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Hand And Power Tools: Which One Should You Use?

This article provides an overview of hand and power tools, their different uses, and which one is right for your next project.

What are Hand and Power Tools?

Hand and power tools are two types of equipment used for different purposes in construction projects. Hand tools are operated manually, and examples include hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and more. Power tools, on the other hand, are electrically-powered equipment such as drills, saws, and sanders.

Both hand tools and power tools are used for a variety of purposes and have their strengths and weaknesses. Hand tools are more versatile and can be used for a wider range of tasks. They are also more affordable and easier to maintain. Power tools, on the other hand, are more powerful and can be used for more heavy-duty tasks.

So, which type of tool is right for you? It depends on the task at hand. If you need a tool for a simple job, a hand tool will suffice. However, if you need a tool for a more complex task, a power tool is a better option.

Why Are They Necessary?

In any given workspace—whether it’s a home garage or a professional workshop—hand and power tools are a necessary part of getting any job done. With the right tools, workers can complete any task more efficiently and with greater precision.

But why are hand and power tools so necessary? First, they allow us to work more efficiently and productively. Second, they help us to avoid injuries by performing tasks that would otherwise be too difficult or dangerous for us to do. Lastly, they help us create better quality products.

When it comes to hand tools, they enable workers to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible or very difficult to do. For example, a screwdriver lets them insert and remove screws easily. A hammer allows them to drive nails into wood, while a saw helps cut through wood.

On the other hand, power tools help workers complete tasks more quickly and easily through the use of equipment powered by electricity or batteries. For example, a drill allows them to bore holes through wood, metal, or other materials with ease.

Power Tools vs. Hand Tools: What’s the Difference?

There are a variety of hand tools and power tools available on the market, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Hand tools are manually-operated tools that do not require any power source. They are often smaller and lighter than power tools, which makes them easier to maneuver and use for extended periods. Hand tools are also usually less expensive than power tools. On the downside, hand tools can be slower and more labor-intensive than power tools.

Power Tools

Power tools are mechanical or electrical devices powered by a motor or battery. They are typically faster and more powerful than hand tools, making them ideal for larger projects. However, power tools can be more difficult to control than hand tools and can also be more expensive.

To better understand the difference between these two tools, here’s a table breaking them down according to precision speed, length of use, energy source, and safety:

There are many different types of hand and power tools available on the market today. Selecting the right tool for the job is important, as using the wrong tool can often lead to poor results or even accidents.

Some common examples of hand tools include the following:

• Hand saws : Used for cutting wood, metal, or other materials.
• Hammers : Used for driving nails or other fasteners into wood or other materials.
• Screwdrivers : Used for driving screws into wood or other materials.
• Wrenches : Used for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts.

Power tools are another type of tool that can be used for a variety of tasks. Common examples of power tools include:

• Circular saws : Used for quickly cutting wood, metal, or other materials.
• Power drills : Used for making holes in wood, metal, or other materials.
• Angle grinders : Used for grinding, polishing, and deburring.
• Electric sanders : Used for smoothing and finishing.

What Kind of Injuries are Associated with Hand and Power Tools?

There are a variety of injuries that can be associated with hand and power tools. In fact, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission , about 400,000 people are sent to the emergency room due to hand and power tool injuries.

Some of the most common injuries include the following:

• Lacerations

In more severe cases, hand and power tools can lead to injuries such as:

• Amputations
• Electric shocks

Most of these injuries can be prevented by using the proper safety gear and following proper safety procedures. However, even with the best precautions, accidents can still happen. If you suffer an injury from a hand or power tool, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Safety Tips When Using Hand and Power Tools

Since hand and power tools are often used in construction and similar operations, it’s important to be aware of the potential workplace hazards before using them. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when using these tools:

Hand Tools Safety Tips

• Inspect your tools before each use to make sure they are in good condition.
• Be sure to use the proper tool for the job at hand.
• Use gloves, eye protection, and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed.
• Always be alert and focus on the task at hand.
• Keep your work area clean and tidy to avoid trip hazards.
• Discard any worn out-tools such as hammers, saws, etc.

Create Your Own Hand and Power Tool Safety Checklists

Eliminate manual tasks and streamline your operations.

