Word Choice

George Bernard Shaw was talking about word choice when he created a new meaning for the term irregular verbs. He was not refering to grammar but rather word choice such as “I am determined, you are stubborn, and he is a pigheaded fool”. Each describes the same thing -- the fact that the person will not change their position – but by choosing different words for each, the implication of the refusal to change alters. The first (I am determined) is positive, while the second and third are an insults. Your word choice in a speech can make it much more or less effective, and you need to think about your opponent's word choice and not be fooled by it or let the audience be fooled. It can be an example of framing and reframing.