Question

For which two reasons are stock phrases less effective in speeches than connectives are?

Options:
A) Lack of familiarity, lack of impact
B) Lack of clarity, lack of variety
C) Lack of emotion, lack of structure
D) Lack of relevance, lack of length

Answer 1

Stock phrases in speeches can cause a lack of variety, making content feel repetitive, and a lack of clarity, as they can be too generic. Connectives, on the other hand, improve clarity and coherence, creating seamless transitions between ideas.

Step-by-step explanation:

Stock phrases are less effective in speeches compared to connectives for two main reasons. First, stock phrases often lack variety, which can make a speech sound repetitive and unengaging. Overuse of such phrases can make the content feel stale and prevent the expression of unique thoughts or perspectives. Second, stock phrases can lead to a lack of clarity. They are typically generic and do not contribute to the specific meaning of a sentence. In contrast, connectives such as 'therefore,' 'however,' and 'moreover' add to the flow and coherence of speech, helping to link ideas seamlessly and clarify the speaker's intent.

Good speech writing and delivery rests heavily on the effectiveness of transitions. Transitions between ideas need to be smooth and logical, which is sometimes undermined by the use of too many stock phrases. Effective transitions, driven by appropriate connectives, ensure that the speech remains coherent and the audience can follow the speaker's line of reasoning easily.

In conclusion, speeches that rely heavily on stock phrases instead of targeted connectives are likely to suffer from a lack of variety and clarity. This can result in a presentation that feels disjointed and does not hold the audience's attention very well.