Chapter 12: Using Words Well: Speaker Language and Style

Vocabulary flashcards covering speaker language, word choice, stylistic figures, cadence, and delivery concepts from Chapter 12 of Public Speaking Handbook.

Language

The system of symbols (words) that we use to think about and communicate experiences and feelings.

Ladder of Abstraction

A continuum illustrating language from broad, general concepts (Abstract) at the top down to specific, sensory details (Concrete) at the bottom.

Concrete Words

Words that appeal to the physical senses and sit low on the ladder of abstraction.

Jargon

Specialized or technical language that speakers should avoid in order to maintain clear, simple communication.

Denotation

The literal or dictionary definition of a word.

Connotation

The associations, feelings, or implied meanings connected to a word beyond its literal definition.

Oral Style

A style of communication that is more personal, less formal, and more repetitive than written language style.

Standard American English

The standard language style used to adapt to diverse listeners by avoiding ethnic-specific terms, regionalisms, and jargon.

Crisis Rhetoric

Language used by speakers during momentous or overwhelming times.

Metaphor

A figure of speech involving an implied comparison between two things without using "like" or "as" (e.g., Erik Stolhanske's phrase "everyone has a 'wooden leg' of some kind").

Simile

A figure of speech that directly compares two things using words such as "like" or "as" (e.g., Scott Davis comparing naysayers to Henny Pennys).

Personification

The attribution of human qualities or characteristics to nonhuman things or abstract ideas (e.g., Franklin Roosevelt stating "Nature still offers her bounty…").

Cadence

The rhythm and flow of language created through stylistic structures such as repetition, parallelism, and onomatopoeia.

Repetition

The use of a key word or phrase more than once for emphasis (e.g., John Kerry repeating "It was true…").

Parallelism

The use of the same grammatical pattern for two or more clauses or sentences (e.g., Barack Obama's use of "We are enriched… We are governed… We are fueled…").

Onomatopoeia

A word that is pronounced like its meaning, such as "buzz" or "murmur".

Vocalics

The nonverbal vocal elements of speech delivery, including volume, projection, vocal variety, and avoiding filler words.

Rate

The speed at which a speaker delivers words.