{"id":795,"date":"2012-05-03T04:29:50","date_gmt":"2012-05-03T08:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/facilitativeleadership.wordpress.com\/?p=795"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T19:33:18","slug":"rhetorical-precision-clear-communications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/rhetorical-precision-clear-communications\/","title":{"rendered":"Rhetorical Precision and Clear Communications — Stress Substance Over Style"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rhetorical precision suggests that words reflect meaning, much like illustrations, symbols, and numbers. Challenging the fixed meaning of words, our languages reflect dynamic qualities and change constantly. For example, today there are more than one million words in the English language. Additionally, each word represents multiple meanings. Therefore, clear communications can be seen as an oxymoron.<\/h2>\n

Rhetorical Precision — What is an Occurrence?<\/h3>\n

Was the situation on 9\/11 involving New York’s World Trade Center destruction one “occurrence” or two “occurrences”? Reportedly, the World Trade Center was insured $3.5 billion per “occurrence”. A solid example of rhetorical precision, what is an “occurrence”? \u00a0Be reminded that $3.5 billion was at risk since the property was insured per occurrence.<\/span><\/p>\n

By 2005, insurance settlements totaled $4.6 billion, a far cry from what the owners originally wanted ($7 billion). However, clearly much more than what many pundits thought they would recover ($3.55 billion).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Prior<\/a>

Rhetorical Precision and Clear Communications — What is an “occurrence”?<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

“‘Occurrence’ shall mean all losses or damages that are attributable directly or indirectly to one cause or to one series of similar causes. All such losses will be added together and the total amount of such losses will be treated as one occurrence irrespective of the period of time or area over which such losses occur.”<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Many of use would argue that for most people insurance policies do not represent clear communications. Another compelling discussion on this topic and rhetorical precision may be found in “The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature” by Steven Pinker<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Clear Communications Rely on Language Both as an Instrument and an Environment:<\/h3>\n

Therefore, do not forget in your project, meetings, and workshops to provide a cultural glossary. Similarly, enforce rhetorical precision and ensure consensual definitions and clear communication among your meeting participants. Yet always keep in mind the dynamic nature of language:<\/span><\/p>\n