The power of simple words - Terin Izil
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Long, fancy words designed to show off your intelligence and vocabulary are all very well, but they aren't always the best words. In this short, playful video Terin Izil explains why simple, punchy language is often the clearest way to convey a message.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
For inspiration, see how lawyers, medical professionals and federal workers are policing their own professions’ use of language: www.clarity-international.net (the lawyers) www.plainlanguage.gov (the feds) www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/pdf/Simply_Put.pdf (the meds)
To become an American citizen, the U.S. government requires people to pass a test that includes several questions about the U.S. Constitution. Think about just the preamble to the Constitution (http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html), which is full of $10 words. What would it sound like in simpler terms? And could you preserve its meaning if you ‘translated’ it in this way? Create this ‘translation’ and compare it to the original. Share it with others and note their reactions.
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Meet The Creators
- Animator Sunni Brown
- Educator Terin Izil
- Narrator Terin Izil