you. As another example, if you are speaking about the Great Depression to an audience of young adults or recent immigrants, you can’t assume they will know the meaning of terms like “New Deal” and “WPA,” which would be familiar to an audience of senior citizens. Audience analysis is a key factor in choosing the language to use in a speech.

Top 36 Slang For Presentation – Meaning & Usage

Presentations are a common part of professional and academic life, but did you know there’s a whole new set of slang to go along with them? Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or just starting out, our team has curated a list of the trendiest and most useful slang words to help you navigate the world of presentations with confidence. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to level up your presentation game and impress your audience like never before!

Click above to generate some slangs

A “deck” refers to a slide presentation, usually created using software like PowerPoint or Keynote. It is a common term used in business and professional settings.

• For example , in a meeting, someone might say, “Let’s go through the deck to discuss the key points.”
• When preparing for a conference , a presenter might ask, “Do you have any feedback on my deck?”
• A manager might request , “Please send me the deck before the meeting so I can review it.”

A “pitch” refers to a persuasive presentation made to convince others, usually potential clients or investors, to buy a product or invest in an idea. It is commonly used in sales and entrepreneurship.

• For instance , a startup founder might say, “I have a pitch scheduled with a venture capitalist tomorrow.”
• In a business competition , a participant might ask, “How long should my pitch be?”
• A salesperson might mention , “I nailed my pitch and closed the deal.”

3. Show and tell

“Show and tell” is a term used to describe a presentation format where the presenter showcases and explains an object or concept to an audience. It is commonly used in educational and informal settings.

• For example , in an elementary school classroom, a student might say, “Today, I brought my pet hamster for show and tell.”
• In a team-building activity , a participant might suggest, “Let’s do a show and tell to share our hobbies.”
• A presenter might start their show and tell by saying , “I’d like to show you all a new gadget I recently discovered.”

A “demo” refers to a presentation or display that showcases the features and functionality of a product. It is often used in marketing and sales.

• For instance, at a technology conference, a company might give a live demo of their latest software.
• In a retail store, a salesperson might offer a demo of a kitchen appliance to potential buyers.
• A product manager might ask , “Do we have a demo video for our new product?”

In the context of presentations, “talk” is a general term for an oral presentation or speech given to an audience. It is a broad term that can be used in various settings.

• For example , at a conference, a speaker might say, “I’ll be giving a talk on the future of technology.”
• In a classroom, a teacher might assign a persuasive talk as a project.
• A presenter might start their talk by saying , “Thank you all for coming. Today, I’ll be talking about effective communication skills.”

6. Slideshow

A slideshow is a type of presentation that uses visual aids, such as slides or images, to accompany the speaker’s talk or message. It is often used to provide visual support and enhance the audience’s understanding or engagement.

• For example, a teacher might create a slideshow to present a lesson to students.
• In a business meeting, a presenter might use a slideshow to showcase data or key points.
• A conference speaker might say , “Let me show you some slides in my slideshow to illustrate my findings.”

7. Run-through

A run-through is a practice session or rehearsal of a presentation or performance. It is an opportunity for the presenter to go through their material and make any necessary adjustments or improvements.

• For instance, before a big conference, a speaker might have a run-through to perfect their delivery.
• In a theater production, the cast and crew will often do multiple run-throughs before opening night.
• A presenter might say , “Let’s do a quick run-through of the presentation to make sure everything flows smoothly.”

8. Showcase

To showcase something means to display or present it with pride or enthusiasm. It is often used to highlight or feature something in a presentation or exhibition.

• For example, an artist might showcase their artwork in a gallery.
• In a product launch, a company might showcase their new product to potential customers.
• A presenter might announce , “Now, I would like to showcase some of our recent achievements.”

An expo is a large-scale exhibition or trade show where companies or organizations display their products, services, or ideas to a targeted audience. It is a platform for showcasing innovations, networking, and generating business opportunities.

• For instance, a technology expo might feature the latest gadgets and advancements in the industry.
• In the fashion industry, designers often participate in fashion expos to showcase their collections.
• A presenter might say , “We will be attending the upcoming expo to introduce our new line of products.”

10. Display

To display something means to present or show it to others. It is a broad term that can refer to any form of visual presentation or exhibition.

• For example, a museum might display artifacts from ancient civilizations.
• In a retail store, products are displayed on shelves or in showcases.
• A presenter might say , “I will now display the results of our research on the screen.”

11. Exhibit

To present or display something, usually in a visual or interactive format, to an audience. An exhibit can refer to a physical display or an online presentation.

• For example, at a museum, there might be an exhibit on ancient civilizations.
• In an art gallery, a new artist might have their work on exhibit.
• A company might create an interactive exhibit to showcase their latest products.

12. Lecture

A formal presentation or speech given by an expert or knowledgeable individual on a specific topic. A lecture is typically informative and educational in nature.

• For instance, a professor might give a lecture on the history of the Roman Empire.
• In a conference, a keynote speaker might deliver a lecture on the future of technology.
• A TED Talk is a popular platform for experts to give lectures on various subjects.

13. Symposium

An event where experts or professionals gather to discuss and present their research or ideas on a specific topic. A symposium often includes multiple presentations and panel discussions.

• For example, a symposium on climate change might feature scientists presenting their findings.
• In the field of medicine, a symposium might focus on the latest advancements in a particular area.
• Attendees at a symposium can engage in discussions and ask questions to the presenters.

14. Briefing

A concise and informative presentation that provides essential information or instructions on a specific topic. A briefing is often used in a professional or military context to keep individuals informed.

• For instance, a manager might give a briefing on the company’s quarterly performance.
• In a government setting, a security briefing might be given to officials about potential threats.
• A team leader might conduct a project briefing to ensure everyone is on the same page.

15. Seminar

A small-group educational session that focuses on a specific topic and encourages active participation and discussion among participants. A seminar is often more interactive and hands-on compared to a traditional lecture.

• For example, a seminar on effective communication skills might involve role-playing exercises.
• In a business setting, a seminar on leadership might include group activities and case studies.
• Attendees at a seminar can learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives.

A panel is a group of experts or individuals who are invited to discuss a specific topic or issue in front of an audience. It often involves a moderator who guides the discussion and allows for audience participation.

• For example , “The panel of experts discussed the future of renewable energy.”
• In a conference , a session might be titled, “Panel: Women in Leadership.”
• A participant might ask , “What are the panelists’ thoughts on the impact of social media on mental health?”

17. Workshop

A workshop is a hands-on session where participants actively engage in learning and problem-solving. It typically involves practical activities, group discussions, and exercises to enhance skills or knowledge.

• For instance , “The workshop focused on improving communication skills.”
• In a training program , a session might be titled, “Leadership Workshop: Building Effective Teams.”
• A participant might say , “I learned a lot from that workshop. It was highly engaging and informative.”

A forum is a public or private event where individuals gather to discuss a specific topic or issue. It provides a platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas among participants.

• For example , “The forum on climate change brought together scientists, policymakers, and activists.”
• In an online community , a forum might be titled, “General Discussion: Current Events.”
• A participant might contribute to the forum by stating , “I’d like to share my thoughts on the future of education.”

19. Webinar

A webinar is a live or pre-recorded presentation, workshop, or lecture that is conducted over the internet. It allows participants to join remotely and interact with the presenter or facilitator through chat or Q&A features.

• For instance , “The webinar on digital marketing strategies attracted participants from around the world.”
• In a professional development program , a session might be titled, “Webinar: Effective Time Management.”
• A participant might ask during a webinar , “Can you provide examples of successful case studies?”

20. Keynote

A keynote is the main or opening speech delivered at a conference, event, or presentation. It sets the tone, highlights key themes, and often features a prominent speaker or thought leader.

• For example , “The keynote address emphasized the importance of innovation in the digital age.”
• In a technology conference , a session might be titled, “Keynote: Future of Artificial Intelligence.”
• A participant might comment , “The keynote speaker inspired the audience with their personal success story.”

21. Address

An address refers to a formal speech or presentation given to an audience. It is usually delivered by someone in a position of authority or expertise.

• For example, a politician might give an address to discuss important issues with the public.
• In a business setting, a CEO might give an address to shareholders during an annual meeting.
• A university professor might give an address at a graduation ceremony to congratulate the graduating students.

In the context of a presentation, a powwow refers to a gathering or meeting where ideas are discussed and plans are made. It is often used to describe a collaborative or brainstorming session.

• For instance, a team might have a powwow to come up with creative ideas for a presentation.
• In a business setting, a manager might call a powwow to discuss strategies for an upcoming presentation.
• A group of students might have a powwow to divide tasks and prepare for a group presentation.

A spiel is an informal term for a persuasive or sales pitch. It is often used to describe a presentation or speech that aims to convince someone to buy a product or service.

• For example, a salesperson might give a spiel to potential customers about the benefits of a new product.
• In a marketing meeting, a team might discuss different spiels to attract customers to their brand.
• A telemarketer might have a prepared spiel to deliver over the phone in order to make a sale.

24. Pitch deck

A pitch deck is a set of slides used in a presentation to provide an overview of a business idea or project. It typically includes key information, such as market analysis, target audience, and financial projections.

• For instance, a startup founder might create a pitch deck to attract investors for funding.
• In a business pitch competition, participants might use a pitch deck to present their ideas to a panel of judges.
• A marketing team might create a pitch deck to pitch a new campaign strategy to their clients.

25. Ted talk

A Ted talk refers to a presentation or speech given at a TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference. These talks are known for their inspirational and informative content, often delivered by experts in their fields.

• For example, a scientist might give a Ted talk to share groundbreaking research with a wider audience.
• In a Ted talk, a social entrepreneur might discuss innovative solutions to global problems.
• A motivational speaker might be invited to give a Ted talk to inspire and motivate the audience.

26. Slammer

A “slammer” is a presentation that is highly engaging and leaves a lasting impression on the audience. It is often characterized by its energetic delivery and powerful content.

• For example, a speaker might give a slammer at a conference, capturing the audience’s attention with their enthusiasm and compelling storytelling.
• In a business setting, a presenter might aim to deliver a slammer to pitch a new product or idea, using persuasive techniques and captivating visuals to make a memorable impact.
• A motivational speaker might give a slammer to inspire and motivate the audience, leaving them feeling empowered and ready to take action.