Power Tools Safety Tips

• Read the operator’s manual before using any power tool.
• Wear appropriate PPE, including earplugs or earmuffs, if using loud tools.
• Use clamps or another type of stability device to secure your workpiece when using handheld power tools.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving parts.
• Keep your work area well-ventilated to avoid exposure to fumes and dust particles.
• Make sure that you unplug any power tools that are not in use.
• Ensure that the work area is dry and clean when using electrical tools.
• Check for any loose screws or equipment as well as worn-out cords, as they may cause accidents and electrocution.

Promote Hand and Power Tool Safety with SafetyCulture (iAuditor)

Why safetyculture (iauditor).

SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) is a digital safety platform that helps you use hand and power tools safely. With iAuditor, you can create safety audits, checklists, and inspections to ensure that all workers are using tools safely. You can also use iAuditor to track safety data, identify trends, and improve safety procedures over time.

Using hand and power tools safely is essential to preventing injuries in the workplace. With iAuditor, you can help keep your workers safe and improve your overall safety program.

• Raise problems in hand and power tools safety through Issues and assign corrective Actions to specific staff
• Disseminate proper guidelines and training meetings for hand and power tools to your team by raising a Heads Up
• Attach media and notes to inspections for proof of compliance or noncompliance
• Create analytical reports based on your completed inspections to identify points for improving safe practices when using tools
• Download and customize hand and power tool safety checklists to help prevent risks and hazards in the workplace

FAQs about Hand and Power Tools

What tool causes the most injuries.

Given that they provide more power when in use, power tools (e.g., table saws, chain saws, etc.) cause the most injuries. This is why it is essential to have proper safety gear and understand when using them.

What is the most used tool in construction?

The most common and used tool in construction is a hammer . Typically used for most carpentry, framing, and assembling works, this tool comes in various types and is very handy and portable.

Who is responsible for hand and power tool safety?

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) , the employer is responsible for keeping tools and equipment in good working condition that will be used by employees. They must also provide proper training to use it.

Do you need training to use power and hand tools?

Yes , training is essential for using hand and power tools. This is to ensure that workers have proper knowledge of how to operate it and prevent any unwanted accidents when working.

SafetyCulture Content Team

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Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand Held Equipment Term Paper

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Introduction

The regulatory requirements, potential hazards and the typical areas where they may be present, measures for controlling the hazards.

Rapid industrialization in the United States has facilitated the invention of several tools and equipment which are used to produce various goods. Hand and portable powered tools are commonly used in workshops to repair or to manufacture new goods. However, these tools are also health hazards at the workplace (Tillman, 2007, p. 45). Hand and portable powered tools often cause fatal injuries, especially, if they are not used appropriately.

In the US, more than 400,000 emergency room visits per year are attributed to the injuries that occur due to the use of hand and powered tools. Consequently, employers and employees must take the necessary precautions to avoid the injuries that occur due to the use of these tools. This paper will highlight the significant regulatory requirements, the potential hazards, as well as, the recommendations for controlling the hazards that are associated with the use of hand and portable powered tools.

OSHA requires all employers to ensure that the tools that are being used in their organizations are safe. The employers are also required to collaborate with their employees in order to identify workplace hazards and to implement measures that can help to control the identified hazards. The employees, on the other hand, are required to use the tools responsibly in order to avoid injuries. In this regard, OSHA requires users of hand and powered tools to observe the following regulations.

First, guards must be provided to protect employees from the injuries that can be caused by the exposed moving parts of a hand held equipment or a powered tool (OSHA, 2012). Some of the tools that require safety guards include shafts and flywheels. These tools must always be fitted with safety guards in order to prevent accidents or injuries at the workplace.

Second, all electric tools must be fitted with a three-wire cord that is connected to a ground receptacle. The cord must also be double insulated in order to prevent shocks. Electric tools must be operated according to their manufacturers’ recommendations. Thus, the employers must ensure that all tools have user manuals that guide their use. Additionally, electric tools should be operated in areas with adequate light in order to avoid wrong connections and tripping hazards that can be caused by the tools’ power cords.

