Enhance Your Speaking Language by Following the “Six C’s”

In Public Speaking, Michael and Suzanne Osborn talk about the “Six C’s of Effective Language Use.” If you follow these Six C’s like a checklist as you write a speech, you will be able to greatly enhance the effectiveness of the language you are using.

The following speech was given by Douglas Checketts, a student in Theatre and Media Arts 150. As you read the speech, please notice Doug’s colorful language, correct use of words, and his development of concrete images to help the audience visualize all the sights, sounds, and smells of a ballpark.

Home Run

It’s 11:00 A.M. Saturday morning, on an 85 degree summer day. The count is three balls, two strikes. Andrew Checketts steps up to the plate as the pitcher gets his sign. It’s gonna be a fast ball; everybody knows it. Joey Checketts takes his lead off first base. One step, two steps, three steps, and a fourth! As the pitcher begins his wind-up, the players on the bench go nuts as they scream and shake the fence to distract him—he releases the ball, it speeds right down the center of the plate at 80 M.P.H., then—CRACK! It soars in the opposite direction. Going, going, going, gone. It clears the left field fence. Doug Checketts jumps up to cheer, forgetting the freshly grilled cheeseburger in his lap; but that’s okay, it’s his third one today! Mom beams with pride, “That’s my boy!” As the two brothers cross home plate they’re greeted by their coach, who gives them both a slap on the bottom and says to Andrew, “Good hit, son!”

I love baseball; it is something that I have grown up with all my life. The mannerisms that the sport encourages, the traditions involved, and the unity it creates within my family are all very important to me.

Whenever I think of home, times like these are some of the strongest memories I have. I often think of bubble-gum flavored snow cones, hard pinewood bleachers, yelling at the umpires, and nasty farmers tans. For me, happiness is being with my family at the park. My brothers are the stars, Dad’s the coach, and Mom and I are the happy spectators.

If any of you were to visit us at our home, the first thing you might notice as you pull into the driveway would be the batting cage set up in our garage. Next, as you enter the front door, you’ll need to be mindful of the bats and gloves left strewn behind in the hallway, lest you step on one and break your neck. And finally, as you come into the living room area, you will find at least half the family on the couch watching a game or flipping through the channels to find one. We’ll be speaking in a jargon that only a radio announcer could decipher, so please, don’t be alarmed!

I remember days when my father would drop whatever he had to do and take us to the field and throw baseball after baseball to help us perfect our swings. Sometimes it was harder to tell if it meant more to him or to us. He critiqued us, gave us advice, and was our strongest advocate. This in turn created a sense of togetherness. I began helping out my younger brothers in the same way, and they to each other. Mom was not forgotten, however; she was the best cheering section any three brothers could have. Mild-mannered and sincere, when she said “Good job,” it felt really good.

For every family there is something that they all enjoy doing together, something that gives them their personality, brings them together, and continues on year after year. Some may not be as fanatical about it as my family is, but man, what I wouldn’t give for a bubble-gum flavored snow cone and a hot 85 degree summer day!

Words really do have power. “What you say is what you get. As our thoughts affect our circumstances, so do the words we say. Our words build our attitude and they determine what we will attract and experience.” ³ These words were written by Andrew Matthews in his book Being Happy! I strongly agree that if you use positive words in your public speeches, it will affect the audience’s attitude and experience.