27. Powertalk

A “powertalk” refers to a presentation that is delivered with confidence and authority, aiming to persuade and influence the audience. It is characterized by its strong delivery and persuasive techniques.

• For instance, a salesperson might give a powertalk to convince potential clients to purchase their product, using persuasive language and compelling arguments.
• In a leadership role, a manager might give a powertalk to inspire and motivate their team, using their confident presence to convey their vision and goals.
• A public speaker might give a powertalk to advocate for a particular cause or issue, using their persuasive skills to sway the audience’s opinion.

28. Pecha Kucha

Pecha Kucha is a unique presentation style that originated in Japan. It involves presenting 20 slides, each shown for 20 seconds, resulting in a concise and fast-paced presentation.

• For example, during a Pecha Kucha event, each presenter follows the format of 20 slides, each automatically advancing every 20 seconds, ensuring a concise and focused presentation.
• Pecha Kucha presentations are often used in creative industries, such as design and architecture, where visual storytelling and concise communication are important.
• The Pecha Kucha format encourages presenters to be concise and creative, as they have limited time to convey their message.

29. Lightning talk

A “lightning talk” is a brief and fast-paced presentation that lasts typically 5 minutes or less. The goal is to deliver a concise and impactful message to the audience.

• For instance, during a conference, multiple speakers might give lightning talks to cover a variety of topics in a short amount of time, allowing for a diverse range of ideas to be shared.
• Lightning talks are often used in tech and professional communities to provide quick insights, updates, or demonstrations on specific subjects.
• The short duration of a lightning talk requires presenters to be clear and focused, delivering their message in a concise and memorable way.

30. Fireside chat

A “fireside chat” is an informal and conversational presentation style, often used to create a relaxed and intimate atmosphere between the speaker and the audience. It aims to foster a sense of connection and engagement.

• For example, a CEO might hold a fireside chat with employees to discuss company updates and answer questions, creating a more personal and approachable interaction.
• Fireside chats are often used in educational settings, where a speaker engages with students in a relaxed environment, encouraging open dialogue and discussion.
• The fireside chat format allows for a more casual and interactive presentation, where the audience feels comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts.

31. Storytelling

Storytelling is a technique used in presentations to engage the audience and convey information through a narrative structure. It involves using personal anecdotes, examples, and compelling stories to make the content more relatable and memorable.

• For example, a presenter might start a talk with a personal story to grab the audience’s attention and set the tone for the rest of the presentation.
• In a business setting, a salesperson might use storytelling to illustrate how their product or service has benefited previous customers.
• A teacher might use storytelling to make a lesson more engaging and help students better understand complex concepts.

32. Lecturette

A lecturette is a brief or condensed version of a lecture or presentation. It typically covers a specific topic or subtopic within a larger presentation or event.

• For instance, in a conference with multiple speakers, each speaker might deliver a lecturette on a specific aspect of the overall theme.
• During a training session, a trainer might give a lecturette to provide a quick overview of a particular concept or technique.
• In a team meeting, a member might give a lecturette to update the team on a recent project or development.

33. Roundtable

A roundtable is a presentation format where multiple participants sit in a circle or around a table to discuss a specific topic. It encourages open and collaborative discussions among the participants, allowing for the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

• For example, in a conference, a roundtable session might involve experts in a particular field sharing their insights and engaging in a group discussion.
• During a brainstorming session, a team might gather around a roundtable to generate ideas and solutions for a problem.
• In an academic setting, a roundtable might be used to facilitate a debate or discussion among students on a specific subject.

34. Colloquium

A colloquium is an academic presentation or lecture that focuses on a specific topic or research area. It is typically delivered by an expert or scholar in the field, providing an opportunity for the audience to learn about and discuss current research and findings.

• For instance, in a university setting, a colloquium might be held to showcase the work of faculty members or visiting scholars.
• A research institute might organize a colloquium to share the latest advancements and breakthroughs in a particular field.
• Attendees of a colloquium can expect to gain new insights, ask questions, and engage in intellectual discussions with the presenter and other participants.

35. Plenary

A plenary is a full assembly or main session of a conference or meeting where all participants come together to discuss and make decisions on important matters. It is usually the largest and most significant part of the event.

• For example, in a conference, the plenary session might feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and presentations on the main theme.
• During a political gathering, a plenary session might involve debates, voting, and policy discussions among representatives.
• In a business meeting, the plenary session might include updates from different departments, strategic planning, and decision-making processes.

36. Town hall

A town hall is an open forum meeting where members of a community, organization, or company gather to discuss important issues, ask questions, and share ideas.

• For example , “We will be holding a town hall meeting to discuss the proposed changes to our company’s policies.”
• In a political context, a candidate might host a town hall to connect with voters and address their concerns.
• During a town hall, participants can raise their hands and ask questions or make comments to engage in the discussion.

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Speechwriting

12 Language in Speechwriting

What language is and does

In this chapter . . .

Regardless of how interesting your speech topic is or how well it’s structured, if the language you choose is difficult for the audience to understand, they will become confused and disengaged. We explain both how to shape language through rhetorical techniques to enhance mental imagery and sound sense and what type of language should be avoided.

We would be wrong to treat language as an “add-on” to the ideas and structure of the speech. Language is far too complex and foundational an aspect of our lives for us to consider it as an afterthought for a speech. 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.

As a means of communication, language functions on two levels we call denotative and connotative. Denotative is the specific meaning associated with a word. We sometimes refer to denotative as dictionary definitions. Connotative, on the other hand, is the idea associated with a word at a cultural or personal level. It’s the way a specific listener interprets a word. For example, the word “police” denotes, according to common dictionary definitions, “the civil force of a national or local government, responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order.” Connotations for the word “police,” however, vary according to individuals. In practice, listening involves processing both denotation and connotation.

While as speechwriters we can’t control exactly how an audience hears the words we speak, if we work towards language clarity, effectiveness, and elegance, which are discussed in the next sections, we can improve understanding between speaker and listener.

Clarity is the first concern of a public speaker when it comes to choosing how to phrase the ideas of their speech. If you are not clear, specific, precise, detailed, and sensory with your language, you won’t have to worry about being emotional or persuasive, because you won’t be understood.

Be Concrete

The first aspect of clarity is concreteness. We usually think of concreteness as the opposite of abstraction. Language that evokes many different visual images in the minds of your audience is abstract language. Unfortunately, when abstract language is used, the images evoked might not be the ones you really want to evoke. A word such as “art” is very abstract; it brings up a range of mental pictures or associations: dance, theatre, painting, drama, a child’s drawing on a refrigerator, sculpture, music, etc. When asked to identify what an abstract term like “art” means, twenty people will have twenty different ideas. One the other hand, being concrete means saying specifically what you mean so audiences see what you see.

Choose the Right Word

Related to the issue of specific vs. abstract is using the right word. Mark Twain said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” For example, the words “prosecute” and “persecute” are commonly confused, but not interchangeable. Can you think of other such word pair confusion?

Be Simple and Familiar

In the attempt to be clear, which is your first concern, you will also want to be simple and familiar in your language. Familiar language draws in the audience. Simple does not mean simplistic, but the avoidance of multi-syllable words. If a speaker said, “A collection of pre-adolescents fabricated an obese personification comprised of compressed mounds of minute aquatic crystals,” you might recognize it as “Some children made a snowman,” but maybe not. The language isn’t simple or familiar and therefore does not communicate well.

Add Figurative Language

Using appropriate similes and metaphors can add clarity to your speech. Similes and metaphors are tools of figurative language that provide more information through comparisons. The opposite of figurative language is literal language. Literal language says, “The truck is fast.” Figurative language says, “The truck is as fast as a rocket.”

Similes and metaphors do the same thing. The distinction is that similes are indirect while metaphors are direct. An example of a simile is, “Love is like a battlefield.” The metaphor is “Love is a battlefield.” Which one do you think is more effective?

Using figurative language to add comparisons can help you achieve clearer language, if chosen wisely. Speakers are encouraged to pick their similes and metaphors but not overuse them.

Use Imagery

Like comparisons, imagery or sensory language can help make your speech clearer. This is language that makes the recipient smell, taste, see, hear, and feel a sensation. Think of the word “ripe.” What is “ripe?” Do ripe fruits feel a certain way? Smell a certain way? Taste a certain way? Ripe is a sensory word. Most words just appeal to one sense, like vision. Think of color. How can you make the word “blue” more sensory? How can you make the word “loud” more sensory? How would you describe the current state of your bedroom or dorm room to leave a sensory impression? How would you describe your favorite meal to leave a sensory impression? or a thunderstorm?

Avoid Euphemisms

Euphemisms are often used to make something unpleasant sound more tolerable. While not unclear, euphemisms are not quite honest. During the Vietnam War, “air support” was invented to cover the real meaning: “bombing.” Today, terms like “revenue enhancement” are used instead of “tax increases.” Realtors sell “homes,” not houses. McDonald’s sells “Happy Meals” even though it’s the same food they sell that are not “Happy Meals.”

In everyday speech, we use euphemisms all the time. For example, we might say that someone “passed away” instead of “died.”  However, public speakers should use euphemisms carefully. Avoid any that are meant to mislead listeners or hide the true meaning of what we are trying to say.

Effectiveness

Language achieves effectiveness by communicating the right message to the audience. Clarity contributes to effectiveness, but there are some other aspects of effectiveness, specifically credibility and appropriateness. The way you use language helps establish your credibility as a speaker and allows you to communicate your awareness of your audience. Choosing appropriate language fosters inclusion and identification, rather than exclusion.

Unfortunately, we habitually use language for exclusion rather than inclusion. We can push people away with our word choices rather than bringing them together. Below are some examples of language that can exclude members of your audience from understanding what you are saying.

Credibility

Language is an element of credibility. As you learned, speakers establish credibility with audiences by sharing their expertise, experience, and personal interest in the speech topic. However, language plays a role in credibility, as well. Audiences trust speakers who use clear, vivid, respectful, engaging, and honest language. On the other hand, audiences tend not to trust speakers who use language that excludes others. In addition, a speaker who uses language and references that are not immediately accessible or that are unfamiliar will have diminished credibility.

Appropriateness

For language to be effective, it needs to be appropriate to the audience. Appropriateness relates to several categories involving how persons and groups should be referred to and addressed based on inclusiveness and context. People and groups should be respected and referred to in the way they choose to be. Using inclusive language in your speech will help ensure you aren’t alienating or diminishing any members of your audience. Language is ever-changing and responding to the cultural moment; being aware of changes in how language adjusts to inclusiveness, and seeking advice when unsure, is part of the responsibility of being a public speaker.

Gender-Inclusive Language

Avoid non-inclusive language that privileges one gender identity over any other one. Using “he” as generic, for example, or “man” to mean all humans. Use plural subjects and use neutral pronouns (“they” and “their”). Also, avoid gender-typing jobs, for example, by assuming that doctors are “he” and nurses are “she.”

Ethnic Identity

Ethnic identity refers to a group an individual identifies with based on a common culture. Within the United States we have numerous ethnic groups. Avoid statements such as “The committee is made up of four women and a Vietnamese man.” All that should be said is, “The committee is made up of five people.”

In recent years, there has been a trend toward steering inclusive language away from broad terms like “Asians” and “Hispanics” because these terms are not considered precise labels for the groups they represent. You should ask people who belong to an ethnic group how they prefer to be referred to in that context.

Inclusive Language and Disability

A category of exclusive versus inclusive language that causes problems for some speakers relates to individuals with physical or intellectual differences. Sometimes it happens that we take a characteristic of someone and make that the totality or all of what that person is. A common example of this is how to refer to what used to be called “autism.” Saying someone is “autistic” substitutes an attribute of a person for the totality of their identity. Preferable terms are “a person with an autism diagnosis” or “a person on the autism spectrum.”

This is another situation where the person should be referred to as they prefer. “Hearing impaired” denotes a wide range of hearing deficit, as does “visually impaired. “Deaf” and “blind” are not generally considered offensive by these groups.

Slang words for mental illness should always be avoided, such as “crazy” or “mental.”

Other Types of Appropriateness

Language in a speech should be appropriate to the speaker and the speaker’s background and personality, to the context, to the audience, and to the topic. Let’s say that you’re an engineering student. If you’re giving a presentation in an engineering class, you can use language that other engineering students will know. On the other hand, if you use that engineering vocabulary in an arts class, audience members may not understand you. As another example, if you are speaking about the Great Depression to an audience of young adults or recent immigrants, you can’t assume they will know the meaning of terms like “New Deal” and “WPA,” which would be familiar to an audience of senior citizens. Audience analysis is a key factor in choosing the language to use in a speech.

Elegance through Rhetorical Techniques

Elegance in speechwriting means enhancing the power of a speech through rhetorical techniques. There are several traditional techniques that have been used to engage audiences and make ideas more attention-getting and memorable. We will not mention all of them here, but some important ones are listed below.

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in a sentence or passage. As such, it’s a kind of rhyme. Minister Tony Campolo said, “When Jesus told his disciples to pray for the kingdom, this was no pie in the sky by and by when you die kind of prayer.”

Alliteration

This means the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sentence or passage. In his famous “I Have a Dream Speech,” Dr. Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Not only does this sentence use alliteration (“content of character”), but it also uses the next rhetorical technique on our list, antithesis.

Antithesis is immensely powerful in public speaking. It means the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced or parallel words, phrases, or grammatical structures. A common antithesis has the structure, “not this, but this.” John F. Kennedy’s statement from his 1961 inaugural address is one of the most quoted examples of antithesis:

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

In that speech he gave another example,

“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

Parallelism

Like antithesis is parallelism. Parallelism is the repetition of sentence structures. It can be useful for stating your main ideas. Which one of these sounds better?

“Give me liberty or I’d rather die.” vs. “Give me liberty or give me death.”

The second one uses parallelism. Quoting again from JFK’s inaugural address: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” The repetition of the three-word phrases in this sentence (including the word “any” in each) is an example of parallelism.

This is a succession of sentences beginning with the same word or group of words. In his inaugural address, JFK began several succeeding paragraphs with “To those”: “To those old allies,” “To those new states,” “To those people,” etc.

Language to Avoid

Clichés are expressions, usually similes, which are predictable. You know what comes next because they are overused and sometimes out of date. Clichés are not just a problem because they are overused; they also sometimes don’t communicate what you need, especially to audiences whose second language is English. “I will give you a ballpark figure” isn’t as clear as “I will give you an estimate.” As the United States becomes more diverse, being aware of your audience members whose first language isn’t English is a valuable tool for a speaker.

Jargon used in your profession or hobby should only be used with audiences who share your profession or hobby. Not only will the audience members who don’t share your profession or hobby miss your meaning, but they will feel that you are not making an honest effort to communicate or are setting yourself above them in intelligence or rank. You need to be careful about assumptions of your audience’s knowledge and their ability to interpret jargon.

The whole point of slang is for a subculture or group to have its own code, almost like secret words. Once slang is understood by the larger culture, it’s no longer slang and may be classified as “informal” or “colloquial” language. “Bling” was slang; now it’s in the dictionary. Sports have a great deal of slang used by the players and fans that then get used in everyday language. For example, “That was a slam dunk” is used to describe something easy, not just in basketball.

Complicated vocabulary

If a speaker used the word “recalcitrant,” some audience members would know the meaning or figure it out, but many would not. It would make much more sense for them to use a word readily understandable: “stubborn.” Especially in oral communication, we should use language that is immediately accessible. However, don’t take this to mean “dumb down for your audience.” It means being clear and not showing off. For a speaker to say “I am cognizant of the fact that…” instead of “I know” or “I am aware of…” adds nothing to communication.

Profanity and cursing

It’s difficult to think of many examples, other than artistic or comedy venues, where profanity or cursing would be effective or useful with most audiences, so this kind of language is discouraged.

Developing Your Ability with Language

At this point, we will make some applications and suggestions about using language as you grow as a public speaker.

First, get in the habit of using “stipulated definitions” with concrete examples (defining operationally). In other words, define your terms for the audience. This is especially necessary if you are using a technical term, a word that has multiple meanings in different contexts, or an often-misunderstood word. You can say at the beginning of the body of your speech, “In this speech I am going to be using the word ”X,” and what I mean by it is . . . ”

Second, develop specific language. You can develop specific language with the following techniques:

• Distinguishing between individuals and the group (that is, avoid stereotyping).
• Specifying time and place of behavior instead of making broad statements. What was true of a person in 1999 isn’t necessarily true of the person now.
• Using names for jobs or roles (“accountants,” “administrative assistants,” “instructors”) instead of “people” or “workers.”
• Avoid “always/never” language. “Always” and “never” usually don’t reflect reality and tend to make listeners defensive.
• Avoid confusing opinions for facts. If I say, “Avatar is a terrific movie,” I am stating an opinion in the language of fact. If you preface opinions with “I believe,” or “It’s my opinion” you will be truthful and gain the appearance of being fair-minded and non-dogmatic. Using this kind of language also helps make the speaker seem less dogmatic and closed-minded.

Third, personalize your language. In a speech it’s fine to use personal pronouns as opposed to third person. That means “I,” “me,” “we,” “us,” “you,” etc. are often helpful in a speech. It gives more immediacy to the speech. Be careful of using “you” for examples that might be embarrassing. “Let’s say you are arrested for possession of a concealed weapon,” sounds like the audience members are potential criminals.

Finally, develop your vocabulary, but don’t show it off. One of the benefits of a college education is that your vocabulary will expand greatly—and it should. A larger vocabulary will give you access to more complicated reading material and allow you to understand the world better. But knowing the meaning of a more complicated word doesn’t mean you have to use it with every audience.

Language choices, or what the ancient rhetoricians called “style,” are as important as other parts of speechwriting. Audience analysis will help you to develop language that is clear, vivid, appropriate, credible, and persuasive.

Something to Think About

What are some of the clichés and slang that have become popular recently? What do they mean? Why would they not be useful in public speaking?

Listen to a presidential speech, such as an inaugural address, and study it for the figurative language (similes, metaphors), rhetorical techniques, and use of words to build and reflect the power of the presidency as well as connect with the audience.

Public Speaking as Performance Copyright © 2023 by Mechele Leon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

29 Using Language Effectively

Learning Objectives

• Use language effectively during speech preparation, practice, and delivery.
• Identify inclusive language.

Using Language Effectively

Language is an important consideration for your speech because at the most fundamental level, this is how your audience will understand what you’re saying. From the actual words that come out of your mouth to the points and topics you articulate, language is the vehicle that helps your audience understand and agree with your statement or argument. What you actually choose to say in your speech—every single word—must be carefully selected. Is each individual word the best word you can use to convey your message or meaning? Is your phrasing easy to understand? Are you using descriptive language? Do you connect similar thoughts for your audience? Have you included points of contrast to illustrate broader points? These are all important questions to consider as you begin to select each and every word that makes it into your speech. Even more important are the words you choose to leave out: consider too, what you  aren’t  saying.

This section explores strategies to use language effectively.

Simple Language

When asked to write a speech or a paper, many of us pull out the thesaurus (or call it up on our computer) when we want to replace a common word with one that we believe is more elevated or intellectual. There are certainly times when using a thesaurus is a good thing, but if you’re pulling that big book out to turn a simple idea into one that sounds  more complex, put it back on the shelf.

Using a complex word when a well-known or simpler term will do inhibits your ability to communicate clearly. Your goal as a speaker should be to be as clear as you possibly can. Using language that makes it more difficult for your audience to understand your message can negatively impact your ability to get a clear message across to your audience. If your audience can’t understand your vocabulary, they can’t understand your message.

Additionally, part of having strong credibility as a speaker is convincing your audience of your sincerity, both in terms of your ideas and your character. When you use words that are not typically used in conversational language, audiences may perceive you as insincere and therefore less credible. Also, when the audience’s attention is focused on questions about your character and veracity, they are less likely to pay attention to your message.

Specific Language

Concrete and precise language is specific, language that details an idea, action, sensation, event.  You will give clearer information if you use specific rather than general words. Evoke senses of taste, smell, hearing, sight, and touch with specific word choices . But specifics do clarify your meaning. Look for general words such as “things,” “very,” or “many,” which you can replace with more specific terminology.

