Transcript Document

C
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11
Using Language
Stephen E. Lucas
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 2
Denotative Meaning
The literal or dictionary meaning of
a word or phrase.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 3
Connotative Meaning
The meaning suggested by the
associations or emotions triggered
by a word or phrase.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 4
Guidelines for Using
Language
• Accurately
• Clearly
• Vividly
• Appropriately
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 5
Abstract words
Words that refer to general concepts,
qualities, or attributes.
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 6
Concrete Words
Words that refer to tangible objects.
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 7
Abstract vs. Concrete
Language
Physical activity
Abstract
Sports
Golf
Professional golf
Tiger Woods
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Concrete
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 8
Imagery
The use of vivid language to create
mental images of objects, actions, or
ideas.
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 9
Simile
An explicit comparison, introduced
with the word “like” or “as,” between
things that are essentially different
yet have something in common.
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 10
Simile
“Air pollution is eating away at the
monuments in Washington, D.C.,
like a giant Alka-Seltzer tablet.”
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 11
Metaphor
An implicit comparison, not introduced
with the word “like” or “as,” between two
things that are essentially different yet
have something in common.
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 12
Metaphor
“America’s cities are the windows
through which the world looks at
American society.”
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Slide 13
Rhythm
The pattern of sound in a
speech created by the choice
and arrangement of words.
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 14
Parallelism
The similar arrangement of a pair
or series of related words, phrases,
or sentences.
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Slide 15
Parallelism
“Rich and poor, intelligent and
ignorant, wise and foolish, virtuous
and vicious, man and woman—it is
ever the same, each soul must
depend wholly on itself.”
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Slide 16
Repetition
Reiteration of the same word or set
of words at the beginning or end of
successive clauses or sentences
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Slide 17
Repetition
“We will not tire, we will not falter,
and we will not fail.”
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 18
Alliteration
Repetition of the initial consonant
sound of close or adjoining words.
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 19
Alliteration
“In a nation founded on the promise
of human dignity, our colleges, our
communities, our country should
challenge hatred wherever we find it.”
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 20
Antithesis
The juxtaposition of contrasting
ideas, usually in parallel structure.
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 21
Antithesis
“Ask not what your country can do
for you; ask what you can do for
your country.”
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 22
Using Language
Appropriately
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•
•
•
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Appropriateness to the occasion
Appropriateness to the audience
Appropriateness to the topic
Appropriateness to the speaker
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 23
Inclusive Language
Language that does not stereotype,
demean, or patronize people on the
basis of gender, race, religion,
disability, sexual orientation, or other
factors.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 24
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
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 25
Using Inclusive Language
• Avoid identifying personal traits
unrelated to the topic
• Use names that groups use to
identify themselves
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© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 26
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.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 27
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.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 28
Avoid Stereotyping Jobs and
Social Roles by Gender
Ineffective:
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Being a small businessman in
the current economic climate is
not easy.
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 29
Avoid Stereotyping Jobs and
Social Roles by Gender
More Effective: Being a small businessperson
in the current economic climate
is not easy.
OR
More Effective: Owning a small business is not
easy in the current economic
climate.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 30
Avoid Identifying Unnecessary
Personal Traits
Ineffective:
Condoleezza Rice, an AfricanAmerican 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.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 31
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.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.
Slide 32
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 Stephen E. Lucas. All rights reserved.