 Connotative vs. Denotative  Accuracy › Synonyms—which is appropriate?

 Avoid jargon, technical language, etc.  Use language familiar to your audience  Abstract vs. Concrete  Avoid redundancy and other clutter

 Use vivid language › Imagery(e.g. concrete words, similes, metaphors) › Rhythm (e.g. parallelism, repetition, alliteration, antithesis)

 Must consider… › The occasion › The audience › The topic › You, as a speaker

 Use inclusive language  Avoid offensive, insensitive language  Examples of what NOT to use › The generic “he” › Stereotypes and Gender roles › Names that groups do NOT use to identify themselves (e.g. homosexual vs. gay)

 Practicing your language use  As you go through the activity, think about: › What descriptive language would be helpful? › How would vivid language be helpful? › Would concrete words be more helpful? › Should you use connotative meaning or denotative meaning?