Concrete versus abstract language

Many misunderstandings stem from the language we use. You say you will call your friend “later” and your friend got angry because you didn’t. By “later” you may have meant later in the week while your friend thought later meant later that day. Often in these cases, both people are right. So, how did the misunderstanding happen? One of the primary reasons we miscommunicate is because language is abstract. As illustrated in the previous example, meanings exist in people’s understandings of words, not the actual words. If you’re telling a story about “a dog” you could be talking about a German Shepherd while your audience is envisioning a Chihuahua. If you do not use concrete language, you risk at least sending a different message than you intended. If you are speaking about a German Shepard, you want to use the concrete term “German Shepherd” over the more abstract term “dog” to increase audience understanding.

Below are two strategies to help you use concrete language.

Replace abstract terms with concrete words that have a clear and direct meaning.

• Equality  can mean a variety of things to different people: What does  equality  mean in this instance?
• Concrete:  The case sought to legalize gay marriage.

Use language that appeals to the senses.

• What makes this setting  unpleasant ? Replace this term with specific, descriptive language.
• Concrete:  The waiting room was cold, antiseptic-smelling, and crowded with sick people who were coughing, groaning, or crying.

When you are writing your speech, look for words that you might need to define more clearly. Many words mean different things to different people, so use concrete language over abstract words to better your chances of communicating your message as intended.

The following video offers additional examples of using concrete versus abstract language.

Precise Language

Just as abstract language may be confusing, vague, overly general, subjective, or ambiguous terms may be interpreted differently by different audience members, thus confusing the intent of your message.  As with concrete vs. abstract language, you do not want to choose words and phrasing that could be interpreted in multiple ways. Choose words that most precisely, concisely, and accurately convey your point. Someone might call a sweater “green” while someone else calls it “teal.” Even though those are just differences in perception not purposeful or mindless communication meant to be inaccurate, not being clear about exactly which color you’re talking about can lead to confusion. It is best to remember to be as precise as possible when choosing words. Don’t say something was “big”—tell us its weight or height, and to be sure you’re communicating clearly compare that weight or height to something we understand.

The table below lists some examples of vague words and phrases edited to be precise. As you’ll see, the precise versions of the phrases anticipate and answer questions that an audience may have.

Note that clichés, or over-used expressions, are often vague.  Clichés can be vague because they have an agreed-upon meaning among a particular culture or group.  However, professionally, you may be working with people from many backgrounds who do not understand the agreed-upon meaning. For example, ask a non-native speaker of English if “things are looking up,” and the person may respond by physically looking upwards. So avoid clichés or, if you have used them in an initial draft, make sure to replace them with more precise language. For example:

The following video offers a quick definition and a few examples of precise language.

Vivid Language

Vivid Language helps your listeners create strong, distinct, clear, and memorable mental images. Good vivid language usage helps an audience member truly understand and imagine what a speaker is saying. Several strategies will help you to use vivid language.

Metaphors and Similes

Metaphors  are comparisons made by speaking of one thing in terms of another.  Similes  are similar to metaphors in how they function; however, similes make comparisons by using the word “like” or “as,” whereas metaphors do not. The power of a metaphor is in its ability to create an image that is linked to emotion in the mind of the audience. It is one thing to talk about racial injustice, it is quite another for the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to note that people have been “…battered by storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality.” Throughout his “I Have a Dream” speech the Reverend Dr. King uses the metaphor of the checking account to make his point.

He notes that the crowd has come to the March on Washington to “cash a check” and claims that America has “defaulted on this promissory note” by giving “the Negro people a bad check, a check that has come back “insufficient funds.” By using checking and bank account terms that most people are familiar with, the Reverend Dr. King is able to more clearly communicate what he believes has occurred. In addition, the use of this metaphor acts as a sort of “shortcut.” He gets his point across very quickly by comparing the problems of civil rights to the problems of a checking account.

In the same speech the Reverend Dr. King also makes use of similes, which also compare two things but do so using “like” or “as.” In discussing his goals for the Civil Rights movement in his “I Have a Dream” speech, the Reverend Dr. exclaims: “No, no we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down likewaters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Similes also help make your message clearer by using ideas that are more concrete for your audience. For example, to give the audience an idea of what a winter day looked like you could note that the “snow looked as solid as pearls.” To communicate sweltering heat you could say that “the tar on the road looked like satin.” A simile most of us are familiar with is the notion of the United States being “like a melting pot” with regard to its diversity. We also often note that a friend or colleague that stays out of conflicts between friends is “like Switzerland.” In each of these instances similes have been used to more clearly and vividly communicate a message.

Rythm refers to the patterned, recurring variance of elements of sound or speech. Whether someone is striking a drum with a stick or standing in front of a group speaking, rhythm is an important aspect of human communication. Think about your favorite public speaker. If you analyze his or her speaking pattern, you’ll notice that there is a certain cadence to the speech. While much of this cadence is a result of the nonverbal components of speaking, some of the cadence comes from the language that is chosen as well.

Alliteration

Remember challenging yourself or a friend to repeat a tongue twister “five times fast?” Perhaps it was “Sally sold seashells by the seashore” or “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.” Tongue twisters are difficult to say to say but very easy to remember. Why? Alliteration.  Alliteration  is the repetition of the initial sounds of words. Alliteration is a useful tool for helping people remember your message, and it’s as simple as taking a few minutes to see if there are ways to reword your speech so that you can add some alliteration—  this is a great time to use that thesaurus we talked about putting away early in this chapter. Look for alternative words to use that allow for alliteration in your speech. You might consider doing this especially when it comes to the points that you would like your audience to remember most.

Antithesis allows you to use contrasting statements in order to make a rhetorical point. Perhaps the most famous example of antithesis comes from the Inaugural Address of President John F. Kennedy when he stated, “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Going back to Reverend Jackson’s “Rainbow Coalition” speech he notes, “I challenge them to put hope in their brains and not dope in their veins.” In each of these cases, the speakers have juxtaposed two competing ideas in one statement to make an argument in order to draw the listener’s attention.

Parallel Structure and Language

Antithesis is often worded using parallel structure or language. Parallel structure is the balance of two or more similar phrases or clauses, and parallel wording is the balance of two or more similar words. The Reverend Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech exemplifies both strategies in action. Indeed, the section where he repeats “I Have a Dream” over and over again is an example of the use of both parallel structure and language. The use of parallel structure and language helps your audience remember without beating them over the head with repetition. If worded and delivered carefully, you can communicate a main point over and over again, as did the Reverend Dr. King, and it doesn’t seem as though you are simply repeating the same phrase over and over. You are often doing just that, of course, but because you are careful with your wording (it should be powerful and creative, not pedantic) and your delivery (the correct use of pause, volumes, and other elements of delivery), the audience often perceives the repetition as dramatic and memorable. The use of parallel language and structure can also help you when you are speaking persuasively. Through the use of these strategies you can create a speech that takes your audience through a series of ideas or arguments that seem to “naturally” build to your conclusion.

As we mentioned earlier in this chapter, one of the major differences between oral and written language is the use of  repetition . Because speeches are communicated orally, audience members need to hear the core of the message repeated consistently. Repetition as a linguistic device is designed to help audiences become familiar with a short piece of the speech as they hear it over and over again. By repeating a phrase during a speech, you create a specific rhythm. Probably the most famous and memorable use of repetition within a speech is Martin Luther King Jr.’s use of “I have a dream” in his speech at the Lincoln Memorial on August 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In that speech, Martin Luther King Jr. repeated the phrase “I have a dream” eight times to great effect.

Inclusive Language

Language can either inspire your listeners or turn them off very quickly. One of the fastest ways to alienate an audience is through the use of non-inclusive language. Inclusive language avoids placing any one group of people above or below other groups while speaking. Let’s look at some common problem areas related to language about gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disabilities.

Gender-Specific Language

The first common form of noninclusive language is language that privileges one of the sexes over the other. There are three common problem areas that speakers run into while speaking: using “he” as generic, using “man” to mean all humans and gender typing jobs.

Generic “He”

The generic “he” happens when a speaker labels all people within a group as “he” when in reality there is a mixed sex group involved. Consider the statement, “Every morning when an officer of the law puts on his badge, he risks his life to serve and protect his fellow citizens.” In this case, we have a police officer that is labeled as male four different times in one sentence. Obviously, both male and female police officers risk their lives when they put on their badges. A better way to word the sentence would be, “Every morning when officers of the law put on their badges, they risk their lives to serve and protect their fellow citizens.” Notice that in the better sentence, we made the subject plural (“officers”) and used neutral pronouns (“they” and “their”) to avoid the generic “he.”

Use of “Man”

Traditionally, speakers of English have used terms like “man,” “mankind,” and (in casual contexts) “guys” when referring to both females and males. In the second half of the twentieth century, as society became more aware of gender bias in language, organizations like the National Council of Teachers of English developed guidelines for nonsexist language (National Council of Teachers of English, 2002). For example, instead of using the word “man,” you could refer to the “human race.” Instead of saying, “hey, guys,” you could say, “OK, everyone.” By using gender-fair language you will be able to convey your meaning just as well, and you won’t risk alienating half of your audience.

Gender-Typed Jobs

The last common area where speakers get into trouble with gender and language has to do with job titles. It is not unusual for people to assume, for example, that doctors are male and nurses are female. As a result, they may say “she is a woman doctor” or “he is a male nurse” when mentioning someone’s occupation, perhaps not realizing that the statements “she is a doctor” and “he is a nurse” already inform the listener as to the sex of the person holding that job. Speakers sometimes also use a gender-specific pronoun to refer to an occupation that has both males and females.

The below table lists some common gender-specific jobs titles along with more inclusive versions of those job titles.

Ethnic Identity

Another type of inclusive language relates to the categories used to highlight an individual’s ethnic identity. Ethnic identity refers to a group an individual identifies with based on a common culture. For example, within the United States, we have numerous ethnic groups, including Italian Americans, Irish Americans, Japanese Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Cuban Americans, and Mexican Americans. As with the earlier example of “male nurse,” avoid statements such as “The committee is made up of four women and a Vietnamese man.” Instead, say, “The committee is made up of four women and a man” or, if race and ethnicity are central to the discussion, “The committee is made up of three European American women, an Israeli American woman, a Brazilian American woman, and a Vietnamese American man.” In recent years, there has been a trend toward steering inclusive language away from broad terms like “Asians” and “Hispanics” because these terms are not considered precise labels for the groups they actually represent. If you want to be safe, the best thing you can do is ask a couple of people who belong to an ethnic group how they prefer to label themselves.

