Effective Use of Language

Characteristics of Effective Language

There are six main characteristics of effective language. Effective language is: (1) concrete and specific, not vague and abstract; (2) concise, not verbose; (3) familiar, not obscure; (4) precise and clear, not inaccurate or ambiguous; (5) constructive, not destructive; and (6) appropriately formal.

1.     Concrete and Specific Language.

Task. 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
I think that the last two statements sound concrete and specific in comparison with others. Other statements do not really contain the main information, that is why they sound vague. It is difficult to understand the root of the problem when you read them. But as for the last two statements, they make the situation clear, because the speaker tells true facts without putting labels. I suppose that the effect of strictness, clarity is created.
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
The same thing here too. We understand more about the conflict with the help of last two statements.

2. Concise Language

Task. 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 two companies.

(1) Many employees say that they will have to change jobs and take on new responsibilities when two companies merge.

(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.

(2) The jury should carefully think about all of the important and relevant testimony in the case before claiming that the person on trial is guilty or innocent.

3. Familiar Language

Task. 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 task is to analyze the Existentialist perspective in contemporary life. You should list the points of your analysis.”

4. Precise and Clear Language

Task. 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 -50%

(2) doubtful -15%

(3) certainly -100%

(4) unlikely -5%

(5) perhaps – 35%

Consider the following example. The question "Is that Toyota an expensive car?" is best answered with a comparison: "Compared to that Honda, the Toyota is expensive. Compared to that Lexus, it is inexpensive."
Consider the adjectives below, mind their the potential ambiguity
Expensive – we call something expensive considering the high price of a thing in comparison with other things and the money we have.
hot – we can call the weather, liquids, temperature, even food (sometimes even people) etc. hot depending on our senses and feelings. E.g: -The weather today is boiling hot, I can’t stand it. –Really? I think it is just a little warmer today than yesterday.
Intelligent – we say that somebody or something (remark, decision, question) is intelligent if he/she/it shows intelligence, knowledge. If we talk about intelligence of people we should keep in mind that everyone has their own perception of “clever/ intelligent” people. Some would say that a person is intelligent whereas others would call him an idiot. Even technologies can be regarded as intelligent but this is used in the meaning that intelligent software, systems are designed to be able to react to different situations in a similar way to humans.
 good – the good can sometimes be the bad to other people and vice versa. But generally we call something good if it is a positive thing.
Spicy – if we call the food spicy it means that it is flavored with spices that is hot to the taste. However, we should understand that people have different levels of sensitivity and there are tons of various cuisines of different nationalities. Somebody is used to eat spicy food, that is why he/she does not even think that it is hot to the taste. Also we can use “spicy” in the meaning of “exciting, interesting, especially because of being shocking or dealing with sexual matters ” (e.g about books).
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.
We can think that a person is interesting because he has extraordinary personality, has a lot of knowledge, life experience, hobbies etc. But we can also call somebody “interesting” because we want to hide out true thoughts about him/her (if we think that a person is quite weird and acts strangely).  
Task. Each of the following are actual headlines printed in newspapers. Notice  and explain their double meaning.

(1)  Include your children when Baking Cookies

This phrase means that parents should involve their kids in the process of cooking. But the double meaning is that parents should use children as an ingredient when baking cookies and add them into flour.
(2) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board

A drive-in bank is the type of bank that one can visit without getting out of his/ her car. The executive board did allow the window OR somebody put some board (wood) there to not let people enter.

(3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years

The true meaning of this sentence – two killers were sentenced to death in 10 years. The double meaning – one and the same person died twice in 10 years.

5. Constructive Language

Task. 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."

Excuse me, now I am having difficulties with understanding the material. Could you explain the information from your lectures more clearly so that I won’t have to drop out, please?

(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."

I am sorry that my explanations caused difficulties, but there were no such cases before in my teaching practice. I will consider your words, but probably you should take some other course if you like.

6. Formality of Language.

Notice the difference in formality in the following.

Very Formal: Exceedingly large segments of the population are expressing their discontent with medical practitioners who appear more engrossed in amassing financial assets than in providing efficacious care to people with health disorders.

Formal: A large number of consumers are complaining about medical doctors who are apparently more interested in making money than in providing effective health care.

Informal: A lot of people are unhappy with their doctors who only seem to care about how much money they make, and not about giving their patients good care.

Task. 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 (very formal)– make use of (informal), employ, exploit (formal).

Facilitate (very formal)– assist (very formal), help (formal).

Impediment (very formal) – obstacle, obstruction (formal).

Comprehend (formal)– make sense of (informal).

Erroneous (very formal) – inexact, inaccurate (formal).