Vivid Words

The words in your speech should appeal to the senses, helping the audience to see, hear, feel, taste and smell. They should stir the audience's imagination and be so descriptive that the audience can visualize what you are saying. Instead of stating, "Alice's feet hurt as she walked to town" say, "As Alice trudged along the dirt road to town, she grimaced in pain as the blisters on her aching feet swelled." Instead of saying, "This proposal will result in more money for our school" say, "This proposal will boost the school's income by $20,000, enough to buy new textbooks and classroom supplies for the next year."

Select verbs carefully. Verbs conveying action add power to your presentation. As you write your speech, use verbs that have energy. Shake, roll and wiggle have more energy than move. Bellow, shout, whisper, scream or whine could replace speak. Hobble, creep and trudge could be used instead of walk.

Use active voice. In the English language, sentences have a voice. This voice is defined by the verb in the sentence. The verb indicates whether the subject performs the action. In the active voice, the subject does something. "The club elected Marion president"; "We reviewed the programs." The active voice clearly states who is doing what. In the passive voice, something is done to the subject. "Marion was elected president by the club"; "The programs were reviewed by us." The active voice uses fewer words, is easier to follow and sounds more lively and interesting.

The verbs is, are, was and were weaken your message because they don't show action. Instead of saying, "There are two remaining proposals' say "Two proposals remain": "Restricting automobile traffic in our parks is a way to protect the trees and wildlife" can be changed to "We can protect the trees and wildlife in our parks by restricting automobile traffic." "It is a fact that Barbara is a candidate" can be changed to "Barbara announced her candidacy."

Incorporate Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical devices are special ways of arranging words to make an idea or thought sound more pleasing and easier for listeners to remember. Some of the more effective devices are:

o Simile. A simile is a comparison that uses the words like or as. "If we deny our children an education, ignorance will grow like a cancer."

o Metaphor. A metaphor merely implies the comparison. "Ignorance is a cancer that must be cured."

o Alliteration. In alliteration, the initial sounds in words or in stressed syllables within the words are repeated in a pleasing or memorable manner: "Unnoticed and unused," "hallowed halls," "protect and preserve peace."

o Triads. Ideas, adjectives and points are grouped in threes. Expressed in threes, thoughts have a pleasant rhythm, are dramatic, and become more memorable. "We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

Use Words Economically

Strive to say a lot in as few words as possible. Many words are unnecessary or are used as "fillers," and they detract from and dilute your message. For example, phrases such as as you know, needless to say, it has been shown that can be eliminated. Replace clichés such as tried and true and quick as a flash with more appropriate, descriptive words or phrases.

Other phrases can be reduced to one or two words. A large number of can be reduced to many. At the present time can become now, and in the event of can become if Conduct an investigation of can be reduced to investigate; take into consideration can be changed to consider, exhibits a tendency can become tends; in view of the fact can be reduced to because.

Pay attention to redundant words, too, such as sum total, joint collaboration, future plans, unexpected surprise and new record. The extra words have no meaning or value.