LANGUAG
E USE
STUDY THE PICTURE BELOW:
In speaking, misplaced stress can change the
meaning of the statement. In the same manner
as in writing, a single punctuation mark can
change the meaning of an idea.
LANGUAGE USE: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
It is important that you make good choices when it
comes to language use because how you use language
affects the tone of the text and the readers’
interpretation of it. Before writing, you have to think
about and consider your target audience.
LANGUAGE USE: WHAT IS IT?
It refers to the channel used to convey the message. It
can either be visual or textual, formal, or informal
verbal and non-verbal. Note that you need to follow the
standard form and usage of language in professional
writing.
In choosing the appropriate words for writing, you must
bear in mind your audience and purpose.
Appropriate language increases one’s credibility,
strengthens his argument and keeps his audience. Major
issues with appropriate language use include levels of language
formality, deceitful language and euphemism, slang and
idiomatic expressions; using group-specific jargon; and
biased/stereotypical language.
LANGUAGE USE: HOW TO DO IT?
In writing, you must be aware of synonyms and antonyms.
Synonyms are words that are similar in meaning while antonyms
are words that are opposite in meaning. You must use these words
appropriately and you must avoid the idea of impressing your
readers by using uncommon words. The goal in writing is to make
your readers understand what you want to say in the clearest way
possible.
LANGUAGE USE: HOW TO DO IT?
Diction effective writing requires mastery of the language
you are using. One way of showing one’s mastery of the language
in writing is through the appropriate use of words or diction.
Diction effective writing requires mastery of the language you are
using. One way of showing one’s mastery of the language in
writing is through the appropriate use of words or diction.
LANGUAGE USE: WHAT TO AVOID?
Colloquial words are words used in informal
communication like the words used in the street or
in casual conversation. Some colloquial words are
vulgar and derogatory therefore you must avoid
using them.
LANGUAGE USE: WHAT TO AVOID?
Archaic words are old and obsolete words.
These words exist in a particular period in
history, and it can be confusing if it will be
used in the present time.
LANGUAGE USE: WHAT TO AVOID?
Jargon or technical words should be avoided in
writing since they are used by groups of people in
particular profession. These words are unfamiliar for
most people and if included in writing, then you must
describe or define them first, making your text longer
LANGUAGE USE : E XAM PL E S(IN A FORM AL TEXT)
Determine when it is appropriate to use formal language
or when informal language is acceptable. Informal
language is usually used in writing for oneself or in
writing to family, friends, and colleagues. On the other
hand, formal language is used in writing academic,
business, and official texts.
LANGUAGE USE: EXAMPLE
1. We asked the secretary to call the professor and get her
permission for us to continue our research. (INFORMAL)
2. We requested that the secretary contact the professor and
obtain her permission for us to continue our research.
(FORMAL)
LANGUAGE USE: EXPLANATION
In the first sentence, the writer used casual words such as
asked, call, and get permission, which made the sentence
informal.
The second sentence used more serious words such as
requested instead of asked, contact instead of call, and
obtain permission instead of get permission.
LANGUAGE USE: DIRECT AND SIMPLE
When you write, you should also make sure that
the language you use is direct and simple rather than
complicated so that readers would easily understand
the text. If your readers are the youth, then you should
use words that are familiar to young people.
LANGUAGE USE: EXAMPLE
Why Sunglasses Are a Must-Have for Kids
An Excerpt)
Most parents know how damaging the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can be to our
skin, which is why they dutifully slather sunscreen on their kids during the summer. But one thing
that often gets overlooked is protecting their children’s eyes. According to vision-care experts, kids
receive three times more UV exposure than adults annually, yet less than 30 percent of parents
currently protect their children’s eyes with sunglasses. The reason for concern is that children and
adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the sun’s rays because their ocular lenses are not mature
enough to filter UV light as effectively as adults, causing damage to the retina.
LANGUAGE USE: EXPLANATION
The entire text uses simple words. This lets
readers easily understand the significance of
letting kids wear sunglasses.
LANGUAGE USE: BIAS-FREE
You should also be sensitive enough to use unbiased
language so that you will not offend any individual or
any particular group of people. Unbiased language is
language that is free of racial bias, free of religious bias,
and free of gender bias.
LANGUAGE USE: EXAMPLE
1. A teacher should make it a point to motivate her
students.
2. Teachers should make it a point to motivate their
students.
LANGUAGE USE: EXPLANATION
In the first sentence, the pronoun used is her, but teachers may
also be male, so the statement shows gender bias. The second
sentence, on the other hand, makes use of the gender-neutral
pronoun their, making it unbiased
GROUP ACTIVITY
INSTRUCTION: Identify and group
the WORDS inside the box whether it
is INFORMAL or FORMAL.
