Effective Use of Language

Effective Use of Language

Characteristics of Effective Language

There are six main characteristics of effective language. Effective language is: (1) concrete and specific, not vague and abstract; (2) concise, not verbose; (3) familiar, not obscure; (4) precise and clear, not inaccurate or ambiguous; (5) constructive, not destructive; and (6) appropriately formal.

1.      Concrete and Specific Language.

Task. Study the examples below. Which is more concrete and specific? What effect is created?

He is a bad roommate
He is lazy and discourteous
He is untidy and unclean
He doesn't clean up his own messes
He leaves his dirty dishes on the kitchen counter
Your relationship with John is unacceptable
You do not get along well with John
You and John have a lot of arguments
You and John insult each other too much
You and John call each other derogatory names
The statement at the top is abstract, but the statements become increasingly concrete and specific toward the bottom.

2. Concise Language

Task. Shorten the sentences above to avoid wordiness.

 (1) It is widely discussed by employees that many of them will be forced to change jobs and take on new responsibilities when the merger takes place between the two companies.
(2) Before making a decision about whether the person on trial is guilty or innocent in this case, the members of the jury should be sure to carefully think about, ponder and reflect on all of the important and relevant testimony in the case.
(1) It is widely discussed by employees that many of them will be forced to change jobs when the two companies merge.
(2) Before determining the defendant's guilt or innocence, the members of the jury should be sure to reflect on all of the important and relevant testimony in the case.

3. Familiar Language

Task. Consider the following examples. An assignment given to a class of business students by their philosophy professor.  Paraphrase it using familiar language.

"The presently assigned paper necessitates an eloquently articulated analysis of the Existentialist perspective as it pertains to contemporary living. You should adumbrate the points which represent the sine qua non /ˌsIni kwɑː ˈnɒn/ of your analysis."
“This article requires an eloquently formulated analysis of the perspective of Existentialism, as it relates to modern life. You should list the points which represent the main part of your analysis."

4. Precise and Clear Language

Task. Consider the following words. What numerical value would you assign to each of them? If something is "probable what percentage of the time does it occur?, etc.
 (1) probable 50%
 (2) doubtful 30%
 (3) certainly 100%
(4) unlikely 10%
(5) perhaps 40%
Consider the following example. The question "Is that Toyota an expensive car?" is best answered with a comparison: "Compared to that Honda, the Toyota is expensive. Compared to that Lexus, it is inexpensive."
Consider the adjectives below, mind their the potential ambiguity
expensive- it depends on people's salary
 hot - it depends on the temperature
intelligent- it depends on unbringing people
 good - it depends on people's opinion
spicy- it depends on tastes
Consider the following example. Note the potential confusion or ambiguity in this phrase. What is meant here by the adjective “interesting”?
 He's an interesting individual.
To be interesting means having a perspective that's different from the usual. An interesting person is someone who can keep other people entertained. For example: some can be an expert in a certain field and can captivate that audience, some are great story tellers and etc.
Task. Each of the following are actual headlines printed in newspapers. Notice and explain their double meaning.

(1) Include your children when Baking Cookies - This sounds like you should put your children into the cookie dough – intended meaning: have your children help you when you bake cookies.
(2) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board - Blocked by board means that the executive board refused to allow the window was put there to restrict access
(3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years - This could mean that for the second time in ten years the same killer was sentenced to a death sentence, or it could mean that two separate killers were sentenced to death sentence within ten years

5. Constructive Language

Task. Consider the following examples. Constructive language phrases a potentially negative message in a positive way, whereas destructive language directs blame and criticism toward the reader, creating defensiveness. Change the use of language to make these examples more constructive.

(1) Student to instructor: "You have confused me so badly with your lectures that I don't know what to do. I am considering dropping out and taking the class next quarter from Dr. Johnstone, who can explain the information much more clearly. I don't want to drop out, but I have never been so frustrated with an instructor in my whole life."
(2) Instructor to student: "I have never had a student who was so confused with this material. Perhaps you should take an easier course from an easier professor. It makes no difference to me."

(1) Student to instructor: “I don't understand your lectures and don't know what to do with it. Could you help me?”

(2) Instructor to student: “Of course, I will help you with this material.”

6. Formality of Language.

Notice the difference in formality in the following.

Very Formal: Exceedingly large segments of the population are expressing their discontent with medical practitioners who appear more engrossed in amassing financial assets than in providing efficacious care to people with health disorders.

Formal: A large number of consumers are complaining about medical doctors who are apparently more interested in making money than in providing effective health care.

Informal: A lot of people are unhappy with their doctors who only seem to care about how much money they make, and not about giving their patients good care.

Task. Find synonyms to the following words. Notice the difference in formality between the two words in pairs. Either word might be equally appropriate, depending upon the reader and situation.

Utilize - use, employ, apply

transpire - detect, happen, occur

facilitate - help, promote, encourage

expedite - accelerate, hasten

impediment - difficulty, obstacle, barrier

comprehend - know, understand, grasp

erroneous – mistaken, incorrect, false, wrong