Stephen E. Lucas C H A P T E R McGraw-Hill© 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. 11 Using Language

Slide 2 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Denotative Meaning The literal or dictionary meaning of a word or phrase.

Slide 3 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Connotative Meaning The meaning suggested by the associations or emotions triggered by a word or phrase.

Slide 4 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Guidelines for Using Language Accurately Clearly Vividly Appropriately

Slide 5 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Abstract words Words that refer to general concepts, qualities, or attributes.

Slide 6 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Concrete Words Words that refer to tangible objects.

Slide 7 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Abstract vs. Concrete Language Physical activityAbstract Sports Golf Professional golf Tiger WoodsConcrete

Slide 8 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Imagery The use of vivid language to create mental images of objects, actions, or ideas.

Slide 9 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Using Imagery

Slide 10 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Simile An explicit comparison, introduced with the word “like” or “as,” between things that are essentially different yet have something in common.

Slide 11 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Simile “Air pollution is eating away at the monuments in Washington, D.C., like a giant Alka-Seltzer tablet.”

Slide 12 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Metaphor An implicit comparison, not introduced with the word “like” or “as,” between two things that are essentially different yet have something in common.

Slide 13 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Metaphor “America’s cities are the windows through which the world looks at American society.”

Slide 14 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Using Metaphor

Slide 15 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Rhythm The pattern of sound in a speech created by the choice and arrangement of words.

Slide 16 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Using Rhythm

Slide 17 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Parallelism The similar arrangement of a pair or series of related words, phrases, or sentences.

Slide 18 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Parallelism “The denial of human rights anywhere is a threat to human rights everywhere. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Slide 19 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Repetition Reiteration of the same word or set of words at the beginning or end of successive clauses or sentences

Slide 20 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Repetition “We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.”

Slide 21 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Alliteration Repetition of the initial consonant sound of close or adjoining words.

Slide 22 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Alliteration “We should not demean our democracy with the politics of distraction, denial, and despair.”

Slide 23 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Antithesis The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, usually in parallel structure.

Slide 24 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Antithesis “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Slide 25 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Using Language Appropriately Appropriateness to the occasion Appropriateness to the audience Appropriateness to the topic Appropriateness to the speaker

Slide 26 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Inclusive Language Language that does not stereotype, demean, or patronize people on the basis of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or other factors.

Slide 27 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Using Inclusive Language Avoid the generic “he” Avoid the use of “man” when referring to both men and women Avoid stereotyping jobs and social roles by gender

Slide 28 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Using Inclusive Language Avoid identifying personal traits unrelated to the topic Use names that groups use to identify themselves

Slide 29 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Avoid the Generic “He” Ineffective:Each time a surgeon walks into the operating room, he risks being sued for malpractice. More Effective:Each time a surgeon walks into the operating room, she or he risks being sued for malpractice.

Slide 30 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Avoid the Use of “Man” When Referring to Both Men & Women Ineffective:If a large comet struck the earth, it could destroy all of mankind. More Effective:If a large comet struck the earth, it could destroy all human life.

Slide 31 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Avoid Stereotyping Jobs and Social Roles by Gender Ineffective:Being a small businessman in the current economic climate is not easy.

Slide 32 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Avoid Stereotyping Jobs and Social Roles by Gender More Effective:Owning a small business is not easy in the current economic climate. More Effective:Being a small businessperson in the current economic climate is not easy. OR

Slide 33 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Avoid Identifying Unnecessary Personal Traits Ineffective:Condoleezza Rice, an African- American woman, has had a major impact on U.S. foreign policy. More Effective:Condoleezza Rice has had a major impact on U.S. foreign policy.

Slide 34 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved. Use Names that Groups Use to Identify Themselves Ineffective:Despite progress in recent years, homosexuals still face many forms of discrimination. More Effective:Despite progress in recent years, lesbians and gay men still face many forms of discrimination.

Slide 35 McGraw-Hill © 2004 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.