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

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 last sentences are the most concrete and specific, because they describe the situations in detail and tell us straightforward, what is the real thing that bothers the speaker. If somebody is a bad roommate, it can be caused by hundreds of reasons, probably the person wants to create ambiguity, because not certain if the reason is serious enough or wants to express the general attitude to his neighbor. At the same time, concrete sentences are more meaningful and let us visualize the described situation.

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.
(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) It is widely discussed that many employees will be forced to change their jobs when the two companies merge.

(2) Before making a decision whether the defendant is guilty or innocent, the members of the jury should reflect on all the important and relevant 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 of your analysis."

"The assigned paper requires a clearly formulated analysis of the Existentialist perspective in its relation to modern life. You should represent in outline the necessary conditions 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 30% (3) certainly 90-100% (4) unlikely 10-15% (5) perhaps 60-70%

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 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. – This phrase is really ambiguous, because without the context we can not understand even whether the connotation is negative or positive. This person can be inspiring, unusual or strange and causing troubles.



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

(1) Include your children when Baking Cookies – (invite your children to help or bake them too?)
(2) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board (which board exactly?)
(3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years (2 different killers or the same one?)

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."
(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) Student to instructor: "I am really confused with the lectures you give and do not know what to do. I am considering taking the class next quarter from Dr. Johnstone, although I don't want to drop out, but I can not continue like this anymore."

(2) Instructor to student: "I had no idea that there was such a problem. Perhaps another course with another professor will make difference. The choice is yours".

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 

Formal	Neutral
Utilize	use
facilitate	contribute
impediment	obstruction/obstacle
comprehend	understand
erroneous	wrong