As a writer, it is important not only to consider what you say, but how it is said by you. To communicate effectively, it isn’t enough to have well organized ideas expressed in complete and coherent sentences and paragraphs. One must also consider the style, tone and clarity of his/her writing, and adapt these elements to the audience that is reading. Again, analyzing an individual’s audience and purpose is key to effectiveness that is writing. To be able to select the most effective language, the writer must look at the objective associated with the document, the context for which it really is being written, and who can be reading it.

Characteristics of Effective Language

Concrete language includes descriptions which create tangible images with details your reader can visualize. Abstract language is vague and obscure, and does not think of specific visual images. Look at the two sets of statements below. The statement at the top is abstract, however the statements become increasingly specific and concrete toward the underside.

He could be a roommate that is bad is lazy and discourteous
He could be untidy and unclean
He does not clean up his very own messes
He leaves his dirty dishes regarding the kitchen counter

Your relationship with John is unacceptable
you don’t go along well with John
both you and John have plenty of arguments you and John too insult each other much
You and John call each other derogatory names

Notice exactly how much more effective the statements become since the language gets to be more concrete and specific. The statements at the top, which tend to be more abstract, may be interpreted in many possible ways, and leave many questions answered. The statements at the bottom, that are more concrete, are less ready to accept interpretations that are multiple.

A hallmark of effective writers is the power to express the required message in as few words as possible. Good writers, to phrase it differently, use language which can be straightforward and to-the-point. Consider the examples that are following.

(1) it really is widely discussed by employees that numerous of them will likely to be forced to change jobs and take on responsibilities that are new the merger takes place involving the two companies.
(2) before deciding about if the person on trial is guilty or innocent in this case, the people in the jury must be certain to carefully think about, ponder and reflect on all of the important and testimony that is relevant the outcome.

Notice how long-winded these sentences are, and just how easily they could be shortened and simplified. An essential part of revising and editing involves re-phrasing sentences to eliminate wordiness that is excessive. One method to reduce wordiness would be to eliminate redundant words or phrases. Consider example one above. The phrases „to alter jobs“ and „take on new responsibilities“ are redundant, and could be combined into one short phrase to be expressed more concisely.

Consider example two above. The phrase „. should be sure to carefully think about, ponder and think on. “ contains 3 ways of saying the same task. This sentence could possibly be improved making use of only work on homework one regarding the phrases that are key „. to reflect on. „

A second method to reduce wordiness is always to eliminate „filler“ words which serve no purpose into the sentence. Consider example one above. Replace the phrase „. if the merger takes place between the two companies“ with „. when the two companies merge.“ Consider example two above. Notice the excessive wordiness in the following phrase: „Before making the decision about whether the person on trial is guilty or innocent in this case . “ This sentence could simply read: „Before determining the defendant’s guilt or innocence. „

Familiar language is that that your readers easily recognize and understand because they utilize it on a frequent basis. One of the most important functions of language is always to build „homophily“ or a feeling of commonality with a person’s readers. Language that is foreign and unfamiliar to your reader has a tendency to emphasize the distinctions between writer and reader, and makes the message difficult to understand. The message is likely to have more impact by using language that is familiar to the reader.

Think about the examples that are following.

An assignment given to a course of business students by their philosophy professor:
„The presently assigned paper necessitates an eloquently articulated analysis regarding the Existentialist perspective when it comes to living that is contemporary. You should adumbrate the points which represent the sine qua non of one’s analysis.“

A letter sent to school that is high warning them for the risks of an unhealthy diet:
„Individuals who maintain a diet of high fat content are exposed to an elevated danger of developing atherosclerosis, that will be a buildup of fat deposits on the inner walls of the arteries. This disorder can lessen or cut off the flow of blood in the arteries serving the most important organs regarding the body. This can result in poor health.“

In both examples above, the language which is used is unfamiliar to your readers. The message loses its impact as a result.

Precise and Clear Language

The usage of appropriate language is a matter that is tricky the meaning of words is relative and situational. Put another way, words could be interpreted in numerous ways by different people in various situations. For this reason, it is important to choose language that will be as precise and clear as you can. The greater amount of precise and one that is clear usage of language becomes, the fewer the amount of possible interpretations for a message. Consider the words that are following. What value that is numerical you assign every single of them? If something is „probable what percentage for the time does it occur? P>

(1) probable
(2) doubtful
(3) certainly
(4) unlikely
(5) perhaps

Would other people assign the value that is same these words as you did? In fact, the range of values varies greatly mainly because terms are relative: they can mean various things to different people in different situations. How could one be more precise in his/her usage of these terms?

Think about the examples below. Realize that these terms can vary widely into the meaning to different people. The way that is best to use such relative terms, then, is always to compare them to something concrete and „known“ into the reader. An expensive car?“ is best answered with a comparison: „Compared to that Honda, the Acura is expensive for example: „Is that Acura. In comparison to that Lexus, it is inexpensive.“

expensive
hot
intelligent spicy that is good

Consider the examples that are following. Note the confusion that is potential ambiguity during these phrases.

(1) Why the student body should continue in this state of apathy is not understandable.
(2) Our student body is dull and slack-minded.
(3) The practice and theory of politics are studied in the classroom but habits that are political campus usually do not appear to benefit from such labor.
(4) He’s an individual that is interesting.
(5) It is difficult to estimate the number of people suffering from AIDS.

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

(1) Include your kids when Baking Cookies
(2) Safety Experts Say School Buss Passengers must be Belted
(3) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
(4) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 years
(5) Eye Drops Off Shelf

In short, it is advisable to imagine carefully about your range of words and their interpretations that are potential. To communicate effectively, precise and language that is clear essential.