“Why can’t I clot?”
Scott Mebus
Discussing Monday’s debate with my college students was not anyone’s cup of tea. But we did it. And we actually came to agree on one thing. We now agree that when talking, fewer words are better than unnecessary ones. Yes, “a couple of words.” Go figure!
Economy of language can show preparedness and knowledge of one’s purpose when talking. Verbosity – on the other hand – could be a sign of edginess, uncertainty and frivolity – an indicator of words being just spewed out.
If we want our words to be listened to and seriously considered afterwards, we ought to focus on what there’s substantial evidence for. Combining vital issues with our personal assumptions is not smart. It doesn’t make anyone smart. It’s verbal hemophilia. Instead of presupposing, our listeners will validate each and every of the points we make, so we ought to provide them with verifiable numbers, figures, facts …
It is only then our audience will listen. Not just hear us, but listen. Sidestepping diversions and removing superfluous words will make our point seem clear, honest, intelligent and sharp … and then we stop talking. Let what we said speak for itself. Let it sink in. “The past speaks to us in a thousand voices, warning and comforting, animating and stirring to action.”
Elijah Claiborne-Bey says
Hola Senorita Ortega It is always great to hear from you and it is my pleasure to comment especially on subjects that matter. The subject was an debate your class had on the elections coming up. Like you said few words are better than no words & still getting the point across. Well I don’t want to be the party crasher but I’m not voting at all, Hillary saying that Black men are predators years ago like we forgot that those were her words and Trump we know his racist story him and his white trash vote and his rederick campiagn slogans. The less of 2 evils well both are evil in my opinion, just had to say that and thank you for posting this.
Aydasara Ortega says
Yes, Elijah, time and again campaign speeches have proved to be empty rhetoric. Pretentious, insincere, and intellectually vacuous. Thank you for reading and commenting.