Third, pneumatic tools such as chippers and drills must be checked on a regular basis in order to ensure that they are properly fitted to the air hose. The users of these tools must examine them on a regular basis in order to identify and repair the damaged parts (OSHA, 2012). Employers are required to restrict access to areas where tools are being used in order to prevent injuries. Finally, the employees must be trained to use the tools and equipment appropriately.

Hand and portable powered tools are associated with the following hazards. Inappropriate use of hand and powered tools is one of the major causes of injuries at the workplace.

Concisely, tools such as chisels are likely to break if they are used for the wrong purposes. The broken pieces can fly off and hit the user or his fellow workers. Similarly, a hummer with a wooden handle that is either damaged or loosely fitted can cause a fatal accident.

In this case, the hummer’s head is likely to fly off and injure the person who is using it or other workers. Moving parts of equipment such as blades and belts can cause serious cuts if they are not fitted with safety guards (Bohle & Quinlan, 2000, p. 78). Additionally, tools which are used for cutting such as power saws can cause fatal cuts if they are not used properly or if they are not well maintained.

The use of hand-held electric tools can cause severe shocks and burns. Electric shocks are very dangerous since they often cause death. Additionally, they usually cause health risks such as heart attacks, as well as, tissue damages. Electric shocks tend to occur when the tool is faulty or the recommended power supply is exceeded. Inappropriate storage of hand and portable powered tools can also cause tripping at the workplace.

Tripping can cause severe injuries such as fractures and cuts. Apart from causing direct injuries, hand and powered tools often cause sound pollution (Bohle & Quinlan, 2000, p. 82). For example, the use of hammers in metal workshops for panel beating activities often causes a lot of noise. Tools with moving parts can also produce a lot of noise that can be harmful to the operator and the neighbors.

The aforementioned hazards can be present in any work station where hand and portable powered tools are being used. Some of the most common areas where these tools are used include the following. To begin with, hand and portable powered tools are used in, nearly, all wood and metal workshops. In wood workshops, tools such as hummers, chisels and saws are used to manufacture pieces of furniture.

In metal workshops, electric grinders and hummers among others are used to shape metals and to manufacture different metallic products. The employees in these workshops are exposed to the hazards that are associated with the use of hand and portable powered tools (Bohle & Quinlan, 2000, p. 87). People who are living around the workshops are also likely to be affected by the sound pollution that occurs due to the use of the tools in these workshops.

The hazards are also present in construction sites. Most construction works such as building houses using timber requires the use of tools such as electric saws, hummers and drills among others. In this case, the employees who are involved in the construction work are directly exposed to the hazards.

In some factories, hand and portable powered tools and equipment are used to manufacture goods. This usually happens in factories where automation is impossible or the production process requires the use of hand and powered tools (Bohle & Quinlan, 2000, p. 93). In a factory setting, the tools pose a great danger since their use can cause a major accident such as a fire outbreak.

For instance, an electric fault in a tool can cause sparks which eventually develops into a fire, especially, if highly inflammable materials are being used in the factory. Finally, the hazards associated with the use of hand tools can be present in residential areas. Most people have hand tools such as screwdrivers. However, they hardly know how to use the tools correctly. In this context, the owners of the tools are exposed to the danger of being injured.

Several measures have been proposed by OSHA to help in controlling the hazards that are associated with the use of hand and portable powered tools. The best method for managing a hazard involves eliminating its causes (Leiter, Zanaletti, & Argentero, 2009, pp. 46-50). This means that the use of hand and portable powered tools should be eliminated.

Since this is not likely to be possible, the most practical measure should focus on promoting the correct use of the tools. In this regard, the following measures can be considered. First, employers must conduct regular health and safety audits in their premises in order to identify potential hazards. Early identification of hazards provides the opportunity for taking remedial action in time.

Second, all employees must receive adequate training concerning the use of various hand and portable powered tools. The rationale of this strategy is that most injuries often occur due to inappropriate use of hand and portable powered tools. The employees should also be trained on the hazards that are associated with the use of the tools and how such hazards can be managed. For example, all employees should undergo training on how to offer first aid in the event of an accident.

