Q&A: Why Do You Say “You Know” After Practically Every Statement?

Question: Why Do You Say “You Know” After Practically Every Statement?

 

Donald Bohanon: I’m not sure I do it after every statement but I feel like I’m talking to a varied audience comprised of people from very different backgrounds. So I try to speak in a way that can be relatable to them as well. As opposed to articulating A message or teaching that goes right over their heads.

 

I’ve heard many people teach and speak in different ways, professors, public speakers, doctors, etc,  but those who speak in a way that focuses on highlighting their intellectual and academic advantages I have noticed almost always talk in a way that goes right over the heads of those at a lower academic level.

 

I’m speaking to a varied audience of people from different educational and social backgrounds so my message is tailored in such a way that it can be digestible to all those people. So it can be relatable to both the urbanite and the suburbanite, etc.

 

Both the educated and uneducated. I don’t speak in a way that would be solely focused on people with advanced academic backgrounds because the Bible says we are to mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate, Romans 12:16.

 

In other words, we are to reach out to the common and basic individual. I use the term “you know” as a form of affirmation and to draw attention to previous statements made.

 

And as a down-to-earth approach to making people feel like I’m carrying on a conversation with a close friend in a friendly setting and environment to put listeners at ease.

 

Which I feel makes their ability to absorb what I’m saying that much easier. I speak to reach and teach not necessarily to highlight or broadcast my intelligence or intellect. 

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