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I don't know the rules of grammar... If you're trying to persuade people to do something, or buy something, it seems to me you should use their language, the language they use every day, the language in which they think. We try to write in the vernacular.
David Ogilvy
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Effective communication involves using the language that resonates with your audience.

David Ogilvy emphasizes the importance of speaking in the vernacular or everyday language of your audience when trying to persuade them. By doing so, you make your message more relatable and impactful, which can lead to better engagement and response from your target demographic.

Themes

CommunicationPersuasionVernacularLanguageAudience

In practice

Example use cases

A marketing presentation aimed at local customers can start with this quote to emphasize the importance of using familiar terms.

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