Sexual Orientation

Another area that can cause some problems is referred to as heterosexism. Heterosexism occurs when a speaker presumes that everyone in an audience is heterosexual or that opposite-sex relationships are the only norm. For example, a speaker might begin a speech by saying, “I am going to talk about the legal obligations you will have with your future husband or wife.” While this speech starts with the notion that everyone plans on getting married, which isn’t the case, it also assumes that everyone will label their significant others as either “husbands” or “wives.” Although some members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender/transexual community will use these terms, others prefer for more gender neutral terms like “spouse” and “partner.” Moreover, legal obligations for same-sex couples may be very different from those for heterosexual couples. Notice also that we have used the phrase “members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender/transexual community” instead of the more clinical-sounding term “homosexual.”

The last category of exclusive versus inclusive language that causes problems for some speakers relates to individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Below are some other examples of exclusive versus inclusive language.

Use Familiar Language

The last category related to using language appropriately simply asks you to use language that is familiar both to yourself and to your audience. If you are not comfortable with the language you are using, then you are going to be more nervous speaking, which will definitely have an impact on how your audience receives your speech. You may have a hard time speaking genuinely and sincerely if you use unfamiliar language, and this can impair your credibility. Furthermore, you want to make sure that the language you are using is familiar to your audience. If your audience cannot understand what you are saying, you will not have an effective speech.

Jargon is a specialized language used by members of a profession. It is appropriate to use jargon when you know that your audience understands the terms you are using. Jargon is often used when communicating with other members of your profession.  It makes sense, for example, for a doctor performing a medical procedure to use jargon in speaking with the anesthetist, nurses, and other medical professionals, since all of those others understand the terms in the same way and the medical jargon eliminates the need for lengthy explanations.

However, jargon is not useful in situations in which your audience does not have the same technical or professional background. If some technical terms are absolutely necessary to your communication, be sure to explain each term and its context. Whether or not to use jargon is often a judgment call and one that’s sometimes easier to make in speaking than in writing. In an oral context, you may be able to know from immediate feedback whether or not your audience understands a technical term, based on their facial expressions or body language. If not, you can define the term immediately. If you must use jargon while speaking to a general audience, be sure to define your terms and err on the side of over-clarification.

Slang is language that some people might understand but that is typically not considered acceptable in formal conversation. It is informal language and can be a poor choice for a speaker because some members of your audience may not be familiar with the slang term(s) you use. Slang is often based on a very specific audience, defined by age, region, subculture, etc. If you are speaking to an audience that you know will understand and respond positively, you may choose to include that language in your speech. Otherwise, do not use slang, or you may confuse and frustrate audience members and cause them to lose interest in your speech. In addition, because slang is often not considered appropriate in formal and polite conversation, using it in your speech may communicate negative ideas about you to audience members. Don’t let a mindless use of slang negatively impact your audience’s perception of you and your message.

Using Stylized Language

Stylized language is language that communicates your meaning clearly, vividly and with flair. Stylized language doesn’t just make you sound better; it also helps make your speeches more memorable. Speakers who are thoughtful about using language strategies in their speeches are more memorable as speakers and therefore so too are their messages more unforgettable as well.

Personalized Language

We’re all very busy people. Perhaps you’ve got work, studying, classes, a job, and extracurricular activities to juggle. Because we are all so busy, one problem that speakers often face is trying to get their audience interested in their topic or motivated to care about their argument. A way to help solve this problem is through the use of language that personalizes your topic. Rather than saying, “One might argue” say “You might argue.” Rather than saying “This could impact the country in ways we have not yet imagined,” say “This could impact your life in ways that you have not imagined.” By using language that directly connects your topic or argument to the audience you better your chances of getting your audience to listen and to be persuaded that your subject matter is serious and important to them. Using words like “us,” “you,” and “we” can be a subtle means of getting your audience to pay attention to your speech. Most people are most interested in things that they believe impact their lives directly—make those connections clear for your audience by using personal language.

Key Takeaways

• Using concrete and specific language will increase audience understanding.
• Using vivid language will increase the audience’s interest in your presentation.
• Using inclusive language will help you to reach more audience members.

Clinton, W. J. (2005).  My life . New York, NY: Vintage Books, p. 421.

Iacopino, V., & Rasekh, Z. (1998).  The Taliban’s war on women: A health and human rights crisis in Afghanistan . Boston, MA: Physicians for Human Rights.

National Council of Teachers of English (2002).  Guidelines for gender-fair use of language . Retrieved from  http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/genderfairuseoflang .

Nordquist, R. (2009).  Mixed metaphor . Retrieved from About.com at  http://grammar.about.com/od/mo/g/mixmetterm.htm

Obama, B. (2008, January 20). The great need of the hour. Remarks delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta. Retrieved from  http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/the_great_need_of_the_hour.html

Licenses and Attributions

• Concrete, Precise, Specific Language, original content and content adapted from Technical Writing, Technical Writing Essentials, Introduction to Professional Writing, and Business Writing for Success; attributions below.  Authored by : Susan Oaks.  Project : Communications for Professionals.  License :  CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial
• Use Concrete, Sensory Language, material taken from Writing Commons.  Provided by : Writing Commons, http://writingcommons.org/open-text/collaboration/143-common-comments/word-choice-/538-use-concrete-sensory-language.  Located at :  https://courses.lumenlearning.com/technicalwriting/chapter/use-concrete-sensory-language-2/ .  License :  CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
• 2.2 Communicating with Precision.  Authored by : Suzan Last.  Provided by : University of Victoria.  Located at :  https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/chapter/communicatingprecision/ .  Project : Technical Writing Essentials.  License :  CC BY: Attribution
• 4.2 Plain Language.  Authored by : Melissa Ashman.  Located at :  https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/professionalcomms/chapter/4-2-plain-language/ .  Project : Introduction to Professional Communications.  License :  CC BY: Attribution
• 4.4 Concision.  Authored by : Melissa Ashman.  Located at :  https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/professionalcomms/chapter/4-4-concision/ .  Project : Introduction to Professional Communications.  License :  CC BY: Attribution
• 2.6 Improving Verbal Communication.  Provided by : University of Minnesota.  Located at :  https://open.lib.umn.edu/businesscommunication/chapter/2-6-improving-verbal-communication/ .  Project : Business Communication for Success.  License :  CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• video Concrete Language.  Provided by : Curriculum Pathways.  Located at :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVMcrchUpts .  License :  Other .  License Terms : YouTube video
• video Precise Language.  Provided by : TestPrepSHSAT.com.  Located at :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMNEWrs0GUM .  License :  Other .  License Terms : YouTube video
• image of target icon.  Authored by : Pettycon.  Provided by : Pixabay.  Located at :  https://pixabay.com/illustrations/target-icon-business-symbol-2579315/ .  License :  CC0: No Rights Reserved
• image of graffiti of Banksy girl with heart-shaped balloon, spray painted on a concrete wall.  Authored by : Zorro4.  Provided by : Pixabay.  Located at :  https://pixabay.com/photos/mural-girl-balloon-child-heart-1347673/ .  License :  CC0: No Rights Reserved
• Chapter 10 Constructing Clear and Vivid Messages.  Authored by : E. Michele Ramsey, Ph.D..  Provided by : Penn State Berks, Reading, PA.  Located at :  http://publicspeakingproject.org/psvirtualtext.html .  Project : The Public Speaking Project.  License :  CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
• German Shepherd.  Authored by : Magnus Brath.  Located at :  https://flic.kr/p/999gJ6 .  License :  CC BY: Attribution
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• Goth.  Authored by : Rama.  Located at :  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goth_f222791.jpg .  License :  CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Al Haig speaks to press 1981.  Authored by : Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.  Provided by : US Government.  Located at :  http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/photographs/large/c1429-31.jpg .  License :  Public Domain: No Known Copyright

Public Speaking Copyright © by Dr. Layne Goodman; Amber Green, M.A.; and Various is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Module Six: Preparing a Persuasive Speech

Using language well: constructing clear and vivid messages, use simple language.

When asked to write a speech or a paper, many of us pull out the thesaurus (or call it up on our computer) when we want to replace a common word with one that we believe is more elevated or intellectual. There are certainly times when using a thesaurus is a good thing, but if you’re pulling that big book out to turn a simple idea into one that sounds more complex, put it back on the shelf. Good speakers use simple language for two primary reasons.

First, audiences can sense a fake. When you turn in your term paper with words that aren’t typically used by people in everyday conversation and those words are simply replacing the common words we all use, your instructor knows what you’ve done. Part of having strong credibility as a speaker is convincing your audience of your sincerity, both in terms of your ideas and your character. When you elevate your language simply for the sake of using big words when small words will do, audiences may perceive you as insincere, and that perception might also transfer onto your message. In addition, the audience’s attention can drift to questions about your character and veracity, making it less likely that they are paying attention to your message.

Second, using a long word when a short one will do inhibits your ability to communicate clearly. Your goal as a speaker should be to be as clear as you possibly can. Using language that makes it more difficult for your audience to understand your message can negatively impact your ability to get a clear message across to your audience. If your audience can’t understand your vocabulary, they can’t understand your message.

“Al Haig speaks to press 1981” by Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Public domain.

A good example of a speaker whose communication was obstructed by language use is Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig. Some examples of his problematic language choice include: “careful caution,” “epistemologically wise,” “exacerbating restraint,” “saddle myself with a statistical fence,” and “definitizing an answer.” [1]  Chances are good that after reading these phrases over and over you still don’t understand him. You can imagine how much harder it would be to understand Haig’s message as it was delivered orally —spoken in an instant and then gone! Haig’s language clouds rather than clarifies ideas, but it is easy to make sure your message gets across to the audience by avoiding big words that are not necessary.

If you’re paying attention to the language strategies discussed in this chapter, you’ll find that you won’t need to pull out that thesaurus to impress your audience—your command of language will make that positive impression for you. In addition, when you use language that your audience expects to hear and is used to hearing you may find that the audience perceives you as more sincere than someone who uses elevated language and sounds pretentious. Remember: It is rarely the case that you should use a long word when a short one will do.

Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone. ~ Albert Einstein

Use Concrete and Precise Language

How many times a week do you say something to someone only to have them misunderstand? You believe that you were very clear and the person you were talking to thought that she understood you perfectly, and yet you both ended up with a problem we often deem “miscommunication.” You said you’d “call later” and your friend got angry because you didn’t. By “later” you probably meant one time frame while your friend defined that time frame very differently. Often in these cases both people are right. You were perfectly clear and your friend did  understand you perfectly—so how did the miscommunication happen?

“German Shepherd” by Magnus Bråth. CC-BY .

“Chopper Bothy 04” by John Hudson. CC-BY-NC-ND .

One of the primary reasons we miscommunicate is because language is an abstract phenomenon. Meanings exist in people’s understandings, not the words we use. Therefore, if you’re telling a story about “a dog” you could be talking about a German Shepherd while the person you’re talking with is envisioning a Chihuahua. If you do not use concrete language, you risk at least sending a weaker or different message than you intended. When speaking, you want to use the concrete term “German shepherd” over the more abstract term “dog.”

When you are writing your speech, look for words that you might need to define more clearly. Instead of talking about “bad weather,” tell the audience that it was raining or that hail the size of golf balls was coming down. “Bad weather” means different things to different people. In discussing the aftermath of a natural disaster, rather than saying “a lot of people were affected” say, “25,000 citizens, 1 in every 5, were affected by this disaster.” “A lot” means different things to different people. Most words mean different things to different people, so use concrete language over abstract words to better your chances of communicating your message as intended.

You also want to make sure that you’re precise. Someone might call a sweater “green” while someone else calls it “teal.” Even though those are just differences in perception not purposeful or mindless communication meant to be inaccurate, not being clear about exactly which color you’re talking about can lead to confusion. It is best to remember to be as precise as possible when choosing words. Don’t say something was “big”—tell us its weight or height, and to be sure you’re communicating clearly compare that weigh or height to something we understand. So, instead of saying “The piles of garbage I saw in the local dump were really big” say “The piles of garbage I saw in the local dump weighed about 10,000 pounds, which is equivalent to the weight of the average female elephant.” The more precise you are the less likely it is that your audience will misinterpret your message.

Our business is infested with idiots who try to impress by using pretentious jargon. ~ David Ogilvy

Another way to avoid language that obstructs communication is to avoid the use of jargon . Jargon is the “specialized language of a group or profession.” [2] It is appropriate to use jargon when you know that your audience understands the terms you are using. For example, if you are a computer science major and you are presenting to a group of similarly trained computer science majors, using jargon will help establish your credibility with that audience. Using terms even as basic as “RAM” and “binary code” with a general audience, however, will likely not go over well—you risk confusing the audience rather than informing or persuading them. Even people who can use computers may not know how they work or the technical terms associated with them. So you must be careful to only use jargon when you know your audience will understand it. If you must use jargon while speaking to a general audience, be sure to define your terms and err on the side of over-clarification.

Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands and goes to work. ~ Carl Sandburg

“Goth” by Rama. CC-BY-SA .

Finally, another way to avoid confusion is to avoid using slang when it is not appropriate. Slang is language that some people might understand but that is not considered acceptable in formal or polite conversation. Slang may be a poor choice for a speaker because some members of your audience may not be familiar with the slang term(s) you use. Slang is often based in a very specific audience, defined by age, region, subculture and the like. If you are speaking to an audience that you know will understand and respond positively, you may choose to include that language in your speech. Otherwise, do not use slang, or you may confuse and frustrate audience members and cause them to lose interest in your speech. In addition, because slang is often not considered appropriate in formal and polite conversation, using it in your speech may communicate negative ideas about you to audience members. Don’t let a mindless use of slang negatively impact your audience’s perception of you and your message.

• Time.com (1981, February 23). “Haigledygook and secretaryspeak.” Retrieved from http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949069,00.html ↵
• Hamilton, G. (2008). Public speaking for college and career, 8th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. ↵
• Chapter 10 Constructing Clear and Vivid Messages. Authored by : E. Michele Ramsey, Ph.D.. Provided by : Penn State Berks, Reading, PA. Located at : http://publicspeakingproject.org/psvirtualtext.html . Project : The Public Speaking Project. License : CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
• German Shepherd. Authored by : Magnus Brath. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/999gJ6 . License : CC BY: Attribution
• Chopper Bothy 04. Authored by : John Hudson. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/78MrFu . License : CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
• Goth. Authored by : Rama. Located at : http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goth_f222791.jpg . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Al Haig speaks to press 1981. Authored by : Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Provided by : US Government. Located at : http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/photographs/large/c1429-31.jpg . License : Public Domain: No Known Copyright

• Presentation Hacks

How to Use Language Effectively: Part 1

• By: Amy Boone

So much of being a great speaker is about how you use language. That’s why Michael and Susan Osborn included a language checklist in their text, Public Speaking: Finding Your Voice .

They call their list the 6 C’s of effective language use. These 6 categories will help us write effectively, avoid miscommunication, and succeed as speakers. They are clarity, color, concreteness, correctness, conciseness, and cultural sensitivity. Since that’s more than we can cover in one blog, we’ll divide these into two posts, covering 3 each day.

For today, we’ll be talking about how the clarity, color, and concreteness of language affect how effectively we are able to communicate with our audience.

In order for your presentation to be effective, your language has to be clear. Here’s the simple truth. We won’t listen long to something that is confusing. That means you need to be careful when writing your presentations. Part of that means resisting the urge to write your speech like you would write a paper or report. That can be tough since most of our education about language centers around writing. But written language differs from spoken language in a quite a few ways. In order to make your spoken language clearer, try these two tips:

Shorten your sentences. In writing, longer sentences can work because the reader can go back and reread if he or she doesn’t get it the first time. We don’t have that luxury with spoken language in live presentations, though. So stick to shorter sentences.

Don’t use big words or jargon. Simplify your language use. It doesn’t matter how smart you sound if your audience can’t understand what you are saying. Choose words that speak directly to your audience members, not over their heads. And weed out specialized or technical jargon that doesn’t make sense to those who are outside of the field that uses that vocabulary.

Don’t worry, we don’t mean “colorful” language in the way your grandmother might have meant it when she said, “don’t use that colorful language in my house!” So what exactly do we mean by color? Well, you can’t hear color can you? So colorful language is quite simply language that you can see . It is language that is heavily reliant on imagery and adjectives. Literarydevices.net says imagery functions “to generate a vibrant and graphic presentation of a scene that appeals to as many of the reader’s senses as possible.” Check out the list they’ve compiled of examples of imagery.

Interestingly, researchers have discovered that sentences with more colorful language activate more regions of our brain . In this particular study, participants’ brain activity was measured using fMRI scans. Researchers found more activity for the sentence “He had a rough day” than for “He had a bad day.” Why? The word “rough” is more colorful—it’s attached to sensory experience. So even just swapping out a word can make your language more effective.

Concreteness

Most of the words in your presentation won’t stick with the audience. In fact numerous studies have shown that we forget a significant portion of what we hear or learn within days. But concrete language can help your audience remember specifics longer because it impacts them on a deeper level. It’s all in the specific details. Here’s an example:

Abstract: My daughter Clara is an artist.

Concrete: When my daughter Clara comes home, she doesn’t take off her coat or shoes, but goes immediately to her art desk to draw. Sometimes I even find her sketching with her backpack still on.

See how you process the concrete example more easily and deeply? I basically told you the same information. But when you move away from general and abstract statements toward specific and concrete ones, you attach handles and faces and stories that the audience can both understand and remember.

Clarity, color, and concreteness are just the first three of Osborn and Osborn’s checklist to make sure we are using language effectively. Check back tomorrow for the other three ways they say we can elevate language use.

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• Diversity and Inclusion

14 Practical Tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills

• The Speaker Lab
• May 11, 2024

Table of Contents

Ever felt complete dread and fear at the thought of stepping up to deliver a presentation? If so, you’re not alone. The fear of public speaking is more common than you might think, but with the right presentation skills , it’s a hurdle that can be overcome.

In this article, we’ll help you master basic confidence-building techniques and conquer advanced communication strategies for engaging presentations. We’ll explore how body language and eye contact can make or break your connection with your audience; delve into preparation techniques like dealing with filler words and nervous habits; discuss tailoring content for different audiences; and much more.

Whether you’re prepping for job interviews or gearing up for big presentations, being prepared is key. With adequate practice and the proper attitude, you can crush your speech or presentation!

Mastering the Basics of Presentation Skills

Presentation skills are not just about speaking in front of a crowd. It’s also about effective communication, audience engagement, and clarity. Mastering these skills can be transformative for everyone, from students to corporate trainers.

Building Confidence in Presentations

Becoming confident when presenting is no small feat. But fear not. Even those who feel jittery at the mere thought of public speaking can become masters with practice and patience. Just remember: stage fright is common and overcoming it is part of the process towards becoming an effective presenter.

Taking deep breaths before you start helps calm nerves while visualizing success aids in building confidence. Also, know that nobody minds if you take a moment to gather your thoughts during your presentation—everybody minds more if they cannot understand what you’re saying because you’re rushing.

The Role of Practice in Enhancing Presentation Skills

In line with old wisdom, practice indeed makes perfect, especially when improving presentation skills. Consistent rehearsals allow us to fine-tune our delivery methods like maintaining eye contact or controlling body language effectively.

You’ll learn better control over filler words through repeated drills. Plus, the extra practice can help you troubleshoot any technical glitches beforehand, saving you the sudden panic during your actual presentations.

Remember that great presenters were once beginners too. Continuous effort will get you there sooner rather than later.

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Body Language and Eye Contact in Presentations

The effectiveness of your presentation can hinge on more than just the words you say. Just as important is your body language .

Impact of Posture on Presentations

Your posture speaks volumes before you utter a word. Standing tall exudes confidence while slouching could signal nervousness or lack of preparation.

If there’s one lesson to take away from our YouTube channel , it’s this: good presenters know their message but great ones feel it through every fiber (or muscle) of their being. The audience can sense that energy when they see open body language rather than crossed arms.

Maintaining Eye Contact During Your Presentation

Eyes are often called windows to the soul for a reason. They’re communication powerhouses. Making eye contact helps build trust with your audience members and keeps them engaged throughout your speech.

Avoid staring at note cards or visual aids too much as this might give an impression that you’re unprepared or uncertain about your chosen topic. Instead, aim to maintain eye contact between 50% of the time during presentations. This commonly accepted “50/70 rule” will help you exhibit adequate confidence to your audience.

