Page 259 - Essentials of Human Communication

238 Chapter 12 Public Speaking Preparation and Delivery (Steps 7–10)

● Use active verbs. Favor verbs that communicate activity. Try selecting verbs that will
enable listeners to visualize an action—verbs like dance, climb, and run, for example.
● Use figures of speech. A figure of speech is a stylistic device in which words are used
beyond their literal meaning. One of the best ways to achieve vividness is to use figures of
speech. Table 12.1 presents a few that you may find helpful.
● Use imagery. Inject vividness into your speech by appealing to the audience’s senses, espe-
cially their visual, auditory, and tactile senses. Using imagery can make your listeners see,
hear, and feel what you’re talking about. Visual imagery enables you to describe people or
objects in images the audience can see. When appropriate, describe visual qualities such as
height, weight, color, size, shape, length, and contour. Let your audience see the sweat pouring
Take a look at “Most Annoying down the faces of coal miners. Auditory imagery helps you appeal to your listeners’ sense of
Phrases” at tcbdevito.blogspot hearing. Let them hear the car screeching or the roar of angry protesters. Tactile imagery
.com. What’s the most annoying enables you to make listeners feel the temperature or texture you’re talking about. Let them feel
phrase to you? the cool water running over their bodies, the fighter’s punch, or the sand beneath their feet.

apprOpriateness

Appropriate language is consistent in tone with your topic, your audience, and your own self-
image. It’s language that does not offend anyone or make anyone feel uncomfortable; it seems
natural given the situation. Here are some guidelines to help you choose appropriate language:
● Speak at the appropriate level of formality. Although public speaking usually takes place
in a somewhat formal situation, relatively informal language seems to work best in most
situations. One way to achieve a more informal style is to use contractions: don’t instead
of do not, wouldn’t instead of would not. Contractions give a public speech the sound and
rhythm of conversation—a quality listeners generally like.
● Avoid written-style expressions. Avoid expressions that are more familiar in writing, such
as “the former” or “the latter” as well as expressions such as “the argument presented
above.” These make listeners feel you’re reading to them rather than talking with them.
● Avoid slang and vulgar and offensive expressions. Be careful not to offend your audience
with language that embarrasses them or makes them think you have little respect for
them. Although your listeners may use such expressions, they generally resent their use
by public speakers. Above all, avoid terms that might be interpreted as sexist, heterosexist,
ageist, or racist (see Chapter 4).
TABle 12.1 Figures of speech
These are only a few of the many figures of speech you can use in your speeches. Too many are likely to make your speech
sound unnatural and overly formal, so use these sparingly. On the other hand, a good figure of speech goes a long way
toward making your speech memorable. Can you think of additional examples for each of the types identified here?
Figure of speech/ definition examples
Alliteration Repetition of the same initial consonant sound in Choose from our fifty famous flavors!
two or more words close to one another The basement was dirty, dingy, dark, and dank.
Hyperbole Use of extreme exaggeration I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
They steamrolled the bill through Congress.

Metaphor Comparison of two unlike things She’s a lion when she’s angry.
He’s a bear when it comes to his investments.

Personification Attribution of human characteristics to inani- This room cries out for color.
mate objects My car needs some expert attention.
Simile Comparison of two unlike objects using the words like They attacked each other like warriors.
or as The teacher is as gentle as a lamb.

Rhetorical Question A question used to make a statement or Doesn’t everyone want to be popular?
produce some desired effect rather than to secure the answer, Who wouldn’t want to get promoted?
which is obvious