Using language effectively may seem to be easy for some speakers, but in reality, it's not that simple, unless you're naturally gifted with great speaking skills. Knowing how to use inclusive and audience-centered language is important in all types of presentations. For the large amount of public speaking I do (I'm being sarcastic here) I try to always personalize my language, to try to specify what I'm saying to the audience that is listening to me. It is far more effective to personalize a speech than to just give the same speech to every group one would speak for (e.g. a celebrity speaking at commencement ceremonies).
What struck me the hardest in this week's reading, along with being audience-centered, is to use inclusive language, that is, words that don't privilege one group over another. As our textbook mentioned, not using inclusive language can suggest that one is stereotyping or hating on a certain group of people. Classifications that are often given are people's race, class and gender. I personally don't favor being placed into a group and having others remember me only by one label that someone placed on me. For example, "the tattooed Hispanic guy." Not that I'm offended by such labels, but really? Sure I have some ink and come from a Hispanic background, but there is so much more to me than that. Not using labels that place people into what may be perceived as something derogatory is what we should strive for. This can also be said for nonsexist language.
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