If stage fright has gotten a hold on you, take deep breaths before you start speaking in order to stay calm. Make sure that fear doesn’t disrupt your ability to maintain eye-contact during presentations.

If body language and eye contact still feel like a lot to manage during your big presentation, remember our golden rule: nobody minds small mistakes. It’s how you handle questions or mishaps that truly makes a difference—so stay positive and enthusiastic.

Preparation Techniques for Successful Presentations

Presentation skills are like a craft that requires meticulous preparation and practice. Aspects like visual aids and time management contribute to the overall effectiveness of your delivery.

The first step towards delivering an impactful presentation is research and organization. The content should be well-researched, structured logically, and presented in simple language. This will make sure you deliver clear messages without any room for misinterpretation.

Dealing with Filler Words and Nervous Habits

Nervous habits such as excessive use of filler words can distract from your message. Luckily, there are plenty of strategies that can address these issues. For instance, try taking deep breaths before speaking or using note cards until fluency is achieved. In addition, practice regularly to work on eliminating these verbal stumbling blocks.

Avoiding Distractions During Presentations

In a digital age where distractions abound, maintaining focus during presentations has become an even more crucial part of the preparation process. This video by motivational speaker Brain Tracy provides insights on how one could achieve this level of focus required for effective presentations.

Maintaining Confidence Throughout Your Presentation

Confidence comes from thorough understanding of the chosen topic combined with regular practice sessions before the big day arrives. Make use of note cards or cue cards as needed but avoid reading from them verbatim.

Taking control over stage fright starts by arriving early at the venue so that you familiarize yourself with the surroundings, which generally calms nerves down considerably. So next time you feel nervous before a big presentation, remember—thorough preparation can make all the difference.

Engaging Your Audience During Presentations

Connecting with your audience during presentations is an art, and mastering it can take your presentation skills to the next level. Making the message conveyed reach an emotional level is essential, not just conveying facts.

Understanding Your Target Audience

The first step towards engaging your audience is understanding them. Tailor the content of your presentation to their needs and interests. Speak in their language—whether that be professional jargon or everyday slang—to establish rapport and ensure comprehension.

An effective presenter understands who they’re speaking to, what those individuals care about, and how best to communicate complex ideas understandably.

Making Complex Information Understandable

Dense data or complicated concepts can lose even the most interested listener if presented ineffectively. Breaking your key points down into manageable chunks helps maintain attention while promoting retention. Analogies are especially useful for this purpose as they make unfamiliar topics more relatable.

Audience Participation & Questions: A Two-Way Street

Incorporating opportunities for audience participation encourages engagement at another level. It allows listeners to become active participants rather than passive receivers of knowledge.

Consider techniques like live polls or interactive Q&A sessions where you invite questions from attendees mid-presentation instead of saving all queries until the end.

This gives you a chance not only engage but also address any misunderstandings right on spot.

• Treat each question asked as an opportunity—it’s evidence someone has been paying attention. Even challenging questions should be welcomed as they demonstrate an engaged, thoughtful audience.
• Encourage participation. It can be as simple as a show of hands or the use of interactive technologies for live polling during your presentation. This keeps your audience active and invested in the content.

Remember, your presentation isn’t just about putting on a show—it’s about meaningful interaction.

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Presentation Skills in Specific Contexts

Whether you’re nailing your next job interview, presenting an exciting marketing campaign, or delivering insightful educational content, the context matters. Let’s take a look.

The Art of Job Interviews

A successful job interview often hinges on effective communication and confidence. Here, the target audience is usually small but holds significant influence over your future prospects. Body language plays a crucial role; maintain eye contact to show sincerity and interest while open body language communicates approachability.

Bullet points summarizing key experiences are also helpful for quick recall under pressure. This allows you to present your chosen topic with clarity and positive enthusiasm without relying heavily on note or cue cards.

Pitching in Public Relations & Marketing

In public relations (PR) and marketing contexts, presentations need to capture attention quickly yet hold it long enough to deliver key messages effectively. Visual aids are valuable tools here—they help emphasize points while keeping the audience engaged.

Your aim should be highlighting presentation benefits that resonate with potential clients or partners, making them feel as though ignoring such opportunities would mean missing out big time.

Educational Presentations

An educational setting demands its own unique set of presentation skills where deep understanding trumps flashy visuals. You must make complex information understandable without oversimplifying essential details—the use of analogies can be beneficial here.

Keeping the audience’s attention is critical. Encourage questions and participation to foster a more interactive environment, enhancing learning outcomes for all audience members.

Tips for Becoming a Great Presenter

No single method is suitable for everyone when it comes to speaking in public. However, incorporating continuous improvement and practice into your routine can make you an exceptional presenter.

Tailor Your Presentation to Your Audience

Becoming an excellent speaker isn’t just about delivering information; it’s also about making a connection with the audience. So make sure that you’re taking setting, audience, and topic into consideration when crafting your presentation. What works for one audience may not work for another, so be sure to adapt your presentation styles according to the occasion in order to be truly effective.

The Power of Practice

The art of mastering public speaking skills requires practice —and lots of it . To become a great presenter, focus on improving communication skills through practice and feedback from peers or mentors. Try to seek feedback on every speech delivered and incorporate those pointers in your future presentations. Over time, this cycle of delivery-feedback-improvement significantly enhances your ability to connect with audiences and convey ideas effectively.

If you’re looking for examples of good speakers, our speech breakdowns on YouTube provide excellent examples of experienced presenters who masterfully utilize speaking techniques. Analyzing their strategies could give you great ideas for enhancing your own style.

Finding Your Style

A crucial part of captivating any audience lies in how you deliver the message rather than the message itself. Developing a unique presentation style lets you stand out as an engaging speaker who commands attention throughout their talk. Through — you guessed it — practice, you can develop a personal presentation style that resonates with listeners while showcasing your expertise on the chosen topic.

Your body language plays a pivotal role here: open gestures communicate confidence and enthusiasm towards your subject matter, two qualities essential for keeping audiences hooked. Similarly, using vocal variety adds dynamism to speeches by emphasizing points when needed or creating suspense during storytelling parts of your talk.

Cultivating Passion & Enthusiasm

Showcasing genuine passion for the subject helps keep listeners engaged throughout even lengthy presentations. Sharing stories related to the topic or expressing excitement about sharing knowledge tends to draw people in more than mere data recitation ever could.

Recognize that everybody is distinctive; don’t expect identical results from every speaker. The path to becoming a great presenter involves recognizing your strengths and working tirelessly on areas that need improvement.

FAQs on Presentation Skills

What are good presentation skills.

Good presentation skills include a clear message, confident delivery, engaging body language, audience understanding, and interaction. They also involve effective preparation and practice.

What are the 5 steps of presentation skills?

The five steps of presenting include: planning your content, preparing visual aids if needed, practicing the delivery aloud, performing it with confidence, and finally post-presentation reflection for improvements.

What are the 5 P’s of presentation skills?

The five P’s stand for Preparation (researching your topic), Practice (rehearsing your talk), Performance (delivering with confidence), Posture (standing tall), and Projection (using a strong voice).

What are your presentation skills?

Your personal set of abilities to deliver information effectively is what we call your presentation skill. It can encompass public speaking ability, clarity in speech or writing as well as visual communication talent.

Mastering presentation skills isn’t an overnight process, but practice and perseverance will put you well on your way to becoming an effective speaker.

You’ve learned that confidence plays a crucial role in effective presentations, so take deep breaths, make eye contact, and keep your body language open. As always, preparation is key. Tackle filler words head-on and get comfortable with visual aids for impactful storytelling.

Remember the importance of audience engagement — it’s all about understanding their needs and tailoring your content accordingly. This way, complex information turns into digestible insights.

Above all else: practice! After all, nothing beats experience when it comes to improving public speaking abilities.

• Last Updated: May 9, 2024

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PRDV104: Professional Etiquette

Barriers to effective communication.

Using clichés, jargon, slang, sexist and racist language, euphemisms, and doublespeak can create misunderstandings and miscommunication. We need to remove these barriers to make sure those who communicate with us can trust us. Read this article for a description of each type of barrier, examples of how they might be used, and suggestions for more effective ways to express yourself.

Language Can be an Obstacle to Communication

As you use language to make sense of your experiences, as part of our discussion, you no doubt came to see that language and verbal communication can work both for you and against you. Language allows you to communicate, but it also allows you to miscommunicate and misunderstand. The same system we use to express our most intimate thoughts can be frustrating when it fails to capture our thoughts, to represent what we want to express, and to reach our audience. For all its faults, though, it is the best system we have, and part of improving the communication process is the clear identification of where it breaks down. Anticipate where a word or expression may need more clarification and you will be on your way to reducing errors and improving verbal communication.

In an article titled "The Miscommunication Gap", Susan Washburn lists several undesirable results of poor communication in business:

• Damaged relationships
• Loss of productivity
• Inefficiency and rework
• Missed opportunities
• Schedule slippage (delays, missed deadlines)
• Scope creep…or leap (gradual or sudden changes in an assignment that make it more complex and difficult than it was originally understood to be)
• Wasted resources
• Unclear or unmet requirements

In this section we discuss how words can serve either as a bridge, or a barrier, to understanding and communication of meaning. Our goals of effective and efficient business communication mean an inherent value of words and terms that keeps the bridge clear and free of obstacles.

A  cliché  is a once-clever word or phrase that has lost its impact through overuse. If you spoke or wrote in clichés, how would your audience react? Let's try it. How do you react when you read this sentence: "A cliché is something to avoid like the plague, for it is nothing but a tired old war horse, and if the shoe were on the other foot you too would have an axe to grind"? As you can see, the problem with clichés is that they often sound silly or boring.

Clichés are sometimes a symptom of lazy communication – the person using the cliché hasn't bothered to search for original words to convey the intended meaning. Clichés lose their impact because readers and listeners tend to gloss over them, assuming their common meaning while ignoring your specific use of them. As a result, they can be obstacles to successful communication.

Let's pretend you've been assigned to the task of preparing a short presentation on your company's latest product for a group of potential customers. It's a big responsibility. You only have one opportunity to get it right. You will need to do extensive planning and preparation, and your effort, if done well, will produce a presentation that is smooth and confident, looking simple to the casual audience member.

