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MTTC Reading (05): Practice & Study Guide29 chapters | 279 lessons | 19 flashcard sets
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Summer has taught creative writing and sciences at the college level. She holds an MFA in Creative writing and a B.A.S. in English and Nutrition
Written and spoken language is used for many different reasons. The primary uses of language are informative, expressive, and directive in nature. Language is used to reason, to express ideas, argue a point, provide directions, and much more. Let's learn about the three main uses of language and how they are represented in written and spoken language.
The informative use of language applies to written and spoken language that can be determined as true or false. Informative language is often seen in analytical reports, descriptions, arguments, and everyday speech. Most informative uses of language are declarative statements. For example, a person uses informative language when they are making a statement that provides information or that adds emphasis onto known information.
A person who says, 'The sky is blue' is using language to inform others about a known fact.
On the other hand, a person would be emphasizing information if they said, 'Isn't it raining outside?' to a child who wants to play outside. This informative use of language is rhetorical because the person knows that it is raining, but is forming it as a question to remind the child that the weather is keeping them indoors.
Language that is used to express a mood or feeling is considered an expressive use of language. Expressive language can reveal a person's happiness, sadness, anger, or other state of emotion.
Expressive language doesn't deliver information, but it is critical to human communication because humans thrive on the fostered social connection that language can create. Swearing, cheering, and sounds that represent emotions are examples of expressive language. Here are a few examples of expressive language:
Directive language is used to garner a response or action, usually from another person. Commands and questions are forms of directive language. For example, a mother telling her son to 'shut the door' is using directive language. Likewise, a question such as, 'Would you please turn off the light?' is an example of directive language. In both cases, the speaker desires somebody else to respond.
Directive questions can be used rhetorically as well. A person using a rhetorical, directive question isn't looking for a response from the person that it is directed at; rather, the question is used to evoke contemplation. For example, if John's father came into his room and said, 'Are you sure you read enough of your biology book?', then his father is encouraging John to read more biology. John's father isn't looking for an answer to the question; instead, he is prompting John to question whether or not he has done enough studying.
Multiple uses of language exist to communicate, direct, and express ideas, feelings, and information. Directive, expressive, and informative uses of writing are used in written and oral forms of communication. Directive use of language is used to get another person or group to perform an action. Expressive language is used to express thoughts and feelings to others. Informative language is used to relay factual information. All of these uses of language can be used in their simplest forms or as more strategic rhetorical devices.
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MTTC Reading (05): Practice & Study Guide29 chapters | 279 lessons | 19 flashcard sets