Third, personal protective equipment should always be used in order to prevent injuries. For example, using gloves can help in reducing cuts. All employees should be able to access the personal protective equipment at the workplace. Fourth, tools must always be stored correctly when they are not being used (Leiter, Zanaletti, & Argentero, 2009, pp. 46-50).

Access to the tools must be limited to authorized individuals who are capable of using them correctly. This will help in avoiding injuries that normally occur due to inappropriate use of tools. Additionally, employees must be encouraged to use the right tool or equipment for the right purpose.

Fifth, keeping all tools and equipment in good condition can help in reducing accidents at the workplace. All damaged tools must be repaired before being used. Similarly, the tools and equipment which are not well guarded should not be used. Finally, all tools and equipment must be used according to the manufacturers’ specifications. For instance, the power supply that is used in electric tools should not exceed the recommended ratings.

According to OSHA, all employers are required to provide their employees with safe hand and portable powered tools. Additionally, the employees must be able to use the tools appropriately. The most common hazards that are associated with the use of these tools include injuries such as cuts, burns, fractures and electric shocks. The hazards are often present in workplaces such as workshops, factories and construction sites where hand and portable powered tools are highly used.

The measures that can be used to control the hazards include correct storage of the tools, using personal protective equipment and appropriate use of the tools (Tillman, 2007, p. 76). This paper highlighted the significant regulatory requirement, potential hazards and the measures for controlling the hazards that are associated with the use of hand and portable powered tools. The findings indicate that the benefits of using these tools can only be maximized if the hazards associated with them are controlled.

Bohle, P., & Quinlan, M. (2000). Managing Occupational Health and Safety. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Leiter, P., Zanaletti, W., & Argentero, P. (2009). Occupational Risk Perception, Safety Training and Injury Prevention: Testing a Model in Italian Printing Industry. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 3 (4), 46-50.

OSHA. 2012. 1910 Subpart P: Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand-Held Equipment. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/index.html .

Tillman, C. (2007). Principles of Occupational Health and Hygiene. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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IvyPanda. (2018, November 20). Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand Held Equipment. https://ivypanda.com/essays/hand-and-portable-powered-tools-and-other-hand-held-equipment/

"Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand Held Equipment." IvyPanda , 20 Nov. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/hand-and-portable-powered-tools-and-other-hand-held-equipment/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand Held Equipment'. 20 November.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand Held Equipment." November 20, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/hand-and-portable-powered-tools-and-other-hand-held-equipment/.

1. IvyPanda . "Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand Held Equipment." November 20, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/hand-and-portable-powered-tools-and-other-hand-held-equipment/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand Held Equipment." November 20, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/hand-and-portable-powered-tools-and-other-hand-held-equipment/.

30 Tips for Hand and Power Tool Safety

Workplace Safety

More than one million people are hurt using hand and power tools every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Not only do people suffer physically, but their injuries also often hurt them financially. Their employers lose money, too. The CPSC reports injuries with hand and power tools cost $15.4 million a year in medical bills and lost work. Many of the visits to hospitals and doctors’ offices could be prevented with more attention to hand and power tool safety.

HSI’s mission is to make the workplace safer and smarter . Thus, we offer the following tips for hand and power tool safety. According to OSHA, these are the leading causes of injuries from using hand and power tools :

• Wooden handles break, causing the head of the tool to fly off and hit the user or others.
• Employees are exposed to harmful dust, fumes, or gasses.
• Workers using power tools that aren’t grounded properly get shocked.

Accidents on the job happen more frequently when employees are doing a repetitive job, something unexpected happens, or they are inexperienced or overconfident about using the tool. These tips for hand and power tool safety help employees stay safe and perform well.

Choose the Right Tools and Take Care of Them

OSHA protects employees by requiring companies to ensure their employees use safe tools and equipment and follow safety guidelines. No matter how many years an employee has under his belt, reviewing the following tips for hand and power tool safety regularly is critical to staying safe.

• Buy quality tools. Hammers with wooden handles are not as safe as those made of steel hand tools. Make sure steel tools are heat-treated.
• Regularly inspect tools to ensure they are in good condition and work properly.
• If you find something wrong with a tool, don’t use it, and report the problem to your manager.
• Perform regular maintenance on your tools, like grinding or sharpening saw blades.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Keep extra tools handy in case the tool you had planned to use is damaged.
• Make sure to store your tools in a safe place, keeping sharp edges from children and others who may get hurt trying to use the tools.
• When working up high, do not leave tools where they could fall on workers below.

