Public speaking

MEANING OF WORDS
Denotative
Connotative

DENOTATIVE MEANING
The literal or dictionary meaning
of a word or phrase

CONNOTATIVE MEANING
The meaning suggested by the associations or emotions triggered by a word or phrase

Use Language Accurately

THESAURUS
A book of synonyms

Use Language Clearly

CONCRETE WORDS
Words that refer to
tangible objects

ABSTRACT WORDS
Words that refer to
ideas or concepts

Arrange from most abstract to most CONCRETE

• housing complex
• building
• dining room
• structure
• apartment

Arrange from most abstract to most CONCRETE

• Mona Lisa
• art
• painting
• creative activity
• portrait

Arrange from most abstract to most CONCRETE

• automobile
• vehicle
• Ferrari
• transportation
• sports car

Eliminate Clutter

CLUTTER
Discourse that takes many more words than are necessary to express an idea

Using Language Vividly

IMAGERY
The use of vivid language to create mental images of objects, actions, or ideas

CLICHE
A trite or overused expression

METAPHOR
An implicit comparison, not introduced with the word "like" or "as", between 2 things that are essentially different yet have something in common.

RHYTHM
The pattern of sound in a speech created by the choice and arrangement of words

PARALLELISM
The similar arrangement of a pair or series or related words, phrases or sentences

REPETITION
Reiteration of the same word or set of words at the beginning or end of successive clauses or sentences

ALLITERATION
Repetition of the initial consonant sound of close or adjoining words

ANTITHESIS
The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, usually in parallel structure

USE LANGUAGE APPROPRIATELY

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE