1. Public Speaking Choosing Effective Language

2. Language reflects culture • What we say identifies where we came/come from • Soda, pop, coke • Gender plays a role in language • Females say plum, lavender, lilac • Males say purple

3. Words & Meaning • Denotative meaning – dictionary definition • Ambiguous meaning – words that stand for more than one idea. • Pot • Round container • Sum of money • Enclosed frame to catch fish, lobster • Marijuana • ruin

4. Words & Meaning • Connotative meaning – emotional overtones words carry • Police officers • Can be positive or negative depending on experiences • Jargon – specialized, technical vocabulary

5. What to avoid • Language that shows favoritism • Sexist language • Ageist language • Racist language • Nonparallel language • Actor-actress • male nurse-female judge • Stereotypes • Athletes as stupid • Native Americans as alcoholics

6. What to Avoid • Slurs • Little old lady, gramps, old hag • Dismissive language • Over the hill, white trash • Emphasis on differences • Latina nurse or African American professor

7. Use Language Effectively • Use accurate language • know pronunciations and definitions • Be appropriate • Speak to audience – use language for audience

8. Be Interesting • Alliteration • “Choose change or chase it.” • Rhyming • Repetition • Important words, phrases • Personification • Hyperbole • Metaphor • Simile