Using Words Wisely Allen Garner Wolf Pack Lauren

~ Using Words Wisely ~

Allen Garner "Wolf Pack"

Lauren Caitlin Upton

~ Thesis ~ You will learn that using words wisely requires you to understand your audience, determine your goal, choose your tone of message and make appropriate word choices are all key factors in presenting a clear and effective message

Learning Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Understanding your audience Determining your goal Making correct word choices Choosing tone of your message What to avoid How to improve

Understanding YOUR Audience Where is your audience Speaking at a comedy club is different then a high school graduation Higher level formal speech How well does your audience know about the topic No “jargon” if audience is unknowledgeable

Understanding YOUR Audience Who is your audience? Children Teenagers Business associates Elderly Foreigners

Children Clarity Positive Interactive Age appropriate vocabulary

Determining YOUR Goal What is your goal? Sell something Change an opinion or persuade To inform Educate Entertain

Choosing the RIGHT Words Clear and easy to understand Refrain from heavy reference to thesaurus If speaker doesn’t understand the word chances are neither will the audience speakers are more likely to stumble over unfamiliar words.

Choosing the RIGHT Words ~Conciseness~ Understand words MEANING Understand how to PROUNONCE the word It is best to get to the point ECG, a Communications Strategy Company, suggests speakers avoid "weasel” words "it seems to me” “what I want to say is" "what I'm getting at is. "

Choosing the RIGHT Words ~Repetition~ The most effective speech is one that audiences remember Repetition is common in persuasive speaking Example: President Obama’s Victory speech a great example: “but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. "

Deciding the TONE of your Speech Convey Emotion Engaging the audience Verb-driven language “Lets” technique Positive spin or negative spin

“Double Speaking” Replacing offensive words, with less offensive, more positive words Used Cars Sales Person Pre-owned Vehicles Business Consultant Interrogate Interview Contract Agreement Expensive Top of the Line Cheap More Economical Service Charge Processing Fee

Transitional Words Understand transitional word meanings From what point are you trying to transition to? Story-telling Cause & Effect Description Contrasting ideas

What to Avoid Slang “Filter” words Abbreviations/acronyms Profanity Blabbering

Lauren Caitlin Upton Re-Answers Question

How to Improve Understand requirements of your topic Avoid profanity, slang and abbreviations Use words to engage your audience Keep your sentences short and to the point But do not be too vague Practice

Works Cited Hopkins, Charles. "Proper Choice of Words in Public Speaking. " Ezilion Infobase. Ezilion Articles, 24 June 2006. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http: //www. ezilon. com/articles/1930/1/P roper- Choice-of-Words-in-Public-Speaking>. "Public Speaking: No Brainstoppers!" Www. public-speaking. org. Advanced Public Speaking Institute, 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http: //www. public-speaking. org/public-speaking-brainstoppersarticle. htm>. Reichert, Robin. "How to Use Words Effectively in Public Speaking. " EHow. Demand Media, 08 Dec. 2010. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. <http: //www. ehow. com/how_7619165_use-words-effectivelypublic-speaking. html>.

Works Cited (con’t) "The Rule of Verbal Packaging--The Leverage of Language. " The Rule of Verbal Packaging--The Leverage of Language. N. p. , 2012. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http: //westsidetoastmasters. com/resources/laws_persuasion/chap 8. html>. "Transitions and Linking Expressions. " A List of Common Transition Words for Public Speakers and Writers. N. p. , 2012. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http: //www. nhvweb. net/vhs/English/Ajones-taylor/ltaylor/translnk. htm>. Wong, Jack. "Public Speaking 101 -The Importance of Word Choice. " Ezine Articles. Spark. NET, 6 June 2012. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http: //ezinearticles. com/? Public-Speaking-101 ---The-Importance-of-Word-Choice--Part-II&id=7105417>.