The fourth project in the Toastmaster's competent communication series concerns word choice and arrangement of those words in your speech; it specifically focuses on language.

Words are powerful. They convey your message and influence the audience and its perception of you. Word choice and arrangement need just as much attention as speech organization and purpose. Select clear, accurate, descriptive, and short words that best communicate your ideas and arrange them effectively and correctly. Every word should add value, meaning and punch to the speech (Competent Communication, Toastmasters International)

 According to TI, you can add excitement by using clear, simple, vivid, and forceful words. On the other hand, good grammar and proper pronunciation will give you credibility.

Some of the rules of oral style include:

• writing for the ear --oral communication is much less formal and more repetitious than written language; and it speaks the same language that the audience uses
• short words (majority); short sentences (majority), and short paragraphs (limiting paragraphs to a few sentences only)
• being specific - proper word-choice to convey specific meanings and understanding (don't be vague)
• using vivid words to stir the imagination; selecting the right energetic verbs, using an active voice, avoiding the use of is/are/were constructs (which weaken impact)
• incorporating rhetorical devices (special ways of arranging words to make an idea or thought sound more pleasing and easier for listeners to remember), for example:
• similes,
• metaphors,
• alliteration,
• triads of ideas, adjectives, and points
• economizing on unnecessary filler words or phrases
• replacing cliches with more appropriate descriptive words/phrases
• eliminating redundant words
• watching for jargon, and
• using correct grammar and pronunciation, especially watching for
• subject/verb agreement
• misplaced modifiers
• misused pronouns