Chapter 12 public speaking

Words have two kinds of meanings—______.

denotative and connotative

Although abstract words are necessary to express certain kinds of ideas, they are ______.

much easier to misinterpret than are concrete words

One of the biggest barriers to clear speech is ______.

using big, bloated words where short, sharp ones will do the job better

Simile

An explicit comparison, introduced with the word "like" or "as," between things that are essentially different yet have something in common.

clutter

Discourse that takes many more words than are necessary to express an idea

connotative meaning

The meaning suggested by the associations or emotions triggered by a word or phrase.

Language has a rhythm created by the ______.

choice and arrangement of words

As the United States has become more diverse, our language has ______ to reflect that diversity.

evolved

Using ______ is as vital to a speaker as using numbers accurately is to an accountant.

language accurately

As a speaker, you should be aware of the meanings of _______.

words and know how to use language accurately, clearly, vividly, and appropriately