Effective Use of Language
This week, we had to do some exercises on how to use the language effectively. Let's see what we got!
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 (2) doubtful (3) certainly (4) unlikely (5) perhaps
(1) probable - half (50%) (2) doubtful - not so much (20-30%) (3) certainly - absolutely right (100%)(4) unlikely - almost wrong (10-20%) (5) perhaps - maybe (40%)
Consider the adjectives below, mind their the potential ambiguity
Expensive hot intelligent good spicy
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.
Each of the following are actual headlines printed in newspapers. Notice and explain their double meaning.
5. Constructive Language
1. Concrete and Specific Language.
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
I believe that in the second paragraph the sentences are more concrete and specific. Thanks to them, an understanding is created that we are talking about a person who is not a very good neighbor.
2. Concise
Language
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) The
employees discuss that they will be forced to change jobs when two companies
merge.
(2) Making
a decision about guilt or innocence of the person, the jury should carefully
think about all the important testimony in the case.
3. Familiar
Language
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."
“The
assignment is to analyze the Existentialist perspective in contemporary life.
Don’t forget to list the points of your analysis.”
4. Precise and Clear Language
(1) probable - half (50%) (2) doubtful - not so much (20-30%) (3) certainly - absolutely right (100%)(4) unlikely - almost wrong (10-20%) (5) perhaps - maybe (40%)
Consider the adjectives below, mind their the potential ambiguity
Expensive hot intelligent good spicy
Expensive – a salary;
Hot – personal attitude of a person;
Intelligent
– intelligence;
Good – the moral qualities of a person;
Spicy –
a taste.
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.
humorous
shade - strange or different person.
Each of the following are actual headlines printed in newspapers. Notice and explain their double meaning.
(1) Include your children when Baking Cookies
(2) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
(3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years
(2) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
(3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years
(1) to invite
another person to be a part of something, such as a job or project
(2) the
board that stops people from seeing the sign
(3) two people in ten years were sentenced to die5. Constructive Language
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."
(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) I don't understand anything in these lectures. Can you help me
with explaining the information much more clearly, please?
(2) Of course. I’ll help you to understand this material
6. Formality
of Language.
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 facilitate impediment comprehend
erroneous
utilize - apply, employ
facilitate - help, promote
impediment - barrier, difficulty
comprehend - appreciate, envision
erroneous - false, mistaken
Have a nice day!
Thank you, Dana! I did these exercises, too! I liked it! They are useful!
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