Brief Summary
This video explains conversational style in writing, particularly in contracts and literature. It contrasts this style with formal, impersonal writing, highlighting its benefits in making documents more accessible, friendly, and easier to understand. The video suggests using conversational style to build trust, improve compliance, and differentiate an organization by portraying it as more human and approachable.
- Conversational style makes contracts and documents more accessible and user-friendly.
- It helps in building trust and reducing unintentional non-compliance.
- This style is beneficial in business, customer, employment contracts, and literature.
What is Conversational Style?
Conversational style is a writing approach that diverges from traditional, formal contract prose. Instead of being impersonal, it aims to mimic a natural conversation, using "you," "we," and "us" instead of formal terms like "party of the first part." This style mirrors everyday speech, making contracts more approachable and less intimidating for readers.
Problems Solved by Conversational Style
Traditional contract language can be unfriendly, impersonal, and alienating, often seeming as if it's written by lawyers for lawyers. This can lead readers to avoid engaging with the contract, resulting in unintentional non-compliance and loss of rights. By adopting a conversational style, organizations can avoid sounding frightening or unfriendly, which helps build trust with their audience.
When to Use Conversational Style
Conversational style is suitable for business-to-customer and employment contracts, as well as commercial and public sector agreements. It is particularly useful in situations where negotiations involve individuals unfamiliar with conventional legal language, such as SMEs or startups. The goal is to make the contract more understandable and less intimidating for all parties involved.
Benefits of Using Conversational Style
Using a conversational style can make contracts appear more straightforward and business-friendly, rather than resembling legal weapons. In a world where most legal documents look and feel the same, adopting a conversational tone can help an organization stand out by presenting itself as more human and approachable. This can significantly improve relationships and perceptions.
Conversational Style in Literature
In literature, conversational style can be highly beneficial because it avoids the need for readers to constantly consult dictionaries. While clichés and overused phrases should be avoided, writers should aim for language that is easily understood by the general public. This approach aligns with the Romantic era's focus on using common language in poetry and literature. Modern dialogues often employ conversational style to create a sense of realism and relatability.
