The Lost Art of the Great Speech: How to Write It * How to Deliver It

The power of simplicity

Using the language well in a speech often means using the strong, simple words that compose our everyday language. To illustrate the power of simplicity, I want to share with you something I composed for use in the Members' Handbook of the Society for the Preservation of English Language and Literature (SPELL):

You don't have to use long words when you speak or write. Most of the time, you can make your points quite well with short ones. In fact, big words may get in the way of what you want to say. And what's more, when you use short words, no one will need to look them up to learn what they mean.

Short words can make us feel good. They can run and jump and dance and soar high in the clouds. They can kill the chill of ...