From the course: Writing with Impact

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Using high-context language

Using high-context language

From the course: Writing with Impact

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Using high-context language

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- I'll bet that you and your friends share some word or look or gesture that'll make you laugh, just because it reminds you of something funny in your past. But if tried to say it or do it with anybody else, they'd just stare at you. That is an example of high context language. It's where a small amount of expression conveys a huge amount of meaning, because the speaker and the hearer both know the context that created the shorthand in the first place. You can bring that magic to any kind of writing, but only if you do it carefully. For example, Kentucky Fried Chicken's slogan of finger lickin' good has no g at the end of that word lickin', implying a regional Kentucky accent. And so it conveys a taste that finger licking good simply doesn't. Kentucky chicken, Kentucky culture. The opposite of high context communication is, of course, low context communication. Let's compare. High context communication relies on common knowledge, and so can use shorthand. In low context communications…

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