LANGUAGE USE

There are five major issues with appropriate language that should be
avoided in an effective and well-written text, as identified by (Purdue
Online Writing Lab 2020):
First, the formality of the language one uses should depend on how formal the
situation is and how the writer and the reader are related to one another.
Second, jargons or specialized language used by groups of individuals in the
same field, should only be used if the target readers belong to the same group.
Third, slangs and idioms should be avoided. Slangs are words, phrases, or
expressions that do not literally mean what they express (like “frenemy” to
describe someone who is both a friend and an enemy) while idioms or
expressions whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual
word it contains (like “to kill two birds at one stone”, which means to get two
things done with a single action.
Fourth, euphemisms or words that veil the truth shall also be avoided.
Examples of which are “virtually challenged” for someone who is short; “passed
away” instead of died, and other deceitful language.
Fifth, avoid using any biased language including those associated with any
racial, ethnic, group, or gender. Hence, an effective language can be
characterized as:  Concrete and specific, not vague and abstract  Concise, not
verbose  Precise and clear, not obscure  Constructive, not destructive 
Appropriately formal, not slang

Effective language use is attained by discovering the following

principles in writing.
1. Clear and concise language entail using a minimal amount of effective
words to make one’s point. It must be direct and simple.
Example:
o When I started my own business, it has given me a whole new
perspective to see the bigger picture when it comes to finding a
work.

o The students need to obtain high marks in science in order to study

medicine.
Edited sentences:
 Starting my own business has given me a new perspective on
work.
 The students need high marks in science to study medicine.
2. Avoid redundancies, wordiness, clichés, and highfalutin language. ²Use
the language of everyday life, yet don't substitute common words for
striking and distinctive words just to keep it simple. Say what you mean
and sound like yourself.
Example:
 Although offspring are taught not to obtain free gifts from
strangers, at the present moment many still do.
  Although children are told not to take gifts from strangers,
many still do
3. Avoid sexist language. Sexist language is language that unnecessarily
identifies gender. This issue can be addressed by using articles (a, an,
and the), using plural pronouns, using his or her instead of his, writing
through a second person point of view, or using gender-neutral nouns
Example:
A family member who misses a holiday dinner will find he has missed more
than the food.

The above sentence is an example of sexist language; the singular pronoun he

refers to a male member of the family. When writing, it is a courtesy to use
language that does not demean or stereotype men or women we call it
nonsexist language. We have to change singular nouns to plurals and use a
gender-neutral pronoun.

Nonsexist language:
Family members who miss holiday dinners will find they have missed more
than the food.

4. Constructive language phrases a potentially negative message in a

positive way. Choose the better approach not to hurt the feelings or lose
person’s face. It must keep an appreciate