What words do you use to communicate information about your product? Is your audience familiar with your field and its specialized terms? As potential customers, they are probably somewhat knowledgeable in the field, but not to the extent that you and your coworkers are; even less so compared to the "techies" who developed the product. For your presentation to succeed, your challenge is to walk a fine line between using too much profession-specific language on the one hand, and "talking down" to your audience on the other hand.

While your potential customers may not understand all the engineering and schematic detail terms involved in the product, they do know what they and their organizations are looking for in considering a purchase. Your solution may be to focus on common ground – what you know of their past history in terms of contracting services or buying products from your company. What can you tell from their historical purchases? If your research shows that they place a high value on saving time, you can focus your presentation on the time-saving aspects of your new product and leave the technical terms to the user's manual.

Jargon  is an occupation-specific language used by people in a given profession. Jargon does not necessarily imply formal education, but instead focuses on the language people in a profession use to communicate with each other. Members of the information technology department have a distinct group of terms that refer to common aspects in their field. Members of the marketing department, or advertising, or engineering, research, and development also have sets of terms they use within their professional community. Jargon exists in just about every occupation, independent of how much formal education is involved – from medicine and law; to financial services, banking, and insurance; to animal husbandry, auto repair, and the construction trades.

Whether or not to use jargon is often a judgment call, and one that is easier to make in speaking than in writing. In an oral context, we may be able to use a technical term and instantly know from feedback whether or not the receiver of the message "got it". If they didn't, we can define it on the spot. In written language, we lack that immediate response and must attend more to the context of receiver. The more we learn about our audience, the better we can tailor our chosen words. If we lack information or want our document to be understood by a variety of readers, it pays to use common words and avoid jargon.

Think for a moment about the words and expressions you use when you communicate with your best friends. If a coworker was to hang out with you and your friends, would they understand all the words you use, the music you listen to, the stories you tell and the way you tell them? Probably not, because you and your friends probably use certain words and expressions in ways that have special meaning to you.

This special form of language, which in some ways resembles jargon, is slang.  Slang  is the use of existing or newly invented words to take the place of standard or traditional words with the intent of adding an unconventional, nonstandard, humorous, or rebellious effect. It differs from jargon in that it is used in informal contexts, among friends or members of a certain age group, rather than by professionals in a certain industry.

If you say something is "phat", you may mean "cool", which is now a commonly understood slang word, but your coworker may not know this. As word "phat" moves into the mainstream, it will be replaced and adapted by the communities that use it.

Since our emphasis in business communication is on clarity, and a slang word runs the risk of creating misinterpretation, it is generally best to avoid slang. You may see the marketing department use a slang word to target a specific, well-researched audience, but for our purposes of your general presentation introducing a product or service, we will stick to clear, common words that are easily understood.

Sexist and Racist Language

Some forms of slang involve put-downs of people belonging to various groups. This type of slang often crosses the line and becomes offensive, not only to the groups that are being put down, but also to others who may hear it. In today's workplace there is no place where sexist or racist language is appropriate. In fact, using such language can be a violation of company policies and in some cases anti-discrimination laws.

Sexist language  uses gender as a discriminating factor. Referring to adult women as "girls" or using the word "man" to refer to humankind are examples of sexist language. In a more blatant example, several decades ago a woman was the first female sales representative in her company's sales force. The men resented her and were certain they could outsell her, so they held a "Beat the Broad" sales contest. (By the way, she won.) Today, a contest with a name like that would be out of the question.

Racist language  discriminates against members of a given race or ethnic group. While it may be obvious that racial and ethnic slurs have no place in business communication, there can also be issues with more subtle references to " those  people" or "you know how  they  are". If race or ethnicity genuinely enters into the subject of your communication – in a drugstore, for example, there is often an aisle for black hair care products – then naturally it makes sense to mention customers belonging to that group. The key is that mentioning racial and ethnic groups should be done with the same respect you would desire if someone else were referring to groups you belong to.

In seeking to avoid offensive slang, it is important not to assume that a euphemism is the solution. A  euphemism  involves substituting an acceptable word for an offensive, controversial, or unacceptable one that conveys the same or similar meaning. The problem is that the audience still knows what the expression means, and understands that the writer or speaker is choosing a euphemism for the purpose of sounding more educated or genteel.

Euphemisms can also be used sarcastically or humorously – "H-E-double-hockey-sticks", for example, is a euphemism for "hell" that may be amusing in some contexts. If your friend has just gotten a new job as a janitor, you may jokingly ask, "How's my favorite sanitation engineer this morning?" But such humor is not always appreciated, and can convey disrespect even when none is intended.

Euphemistic words are not always disrespectful, however. For example, when referring to a death, it is considered polite in many parts of the United States to say that the person "passed" or "passed away", rather than the relatively insensitive word, "died". Similarly, people say, "I need to find a bathroom" when it is well understood they are not planning to take a bath.

Still, these polite euphemisms are exceptions to the rule. Euphemisms are generally more of a hindrance than a help to understanding. In business communication the goal is clarity, and the very purpose of euphemism is to be vague. To be clear, choose words that mean what you intend to convey.

Doublespeak

Doublespeak  is the deliberate use of words to disguise, obscure, or change meaning. Doublespeak is often present in bureaucratic communication, where it can serve to cast a person or an organization in a less unfavorable light than plain language would do.

When you ask a friend, "How does it feel to be downsized?" you are using a euphemism to convey humor, possibly even dark humor. Your friend's employer was likely not joking, though, when the action was announced as a "downsizing" rather than as a "layoff" or "dismissal". In military communications, "collateral damage" is often used to refer to civilian deaths, but no mention of the dead is present. You may recall the "bailout" of the U.S. economy in 2008, which quickly came to be called the "rescue" and finally the "buy in" as the United States bought interests in nine regional and national banks. The meaning changed from saving an economic system or its institutions to investing in them. This change of terms, and the attempt to change the meaning of the actions, became common in comedy routines across the nation.

Doublespeak can be quite dangerous when it is used deliberately to obscure meaning and the listener cannot anticipate or predict consequences based on the (in)effective communication. When a medical insurance company says, "We insure companies with up to twenty thousand lives", is it possible to forget that those "lives" are people? Ethical issues quickly arise when humans are dehumanized and referred to as "objects" or "subjects". When genocide is referred to as "ethnic cleansing", is it any less deadly than when called by its true name?

If the meaning was successfully hidden from the audience, one might argue that the doublespeak was in fact effective. But our goal continues to be clear and concise communication with a minimum of misinterpretation. Learn to recognize doublespeak by what it does not communicate as well as what it communicates.

Each of these six barriers to communication contributes to misunderstanding and miscommunication, intentionally or unintentionally. If you recognize one of them, you can address it right away. You can redirect a question and get to essential meaning, rather than leaving with a misunderstanding that impacts the relationship. In business communication, our goal of clear and concise communication remains constant, but we can never forget that trust is the foundation for effective communication. Part of our effort must include reinforcing the relationship inherent between source and receiver, and one effective step toward that goal is to reduce obstacles to effective communication.

Key Takeaway

To avoid obstacles to communication, avoid clichés, jargon, slang, sexist and racist language, euphemisms, and doublespeak.

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by Tom Rielly • May 12, 2020

When giving presentations, either on a video conference call or in person, your slides, videos and graphics (or lack of them) can be an important element in helping you tell your story or express your idea. This is the first of a series of blog posts that will give you tips and tricks on how to perfect your visual presentations.

Your job as a presenter is to build your idea -- step-by-step -- in the minds of your audience members. One tool to do that is presentation graphics, such as slides and videos.

Why graphics for your presentation?

A common mistake is using slides or videos as a crutch, even if they don’t actually add anything to your presentation. Not all presentations need graphics. Lots of presentations work wonderfully with just one person standing on a stage telling a story, as demonstrated by many TED Talks.

You should only use slides if they serve a purpose: conveying scientific information, art, and things that are hard to explain without pictures. Once you have decided on using slides, you will have a number of decisions to make. We’ll help you with the basics of making a presentation that is, above all, clear and easy to understand. The most important thing to remember here is: less is more.

Less is so much more

You want to aim for the fewest number of slides, the fewest number of photos, the fewest words per slide, the least cluttered slides and the most white space on your slides. This is the most violated slide rule, but it is the secret to success. Take a look at these examples.

As you can see in the above example, you don’t need fancy backgrounds or extra words to convey a simple concept. If you take “Everything you need to know about Turtles”, and delete “everything you need to know about” leaving just “turtles”, the slide has become much easier for your audience to read, and tells the story with economy.

The above example demonstrates that a single image that fills the entire screen is far more powerful than a slide cluttered with images. A slide with too many images may be detrimental to your presentation. The audience will spend more mental energy trying to sort through the clutter than listening to your presentation. If you need multiple images, then put each one on its own slide. Make each image high-resolution and have it fill the entire screen. If the photos are not the same dimensions as the screen, put them on a black background. Don’t use other colors, especially white.

Your slides will be much more effective if you use the fewest words, characters, and pictures needed to tell your story. Long paragraphs make the audience strain to read them, which means they are not paying attention to you. Your audience may even get stressed if you move on to your next slide before they’ve finished reading your paragraph. The best way to make sure the attention stays on you is to limit word count to no more than 10 words per slide. As presentation expert Nancy Duarte says “any slide with more than 10 words is a document.” If you really do need a longer explanation of something, handouts or follow-up emails are the way to go.

Following a “less is more” approach is one of the simplest things you can do to improve your presentation visuals and the impact of your presentation overall. Make sure your visuals add to your presentation rather than distract from it and get your message across.

Ready to learn more about how to make your presentation even better? Get TED Masterclass and develop your ideas into TED-style talks.

© 2024 TED Conferences, LLC. All rights reserved. Please note that the TED Talks Usage policy does not apply to this content and is not subject to our creative commons license.

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Create an Effective Slide Deck

A great presentation depends on more than the high-quality information you’re sharing. Here are some essential principles to help you create a memorable slide deck. Choose the right fonts. Use sans serif fonts like Helvetica or Arial for a minimal look and better readability. Stick to two font styles throughout your presentation—one for headings and another […]

A great presentation depends on more than the high-quality information you’re sharing. Here are some essential principles to help you create a memorable slide deck.

Source: This tip is adapted from “How to Make a ‘Good’ Presentation ‘Great’” by Guy Kawasaki

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