Figures of Speech
Aposiopesis
Break off mid-sentence to let the audience complete the thought.
What it is
Before & after
“If we don't fix this problem soon, we'll face serious consequences.”
“If we don't fix this problem soon, we'll... well, I think you know what happens next.”
When you’ll use it
Building tension in crisis communications: 'If we don't address this issue immediately, the consequences could be...'
Creating dramatic emphasis in competitive situations: 'Our competitor just launched their product, which means we need to...'
Letting serious implications speak for themselves: 'When I look at these quarterly numbers, I think we all know what this means...'
Pro tip
Use dramatic pauses and let your expression finish the sentence.
Questions & answers
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