Emotive Language- Definition, Examples and Benefits

Language is one of the effective communication tools that play a vital role in delivering ideas, thoughts, opinions, and feelings to others. Especially, for better communication, a language also uses several techniques. One such vital language technique is emotive language, where emotions will be transferred to others through words or sentences.

If you want to know more about emotive language, continue reading this blog post. Here, you will get detailed information about emotive language, its utilization, significant emotive words, connotations, and how you can use emotive language in your writing with examples.

Emotive Language Definition

So, what is emotive language? The kind of language that conveys or brings out the reader’s emotions is called emotive language. It requires careful word selection to convey emotions in the best possible way. Furthermore, it also helps to phrase the readers in such a way that they are most affected. Whether written or spoken, emotive language is the most effective way to communicate with readers.

In simple terms, emotional language is identified as ‘the use of emotions in a language to bring out emotions from readers’.

This language favors various writing and story styles. It brings the writer and the readers together. The language conveys feelings. As a result, readers benefit from remembering the language’s outflows. The variety of words used to convey emotion is typified by this language. Such language contributes to the emotional response.

Mentioned below are some positive and negative emotive words.

Positive Emotive Words: Joy, Interest, Pride, Serenity, Hope, Gratitude,

Negative Emotive Words: Fear, Disgust, Anger, Rage, Loneliness, Sadness, Annoyance

Emotive Language Examples

By knowing the emotive language definition and reading its clarification, you may have an idea about it. But, I haven’t finished at this point. Here is a case that can unquestionably make it all the more obvious to you. I have written down two different sentences indicating nearly similar motions. It will show you the difference between ordinary sentences and emotive ones. We should see it:

Case 1: Put all the stuff in the bin.

This sentence has a feeling of order in it. While we are deciding we need to concentrate on the reaction it will start. You will dissect that this sentence neglects to inspire emotions. Accordingly, it can’t be an example of emotive language.

Case 2: You should place that stuff in the bin as it will diminish Mum’s work.

Would you be able to see the difference? Both of the sentences planned for placing the stuff into the bin. But, they are passed on in totally different manners. This one can bring out an emotional reaction. As it were, it is asking whether you need to diminish your mum’s weight. How might you decide not to do such as it will assist her with relaxing? Is it not satisfactory that this sentence is a perfect example of emotive language?

To help you gain a clear understanding of the usage of emotive language, here we have listed a few emotive language examples.

Example 1

Non-Emotive: The refugee was badly injured.

Emotive: The refugee was left with horrific injuries.

In this example, badly injured denotes critical injury, but that whole sentence doesn’t transfer the seriousness of the injury to the readers. On the other hand, in the emotive version, the word horrific injury evokes emotion and establishes the severity of the injury.

Example 2

Non-Emotive: The police arrested him for assault.

Emotive: The police arrested him for carrying out an unprovoked attack.

Here, the non-emotive version looks blunt, and it doesn’t ignite any agitation in the reader’s mind. But the emotive word ‘unprovoked attack’ stirs the emotion and transforms that whole sentence into an emotive sentence.

Example 3

Non-Emotive: She left her boyfriend.

Emotive: She dumped her boyfriend.

In this example, the word ‘left’ doesn’t create a big impact because it can be used in any context. Say, it can be taken as his girlfriend dropped him in some place, or his girlfriend got rid of him. But in order to express the sadness of the boyfriend, the emotive verb ‘dumped’ with the meaning ‘got rid of’ is used. That simple emotive word totally changes the mood of the sentence, and it gives a kind of sympathy to the readers.

Example 4

Non-Emotive: A truck hit the biker.

Emotive: A giant truck viciously crushed the poor biker.

Here, in this example, the clash between a truck and a bike is not exaggerated, and hence the accident doesn’t sound dangerous. But when the same event is portrayed in a detailed way using emotive words like giant, viciously crushed, and poor’, the essence of the sentence varies, and it creates sympathy in the minds of the readers.

Example 5

Non-Emotive: A dog bit a small boy.

Emotive: A dangerous dog badly champed a small boy.

In the non-emotive sentence, the seriousness of the event was not described properly. The whole sentence just looks plain without any intensity. But look at the emotive sentence, the words ‘dangerous and badly champed’ clearly define the aggressiveness of the dog, and the sentence itself expresses a kind of emotion. 

Example 6

Non-Emotive: The man was sentenced to death by the court.

Emotive: The innocent man was misjudged and sentenced to death by a biased court.

In the above example, as the non-emotive version is less descriptive, the emotions aren’t conveyed properly. But in the emotive version, the words ‘innocent, misjudged, and biased’ portrayed the event in detail and elevated the emotions to a different level as the subject of the discussion is sensitive.

Example 7

Non-Emotive: The laptop bought by him was cheap.

Emotive: The laptop bought by him was economical.