WORDS
• UTILIZE BREAK DOWN WEALTHY GO AGAINST
• USE COLLAPSE RICH OPPOSE
• UNDERSTAND DRESS SAY NO YOUNG
• COMPREHEND GARMENT REJECT YOUTHFUL
• ENTIRE A LOT OF PERHAPS LIVELY
• WHOLE NUMEROUS MAYBE ENERGETIC
USING ON APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE
1. LEVELS OF FORMALITY
2. IN-GROUP JARGON
3. SLANG AND IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS
4. DECEITFUL LANGUAGE AND EUPHEMISMS
5. BIASED LANGUAGE
1. LEVELS OF FORMALITY
Writing in a style that your audience
expects and fits your purpose is key to
successful writing.
2. IN-GROUP JARGON
refers to specialized language used by groups
of likeminded individuals. Only use in-group
jargon when you are writing for members of that
group. You should never use jargon for a general
audience without first explaining it.
3. SLANG AND IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS.
Avoid using
slang and idiomatic
expressions in general
academic writing.
4. DECEITFUL LANGUAGE AND EUPHEMISMS.
In writing, avoid For example, it is more correct to
say "persons with disabilities"
using euphemisms and or "differently-abled persons"
other deceitful language. than to call someone
"handicapped," "crippled," or
even "disabled." In these cases,
it is important to use what is
considered correct by the group in
question
5. BIASED LANGUAGE
Avoid using biased
language including
language with a racial,
ethnic group, or gender bias
or language that is
stereotypical.
The writer’s choices about language can affect or aid his
argument. Since written language is the representation of
a spoken language, certain conversations must be
considered. It is believed that an effective language has
the features of concreteness, conciseness, familiarity,
preciseness, constructiveness and appropriately.
SIX CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE
1. Concrete and Specific Language
2. Concise Language
3. Familiar Language
4. Precise and Clear Language
5. Constructive Language
6. Formality of language
1. CONCRETE AND SPECIFIC LANGUAGE
Concrete language includes descriptions
which create tangible images with details the
reader can visualize.
Abstract language is vague and obscure and
does not bring to mind specific visual images.
EXAMPLE
He is a bad roommate.
He is lazy and discourteous.
He is untidy and unclean.
He doesn't clean up his messes.
He leaves his dirty dishes on the kitchen counter.
2. CONCISE LANGUAGE
A hallmark of effective writers is the
ability to express the desired message in
as few words as possible. Good writers, in
other words, use language which is
straightforward and to-the-point.
EXAMPLE
1) It is widely discussed by employees that Notice how long-winded these
many of them will be forced to change
jobs and take on new responsibilities
sentences are, and how easily
when the merger takes place between they could be shortened and
the two companies. simplified.
2) Before making a decision about whether An important part of revising
the person on trial is guilty or innocent
in this case, the members of the jury
and editing involves rephrasing
should be sure to carefully think about, sentences to avoid excessive
ponder and reflect on all the important wordiness by eliminating
and relevant testimonies in the case.
redundancies and fillers.
3. FAMILIAR LANGUAGE
is that which the readers easily recognize and understand
because they use it on a regular basis. One of the most
important functions of language is to build homophily or a
sense of commonality with one's readers. Language, which is
foreign and unfamiliar to the reader tends to emphasize the
differences between writer and reader and makes the message
difficult to understand. By using language that is familiar to
the reader, the message is likely to have more impact.
EXAMPLE
An assignment given to a class of business students by their philosophy
professor:
"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.”
4. PRECISE AND CLEAR LANGUAGE
The use of appropriate language is a tricky matter because
the meaning of words is relative and situational. This implies
that words can be interpreted in different ways by different
people in different situations. For this reason, it is important to
choose the language that is as precise and clear as possible. The
more precise and clear one's use of language becomes, the
fewer the number of possible interpretations for a message.
Clarity decreases the potential misinterpretations.
EXAMPLE
1) Include your children when Baking Cookies
2) Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers
should be Belted
3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in
Ten Years
5. CONSTRUCTIVE LANGUAGE
Constructive language phrases a potentially
negative message in a positive way, whereas
destructive language directs blame and criticism
toward the reader, creating defensiveness. Readers
are likely to become defensive when the writer's
language expresses any or all of the following:
EXAMPLE
"Your job performance recently has been
unacceptable, and there are no excuses for it. You
have claimed that you are having some serious
personal problems, but even if this is true, you
cannot allow it to affect the quality of your work. If
your work doesn't improve, I'll have to replace you
with someone else.”
6. FORMALITY OF LANGUAGE
The formality of the language one
uses should match the formality of
the situation and the relationship
between the writer and reader.
EXAMPLE
Very Formal: Exceedingly large segments of the population
are expressing their discontent with medical practitioners
who appear to be 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.
EXAMPLE
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.
ACTIVITY:
Identify the following Informal words and
change it into Formal words.
Ex:
Informal-I have a lot of Facebook friends.
Answer:
Formal-I have numerous Facebook friends.
INFORMAL TO FORMAL
1. People use a huge amount of Glutathione in their body.
2. See you next week.
3. I’m sorry to tell you that I’m not single.
4. The activity is about to start.
5. I can’t deal with those kind of persons.
6. Thanks for your time and consideration.
7. We don’t know if the medicine works for this kind of pain.
8. If you have any questions, just let me know.
9. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.
10. Can you give me some more information?
