Effective use of language

And the last post for this week is a task that is connected with the effective use of language.

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
Every new sentence becomes more concrete and specific. The first one is abstract, while the two last sentences are more concrete and specific than others. The highlighted sentences show exactly what the roommate is bad at.
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
Here we can observe the same. Two last sentences concrete why they don’t get along with each other.

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 the two companies.
The employees discuss that they will be forced to change jobs when the 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.
Making a decision about the guilt or innocence of the person, the jury should carefully think about all the important testimony in the case.

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 assignment is to analyze the relation of the Existentialist perspective to the contemporary life. Also you need to list the points of your analysis in your article.

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 (30 %)
 (3) certainly (100%)
 (4) unlikely (20%)
 (5) perhaps(50%)
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 – depends on the salary
 hot – depends on the person’s sensibility
 intelligent – depends on the knowledge
 good – depends on the character
 spicy – depends on the 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.
Person may mean that he differs from others in a bad way or in a good one. (For example, he is clever or crazy).


Task. Each of the following are actual headlines printed in newspapers. Notice  and explain their double meaning.

(1) Include your children when Baking Cookies
The first meaning is that the children should help their parents to bake cookies.
The second one is that the children should be an ingredient for the cookies.
(2) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
The first meaning is that people can’t see the sign because of the board.

The second one is the board blocks the entrance.
(3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years
The first meaning is that two different killers were sentenced to the death in past ten years.
The second one is that the same killer was sentenced to the death in past ten 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."
Student can say: “Sorry, but I don’t understand the lectures clearly. May you explain me them one more time, please? If you have enough time.”
(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."
Instructor can say: “This material was complicated. So I’ll help you with explanation of it with pleasure.”

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 – exploit- use
facilitate - assist - help   
impediment – obstacle - stop
comprehend – befall - understand
erroneous – improper - incorrect

That's it! See you soon!

By CAMOMILE