Sometimes you really want to convey some idea to listeners or readers, but you can’t do it. It does not come out to find the right words, thoughts get confused, spread, jump from topic to topic. We’ve put together a few tricks to help overcome these barriers.
1. Use the “thesis – argument – proof” scheme
It will help to structure thoughts, build a statement or text logically and consistently. Especially if you are arguing with someone or want to convincingly present your point of view on some problem.
You first put forward thesis or assumption. Then expand it a little, explain what exactly you mean. Finally, present evidence. For example:
Thesis: “Reading the classics is important and necessary.”
Argument: “Classical literature helps to increase vocabulary, develop fantasy and emotional intelligence.”
Proof: “Scientists figured outthat people who read classical literature are better at recognizing other people’s emotions.”
2. Write notes
Especially if you like to read non-fiction books. Let’s say you finish a chapter, and then briefly, literally half a page, write down the main theses.
If you are too lazy to take notes after each chapter, you can retell the entire book, while also trying to keep within a certain number of words or pages. It’s also a good way to train your memory.
3. Take voice notes
Use a voice recorder or, for example, the “Favorites” chat in Telegram. Leave messages for yourself: ideas that you would like to implement, interesting thoughts that have appeared in your head, or just a to-do list for tomorrow.
Try to keep the length of the audio recording no longer than, say, one minute. This is quite enough to express and develop an idea, but at the same time not to lose it and not go into the jungle. Such a limit definitely motivates you to speak quickly, not to “shout”, not to “buzz”, and to choose your words accurately.
For fans of voice messages, there are even special social networks. There you can only communicate by voice, and no longer than one minute. A good training of thinking and oratory skills.
4. Get Twitter
The maximum length of a post on this social network is 280 characters. Such a restriction will help to weed out everything superfluous and express your thoughts concisely and clearly. Especially if you do not cheat and do not create chains of a dozen or two posts.
By the way, you can complicate the task and try to fit into 140 characters, as it was on Twitter before.
5. Write loglines for movies and books
A logline is a very short retelling of the plot in a few lines. It is used by screenwriters to explain what their story is about as quickly as possible.
For example, the logline for the movie “Forrest Gump” sounded so: “Forrest Gump, though not distinguished by intelligence, becomes an accidental participant in historical events, and his true love, Jenny Curran, eludes him.”
And here is the Matrix logline: “A hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of the familiar world and about his role in the war against those who control this world.”
It may seem that writing a logline (or its more extended versions – annotation and synopsis) is a trifling matter. But even writers sometimes find it difficult. After all, you have to learn to highlight the most important thing in the plot, and even explain the essence of everything in a dozen words. So creating loglines can be great practice if you want to be able to communicate clearly and understandably.