Dr. James Cail was a popular psychology teacher at Oklahoma Christian University who often filled in and preached at one of the local churches there in Oklahoma City. Dr. Cail had quite a sense of humor, which is helpful in preaching. And besides his folksy style, he had a memorable way of speaking, using descriptive words. 


For instance, for some reason I remember him talking about a "foot long" barrel in a message, some twenty years later. Twenty years!

The infographic below explains why descriptive language helps engage and persuade people in storytelling. As it shows, our brains are "hard-wired" for storytelling, and when vivid, descriptive words are used in speaking/story-telling, the brain literally lights up.


Now if familiar, overly used words engage less of the brain (and they do), and vivid words cause it to light up and move towards greater engagement and persuasion, what are the implications of this?


Well, using vivid words that are non over-used or overly familiar may come easily to some folk. But for most, it does not. That means that we might need to think through and write out some of these words and phrases to use in preaching beforehand to make sure that they are incorporated and used.


How do you use or find vivid words/descriptions in speaking?