Here, in the emotive sentence, the word “economical” describes how logical the person is and defines the person as one who gives good value to money or efforts. But when the same sentence is expressed with the non-emotive word “Cheap”, it sounds negative. Both words share the same literal meaning, but it connotes feelings or ideas differently. Emotive language also has a close association with connotation.

Example 8

Non-Emotive: The girl entered the stage in good attire.

Emotive: The adorable girl entered the stage in gorgeous attire.

In the above example, no exaggeration was given to the girl who entered the stage, and thus it will not easily connect with the emotions of the readers. But when an emphasis is given to the girl’s beauty and attire with emotive words like adorable and gorgeous, it creates positive emotions.

Example 9

Non-Emotive: I saw a video on traditional whale hunting.

Emotive: I saw a video on the brutal slaughter of whales.

In the non-emotive sentence, ‘Traditional Whale hunting’ didn’t appear like criminal activity, and it just lacked emotion. But when the same activity is explained as the ‘brutal slaughter of whales’, an intense meaning is delivered, and it shows the readers how cruel the activity is.

Example 10

Non-Emotive: She organized a costly party yesterday.

Emotive: She organized a lavish party yesterday.

You can transfer the emotion to the readers with just one or two words. In the above sentence, the word ‘costly’ gives a kind of negative feeling. But when it is connoted with the word lavish, it spreads a positive feeling and gives a different shade to the sentence.

Generally, poets and literary workers extensively use emotive language to transfer their thoughts or ideas. Like the above-mentioned examples, you can also use emotive words in your real-time conversation and can easily convert a normal sentence into an emotive sentence. If you want to add emotions to your ideas or thoughts, then without any hesitation use positive or negative emotive words.

Read more: Language Analysis: Definition, Aspects, Characteristics & Techniques

Where is Emotive Language Used?

Emotive Language is utilized in the accompanying manners in your everyday lives.

1. Promotions

Ads utilize emotive language, in particular, to excite certain emotions in the psyche of their crowd to interest their interest.

2. Poems

Almost the entirety of the sonnets utilizes different scholarly gadgets with a unified point of passing on the feelings in their words to the reader.

3. Addresses

The talks given by incredible pioneers and speakers are completely planned for the striking idea in their audience’s psyches.

4. Books

In books of all kinds, the principle means to depict the life of a character in a story and cause the reader to feel what the character feels.

5. Films and Drama

Art is a portrayal of life because it is often delineated in motion pictures and theater.

6. Advertising trademarks

Marketing motto is the ablest example of emotive language as notwithstanding making intriguing contributions they do so with an exceptionally restricted measure of words.

7. Public Announcements

Public help declarations are normally made to serve individuals. These declarations mean to strike the emotions in the crowd to realize a change. That is the reason PSA is a compelling example of emotive language.

8. Diaries

Personal diaries or journals being written by various individuals and youngsters are likewise fine examples of emotive writing. As a journal is an individual thing, individuals will in general offer their most genuine sentiments and contemplations in it.

Benefits of Emotive Language

Let’s have a look at the numerous benefits of using Emotive language as the primary writing practice:

• It can keep people engaged
• It helps the people to connect alongside the character
• Inspires the emotions of the reader
• Performs as an expressive tool
• Better delivers the information for the writer
• Better reactions from the writer
• Gives a cultural background

Ways to Improve Your Emotive Language Writing Skills

Here, let’s take a look at ways to improve your writing skills so that you can convey your feelings in a better manner.

The most well-known obstacle authors face is a lack of appropriate language. The first and most important angle is to increase your emotional jargon. Simply you can convey a character’s emotions in a story by using appropriate language. The best way to deal with this is by carrying out groundwork along with perusing articles that best utilize emotive language.

What Impact Does Emotive Language Create?

As we already know, emotive language is planned to impact the readers/audience. If it is utilized correctly, it can shape the reaction of the crowd. This is because emotive language is a method of powerful writing. This implies it targets convincing the crowd to think a specific way.

You can likewise think about it as a manipulative procedure.

Moreover, the crowd can question the author/writer’s back. These points are a part of utilizing emotive language.

Why and How Emotive Language is Used in Literature?

Literature is specifically written with a reason in a writer’s brain. Consequently, its intention is to pass on the considerations or thoughts to readers. Generally, the topic or thought which the creator needs to impart is something near his/her heart. While writing something for obscure individuals, it turns into a significant pen down the musings such that the readers think that it’s relatable.

This is the reason different language procedures are often utilized in the literature. To make a story, novella, novel, poem, or anything relatable it must bring out. Consequently, it is outlandish to expel emotions from the content.

To know how it has been utilized in the literature, you should understand the instances that follow:

Case:1 Martin Luther King, Jr.

 “I have got a Dream,”

This is a short selection from a discourse of the incomparable Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Martin Luther King”… The name is sufficient to bring you into a contemporary world. The vast majority of us know the world where he lived and the points he had in his life. Along these lines, while reading a sentence from his discourse, you should interface with the foundation.

