Tips: Choosing the Right Words
Perfecting Your Communication: Choosing the Right Words
When presenting a speech, we want to make the most of our delivery. We are aiming to give a speech that is clear, effective and memorable. There are strategies we can utilize when writing and delivering our speech to ensure it is effective.
Oral language is less formal than written language. While they share many similarities, each focuses on different aspects. Spoken language must be instantly clear to listeners. It often includes repetition to help the audience retain key points. When addressing an audience, you should speak as informally as you would in a one-on-one conversation. Using familiar words and concepts can capture interest, maintain attention, and enhance understanding. Craft your speech in a conversational style.
Speeches are more effective when delivered in ‘active voice’ rather than ‘passive voice. Active voice is produced when the subject of a sentence performs an action represented by the verb i.e. Subject (doer) –>Verb –> Object (receiver). Active voice gives improved clarity and a more engaging style. Passive voice is commonly used in scientific writing.
E.g. Active: Amy perfected the design.
Passive: The design was perfected by Amy.
Short sentences have a powerful impact, grabbing attention and emphasizing key points succinctly. When these are balanced with medium-length sentences, your speech becomes more rhythmic and easier for listeners to follow. This varied sentence structure helps maintain the audience’s engagement, preventing monotony and enhancing comprehension. Additionally, the strategic use of pauses within these mixtures enhances dramatic effect and allows for better absorption of information.
Avoid swearing and vulgar language in your speech. Most people are uncomfortable with obscenities. Avoid words that are obscure, vague or cryptic. If you need to use jargon, ensure that you keep it to a minimum and give an explanation to the word(s) used.
Long, complex words rarely impress an audience. Short, one-syllable words are more effective and memorable. Using words with three or more syllables can confuse listeners. Review your word choices and replace lengthy words with simpler alternatives.
Use vivid, expressive words to create mental pictures and convey emotion and action, making your message memorable. Aim to say a lot with few words and avoid unnecessary fillers. Replace long phrases with concise, descriptive words or shorter phrases.
Literary devices can really boost your speech! A simile uses “like” or “as” to make comparisons, such as “As sleepy as a cat in the sun.” A metaphor, on the other hand, just hints at the comparison. “She has a heart of gold.” Alliteration is all about repeating the initial sounds or stressed syllables in words, making phrases like “unnoticed and unused” stick in your mind. Triads are super effective too, grouping ideas in threes to give your speech a nice rhythm and dramatic flair, like saying “Your body, your mind and your spirit.”
When preparing your speech, carefully select words, making sure they are clear, accurate, colourful and as short as possible. Pay attention to sentence construction and length. Analyse your words and sentences to be certain they communicate your exact meaning to the audience.
Watch this powerful speech by Mohammed Qahtani, The Power of Words
