{"id":510,"date":"2019-03-29T17:06:07","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T17:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-esc-communicationforprofessionals\/?post_type=chapter&p=510"},"modified":"2019-07-17T17:54:39","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T17:54:39","slug":"concrete-language","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-esc-communicationforprofessionals\/chapter\/concrete-language\/","title":{"raw":"Concrete, Precise, Specific Language","rendered":"Concrete, Precise, Specific Language"},"content":{"raw":"

Concrete vs. Abstract Language<\/h2>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nConcrete words refer to tangible items, things you can count, touch, name, identify in time.\u00a0 For example, phrases such as ten thousand<\/em>, raw cherry wood<\/em>, John Smith<\/em>, and ten o'clock on January 12<\/em> are concrete. Concrete language is the opposite of abstract language, which refers to intangible ideas or qualities, such as love<\/em>, hate<\/em>, or honor<\/em>.\r\n\r\nIn professional communication, your goal is to be as concrete as possible, so that your readers, listeners, or viewers understand and interpret your message as accurately as possible, in the way you intended.\u00a0 Language that connects with tangible and sensory experiences (taste, smell, touch, sight, and sound) is easier for readers to understand and relate to. Concrete language moves you toward that goal.\r\n\r\nTo make abstract language more concrete:\r\n

Replace abstract terms with concrete words that have clear, direct, and precise meaning.<\/h3>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Abstract:<\/strong>\u00a0The case sought to establish\u00a0equality\u00a0<\/em>or people of all sexual orientations. Equality<\/em>\u00a0can mean a variety of things to different people: What does\u00a0equality<\/em>\u00a0mean in this instance?<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Concrete:<\/strong>\u00a0The case sought to legalize gay marriage.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Use language that appeals to the senses.<\/h3>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Abstract:<\/strong>\u00a0The waiting room was\u00a0unpleasant<\/em>. What makes this setting\u00a0unpleasant<\/em>? Replace this term with specific, descriptive language.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Concrete:<\/strong>\u00a0The waiting room was cold, antiseptic-smelling, and crowded with sick people who were coughing, groaning, or crying.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe following video is simple, but clear and useful in answering questions about the use of concrete language.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dVMcrchUpts\r\n

      Precise vs. Vague Language<\/h2>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nProfessional writing should be precise: accurate, unambiguous. Vague, overly general, subjective, or ambiguous terms may be interpreted different by different audience members, thus confusing the intent of your message.\u00a0 As with concrete vs. abstract language, you do not want to choose words and phrasing that could be interpreted multiple ways. Choose words that most precisely, concisely, and accurately convey your point.\r\n

      The table below lists some examples of vague words and phrases edited to be precise. As you'll see, the precise versions of the phrases anticipate and answer questions that an audience may have.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
      \r\n

      Vague<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

      		\r\n

      Precise<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

      many, a lot<\/td>\r\nten, sixteen, one thousand, etc.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      cool (referring to temperature)<\/td>\r\n50 degrees Fahrenheit, 35 degrees Celsius, etc.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      most<\/td>\r\n90%, 94%, etc.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      later \/ very soon<\/td>\r\n4:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m., etc. \/ in ten minutes, tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., etc.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      staff<\/td>\r\nsupervisors, accountants, Nurse Practitioners, etc.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      We are making good progress on the project.<\/td>\r\nIn the two weeks since inception, our four-member team has achieved three of the six objectives we identified for project completion; we are on track to complete the project in another four weeks, by Friday, November 19.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      For the same amount spent, we expected more value added.<\/td>\r\nWe examined several proposals in the $10,000 range, and they all offer more features than what we see in the $12,500 system ABC Corp. is offering.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      Officers were called to the scene.<\/td>\r\nResponding to a 911 call, State Police Officers Arellano and Chavez sped to the intersection of County Route 53 and State Highway 21.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      Several different colors are available.<\/td>\r\nThe silk jacquard fabric is available in ivory, moss, cinnamon, and topaz.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      This smartphone has more applications than customers can imagine.<\/td>\r\nAt last count, the Apple iPhone had more than 500 applications, many costing 99 cents or less; users can get real-time sports scores, upload videos, browse commuter train schedules, edit e-mails, and find recipes\u2014but so far, it doesn\u2019t do the cooking for you.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n \r\n\r\nNote that clich\u00e9s, or over-used expressions, are often vague.\u00a0 Clich\u00e9s can be vague because they have an agreed-upon meaning among a particular culture or group.\u00a0 However, professionally, you may be working with people from many backgrounds who do not understand the agreed-upon meaning. For example, ask a non-native speaker of English if \"things are looking up,\" and the person may respond by physically looking upwards. So avoid clich\u00e9s or, if you have used them in an initial draft, make sure to replace them with more precise language. For example:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
      \r\n

