....I'm writing a letter to a good friend of mine where the situation has been a little tense, and I've been trying to understand how placing a name at different points within a sentence tend to change the feeling of the idea(s), feeling(s), etc. expressed therein. I want to portray my ideas and feelings without appearing condescending, unsympathetic or unconcerned with their feelings, or any other potentially destructive mode of communication or expression.
For example, how do the feelings implied in the following sentence change when the name of the person mentioned is used in the beginning, middle or end of a sentence? :
1) Jackie, do you understand what I'm saying? Strong and slightly aggressive
2) Do you understand, Jackie, what I'm saying? Awkward
3) Do you understand what I'm saying, Jackie? Politest and most usual structure.
(I understand that there are probably a couple of grammar mistakes in these sentences, if not also my post, but I hope they help illustrate part of my question adequately. If not, I'd be happy to give a better example). :)

Student or Learner
Bookmarks