Elocution is a big word which seems to betray its meaning: the art of speaking clearly and well, with correct enunciation.  Enunci- what?  Enunciation is another fancy word which means to speak clearly.   The words you choose to use are critical.  Oratory, the art of speaking in public with style, cogency and grace is yet another word which fails to be what it describes.  When you speak clearly, your words, your message and your audience, find common ground.

Big words stick out like, well, effluvium during the Eucharist or more plainly, a fart in church.  It stinks when you force the audience to think “that conceptualization is incomprehensible,” because they are just wondering what you said.  Lawyers are often full of high flatulent words. Perhaps, in order to prevent any misunderstanding, they use language that no one understands; reasoning that if you can’t understand there is no way you can misunderstand.   As a speaker, your success depends on speaking the same language as your audience.  Even acronyms and abbreviations (why is that word so long?) which are clear to you, may be confusing to your listeners.   Your listener’s auditory acuity grounds to a halt when they need a dictionary to look up what you said, instead of looking forward to what you say next.

Scrupulous semantic transference transcends cognitive dissonance.  Listeners like when you share a meaningful message, not a perplexing puzzle.  Most meaningful messages are very simple:  “I love you.”  “Watch out.”  “Articulate translucently.” Speaking clearly requires you to get to the heart of your message.  Saying it in as few words as possible makes it easy to hear and easy to recall.  This is good for you and your listeners.   A clear message is like light shining on a diamond. No matter how you look at or look through it either sparkles or reveals a prismatic penumbra.  Making your point is like planting a seed which will grow in meaning between your listener’s ears.

Your choice of words says more about you than what you are saying.  Is elucidate really better than explain?  If you want to delude people into thinking you are smart, gargle with gargantuan glossology, and expectorate ersatz erudition.  If you want to be smart, speak simply to be understood.  Knowing a lot of words helps.  Knowing which to use helps others.  Words are shared meaning.  The more words you have the more meaningful connections you can make.  The quality, not the quantity, of the connection is what matters.  Words can cover a lot of ground, but choosing clear words touches common ground.

Dazzling your audience with oratory, enunciating your message eloquently and exemplifying excellence in your elocution are admirable aspirations.  Grounding your style, cogency and grace in plain words guarantees the finest compliment any speaker could wish for, simply… “Well said.”