Using Precise Words in Public Speaking

Video Transcript

"Hey. We are talking about words and the use of words in public speaking. Now I want to talk about something else. I want to talk about precise words. Okay. What are precise words. Well, they are words that accurately express the meaning. What is it that you're trying to say? Precise words will help you accurately express it. They also capture shades of difference. Okay, let me give you an example. I'm going to go back to the car. That make and model of a green hatchback that's banged up. That was the car that we were talking about. Now we have two choices here. We can say, "Well, that make and model of a green car almost came within inches of hitting me". Okay. Precise. Or we can go with "Well, that nut job almost got me". Ahhh. Okay. "That nut job almost got me". What does that mean? Not sure, not sure. But with precise words I understand exactly what you're trying to tell me. That nut job almost got me is more of an abstract thought. And that's what you have to be careful of when writing a speech. You can't put your abstract thoughts down because, remember, we don't know what's in there. Okay?"