So, let’s evaluate the excerpt…

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. evoked emotional reactions from his crowd of individuals with his successful way of talking.

One number utilization of manner of speaking in his discourse is emotive language.

Here is a selection to Give you an Idea:

“One hundred years after the fact the life of the Negro is still severely disabled via the handcuffs of isolation and the chains of segregation. One hundred years after the fact the Negro lives on a forlorn island of destitution amidst an immense expanse of material flourishing.”

Here, King Jr. utilizes emotive (and allegorical) language to stir up his audience members. He expects them to feel irritated; he needs them to feel. Specialist King needs them to understand the requirements for the activity. He needs them to take part in the Civil Rights Movement.

This is how emotive language is used.

Something Essential For You to Understand

Here is the fundamental counsel anticipating you. Before we begin another idea and plunge into its clarification, I need you to review the fundamental thing expected to concoct an ideal piece.

Dear readers, you should remember that except if you know your subject, it is too difficult to even think about writing down a compelling book. In this way, before you prepare with the language procedure ensure you know the subtleties. If gathering data is an intense errand for you, going for assignment help is consistently an alternative.

So, you understand the emotive language definition. Now, this is the time to get into another thing…..Connotation.

What is Connotation?

For using emotive language to improve your writing, we must know what Connotation is. So, let’s understand another concept.

By “Connotation” the speaker or the creator alludes to “what have suggested or advised” the language. In straightforward words, you can say it a method of indicating an additional significance of a word or a lot of words past a literal translation.

Well, the explains what settles on the selection of words essential is their affiliations. We have plenty of words around us, and every one of them has its meanings and affiliations. So, this is the reason you have to pick the words cautiously as they are the main medium to bring out a particular reaction in the readers or audience members.

Let’s make it easier

The best to comprehend connotation is to allude to the shading affiliations. It is the most straightforward and ideal approach to comprehending the idea of connotation.

Presently, with regard to the colors, we realize that each color is associated with a few or other emotions. For example :

• We link red with threat, outrage, hostility, or enthusiasm.
• The whites called for radiating harmony and immaculateness.
• The dark shading is related to death.

Not just this the different shades of colors additionally have separate translations.

Well, the connotation can be purposely played with by the creator or the speaker to point out or undermine a specific affiliation.

Examples can make things simple

Here is a concentration from one of the talks of Elizabeth I. This particular one, you can see here accentuates the motivational qualities and discusses physical impediments too.

‘I realize I have the body but of a powerless and weak lady, but I have the heart and stomach of a lord … ‘

Here you can perceive how Elizabeth has talked in a manner in which the literal implications of the words are of no significance. She has utilized the words “heart” and “stomach” as connotations. Nobody can say that she expects to pass on the literal significance of these words. This is because it is seen by “heart” and “stomach” she is alluding to her soul, valiance, and mental fortitude.

The readers can easily comprehend that she is explaining herself as a lady who comes up short on the physical attributes of a man. But likewise has the quality and boldness (particularly the internal quality). She is contrasting herself with a ruler, one can decipher that she is a lady in the men’s reality, who can remain all alone and for her kin too.

Time to get into an investigation…

Investigation of Emotive Language and Connotation

Now, that we have discussed both concepts. I think it is the right time to identify them both. The need for doing so is to recall what we’ve read so far and also check whether we correctly comprehend them or not.

Additionally, you also understand the connection between emotive language and connotation. So, let’s start investigating them.

1- Focus on the Intention of the Speaker

The initial point is to focus on the speaker or writer’s intention. You can understand what type of emotional reaction the writer requires from the readers. For instance, whether he desires happiness or anger, pride or pity, etc.

See Also – How To Make Money Online? Get 20 Innovative Online Job Ideas

2- Reaction of Readers and their Purpose

Next, you have to concentrate on how the emotional reaction of the readers will relate to the author’s purpose.

3- Placement

Another big aspect to think about while investigating language practice is “placement.” If an author begins with angry phrases, might this enrage the audience? Whether it is building a “them and us” scene that the readers might recognize or not. It is imperative to consider emotive language with regard to the reason that you need to introduce in your writing.

Here, I am posting three queries that you have to answer. You ought to do this since they will assist you with understanding better.

Ask yourself

• How does the utilization of emotional language change according to the reason for being exhibited?
• Does the emotive language excite or mollify contingent upon what is examined?
• What kinds of connotations would different readers respond to?

So, you must know that components like religious beliefs, political interests, age, and socioeconomic factors. Also, you should know the gender that sways the impacts of emotive language and connotations on the audience. Additionally, you ought to know that different individuals have different points of view. So, this is the reason they see different implications from the same book.

Gathering information is a tough task for you going for Linguistic research topics is always an option

Conclusion

We hope you are now clear about what an emotive language is. In case, you still have any doubts regarding emotive language or if you are unsure how to use emotive language in creative or academic writing, quickly get in touch with us.