      Vague Clich\u00e9s\r\n<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

      		\r\n

      Precise Language\r\n<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

      ballpark figure<\/td>\r\napproximately, about<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      few and far between<\/td>\r\nrare, infrequent<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      as plain as day<\/td>\r\nobvious, clear, plain<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      needless to say<\/td>\r\nobvious, of course<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
      as clear as mud<\/td>\r\nunclear, vague<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\nThe following video offers a quick definition and a few examples of precise language.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nMNEWrs0GUM\r\n

      Specific vs. General Language<\/h2>\r\nConcrete and precise language is specific, language that details an idea, action, sensation, event.\u00a0 You will give clearer information if you write with specific rather than general words. Evoke senses of taste, smell, hearing, sight, and touch with specific word choices. For example, you could say, \u201cMy shoe feels odd.\u201d But this statement does not give a sense of why your shoe feels odd, since \u201codd\u201d is an abstract word that does not suggest any physical characteristics. Or you could say, \u201cMy shoe feels wet.\u201d This statement gives you a sense of how your shoe feels to the touch. It also gives a sense of how your shoe might look and sound when you walk, painting a picture for your readers.\r\n\r\nNote that not every word in a business communication can specific, nor should\u00a0it be. But specifics do clarify your meaning. Look for general words such as\u00a0\"things,\"\u00a0\"very,\" or \"many,\" which you can\u00a0replace with more specific terminology.<\/span>\r\n

      Summary - and when NOT to be concrete, precise, and specific<\/h2>\r\nThe concepts of concrete, precise, and specific language blend together into one main idea: offer appropriate, real-world examples and explanations using accurate, sensory, detailed language so that your audience can visualize, relate to, and understand your information as accurately as possible.\u00a0 Realize, however, that there may be times when you consciously decide not to be precise.\u00a0 For example, if you need to offer negative information and do not want to assign blame to a particular person or office, you may opt to state that \"mistakes were made\" instead of noting who made what mistakes.\u00a0 Vagueness in this instance allows you to focus more fully on the general problem and solution instead of particular persons who made the mistakes.\u00a0 In another case, you may want to offer an approximate number or amount if your purpose is to show overall comparison to an audience without specific background in the area you're discussing. Although a general rule for professional communication is to use concrete, precise, and specific language, your situational analysis always overrides any general rules.\u00a0 Use that situational analysis in your planning, creating, and editing stages to determine the best type of language for your purpose, audience, and context.","rendered":"

      Concrete vs. Abstract Language<\/h2>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      Concrete words refer to tangible items, things you can count, touch, name, identify in time.\u00a0 For example, phrases such as ten thousand<\/em>, raw cherry wood<\/em>, John Smith<\/em>, and ten o’clock on January 12<\/em> are concrete. Concrete language is the opposite of abstract language, which refers to intangible ideas or qualities, such as love<\/em>, hate<\/em>, or honor<\/em>.<\/p>\n

      In professional communication, your goal is to be as concrete as possible, so that your readers, listeners, or viewers understand and interpret your message as accurately as possible, in the way you intended.\u00a0 Language that connects with tangible and sensory experiences (taste, smell, touch, sight, and sound) is easier for readers to understand and relate to. Concrete language moves you toward that goal.<\/p>\n

      To make abstract language more concrete:<\/p>\n

      Replace abstract terms with concrete words that have clear, direct, and precise meaning.<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Abstract:<\/strong>\u00a0The case sought to establish\u00a0equality\u00a0<\/em>or people of all sexual orientations. Equality<\/em>\u00a0can mean a variety of things to different people: What does\u00a0equality<\/em>\u00a0mean in this instance?<\/li>\n
      • Concrete:<\/strong>\u00a0The case sought to legalize gay marriage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Use language that appeals to the senses.<\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Abstract:<\/strong>\u00a0The waiting room was\u00a0unpleasant<\/em>. What makes this setting\u00a0unpleasant<\/em>? Replace this term with specific, descriptive language.<\/li>\n
        • Concrete:<\/strong>\u00a0The waiting room was cold, antiseptic-smelling, and crowded with sick people who were coughing, groaning, or crying.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          The following video is simple, but clear and useful in answering questions about the use of concrete language.<\/p>\n