Download File

LECTURE 2
ADAPTING YOUR WORDS TO YOUR
READERS
*It shows you are considerate of your reader’s
time and energy.
* Different readers should understand the parts of
your message that are of value to them.
* Define any specialized vocabulary used for the
non-experts.
* Using familiar language means using the language
that most of us use in everyday conversation.
* The more common word for1.Endeavor
2.Perform
3.Initiate
4.Demonstrate
5.Discontinue
* Studies of readability shows that short words
generally communicate better than long words.
* Rewrite the following sentence using short words
–
They acceded to the proposition to undertake
a collaborative venture.
They agreed to work with us.
* Use slang and popular clichés with caution.
* Be careful with business clichés “state of the
art”, “cutting edge” etc.
* Overuse of such clichés begin to sound like
replacement for thinking.
* There is a risk of sounding out of date.
* Creates confusion in cross cultural
communication.
* Technical words and acronyms are useful and
often necessary when speaking to someone in
the same field of work.
* Miscommunication occurs when these words are
used with people outside.
* Be careful when using acronyms as some might
not be widely recognized.
* Good business communicators will use words
with sharp and clear meanings, with the right
emotional tone.
* Choosing such words means being concrete,
specific, and sensitive to the shades of meaning.
* Concrete words stand for things that the reader
can see, feel, taste, smell or count.
* Whereas abstract words can often be vague.
* Be careful when using tricky words that sound
alike or nearly alike but with different
meanings, for example- “Affect” and “Effect”.
* Idioms which are word combination should be
used appropriately. For example- “listen at”
(faulty idiom) “listen to” (correct idiom).
* Overuse of the verb “to be” and passive voice
can sap the energy from your sentences.
* “A sentence with a verb that can take a direct
job(the recipient of the action) can be written
either in a direct (active) pattern or an indirect
(passive) pattern.”
* Example- The auditor inspected the books
(active); The books were inspected by the
auditor (passive).
* When a verb is camouflaged, the verb describing
the action in a sentence takes the form of a
noun.
* Then the sentence becomes long as other words
need to be added.
* For example- acquire (Action verb)
acquisition (Noun form)
Make an acquisition (wording of camouflaged
verb)
* Avoid masculine pronouns for both sexes.
* Avoid using words that derived from masculine
word. Use gender neutral substitute.
* Masculine pronouns can be avoided in three
ways.
1.Reword the sentence to eliminate the offending
word.
2.Make the reference plural.
3.Use gender neutral expressions.
Avoid using words that stereotype by*Age
*Race
*Nationality
*Disabilities