Tips for Hand and Power Tool Safety - Electric Tools

Because of the potential dangers involved in using power tools OSHA provides specific safety guidelines for their use. OSHA requires many handheld power tools to be equipped with a constant-pressure switch button that cuts off the power when pressure drops including drills, tappers, angle grinders, saws, and sanders. Many power tools with blades must have safety devices that allow the user to shut the tool off in a single motion.

One of the most serious workplace injuries involving tools is electrical shock from power tools. Electrical shocks can cause heart failure and burns. Sometimes a worker is shocked while on a ladder, then loses their balance and is injured in a fall. Tips for preventing electrical shock are at the top of the list of ways to stay safe using power tools.

• Use tools that are double-insulated or have a three-pointed power cord and are plugged into a power source with a rounded receptacle.
• Do not use electric tools in wet conditions unless they are approved for that use.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or an assured grounding program. Use the appropriate PPI like face protection or leather work gloves.
• Keep your work area dry and clean to avoid slipping while working with or around dangerous electric power tools.
• Be sure to find good footing, maintain balance, and secure your work with clamps or a vise to free both of your hands for safe use of power tools.
• Never carry portable electric tools by their cords and do not yank them from the power source.
• Prevent accidental starting by keeping your fingers away from the switch button while carrying a power tool.

Tips for Using Pneumatic Tools Safely

Pneumatic nail gun accidents send 37,000 carpenters to the emergency room each year according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health . Most people have wounds on their fingers or hands. Sometimes, they have more serious injuries, like eye injuries.

Wearing eye and face protection is an important safety measure for working with pneumatic nail guns and OSHA watches companies carefully to make sure workers are protected. In its FY2021 report on the most frequent safety violations, OSHA reports construction companies’ failure to meet standards for face and eye protection were among the top ten violations in FY2021.

Safety experts urge construction companies to take steps to improve safety if necessary. These tips for hand and power tool safety related to pneumatic tools are a good place to improve your attention to safety.

• Verify that all parts of the tool are fastened securely before each use.
• Never point a compressed air gun at yourself or another person.
• When you are finished using an air gun, make sure the pressure is released before you break the hose connections. Never store an air gun that is loaded.
• Use a safety clip or retainer to prevent attachments from being ejected during operation, and use a chip guard when using high-pressure compressed air for cleaning. Be sure to limit the nozzle pressure to 30 pounds per square inch.
• Always wear eye protection.
• Ensure a secure work environment by using screens to protect nearby workers from flying fragments.
• Never leave tools unattended.

How to Prepare Yourself and Your Space for Staying Safe

Using tools safely includes more than knowing the tools. Employees must pay attention to what they wear, how they carry their tools, and where they stand. To protect employees from the dangers of slips and electrical shock, managers should ensure floors are kept as clean and dry as possible. Tips for hand and power tool safety include choosing the right clothing:

• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry that can get caught in a tool’s moving parts.
• Stay safe by wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), like leather gloves, safety goggles, or face shields.
• Make sure your work area is level and you have good balance when using tools.
• Be aware of the people around you and ensure they stay a safe distance from your workspace.
• Never climb a ladder with a tool in your hand. Instead, find someone on the ground to hoist tools to you with a bucket or bag on a rope.
• Don’t carry pointed tools in your pocket. Carry them in a toolbox or cart instead.
• Use the right tool for the job. For example, don’t use a wrench to pound in a nail when you should be using a hammer.
• When appropriate, secure your project with a clamp or vise to keep it from slipping.

The Best Performance Starts with Safety Training

OSHA requires employers to train employees on the proper use of tools and equipment. Go over these tips for hand and power tool safety regularly with your employees and consider taking safety management a step further by partnering with HSI. We provide tools for engaging your employees in training and making safety top-of-mind at your company.

One HSI partner says that not only do workers enjoy the safety training and comment that they frequently learn something new, the addition of the HSI training platform and content has reduced injuries and incidents .

“we’re at 722 days incident-free...and I attribute that to training.”

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Understanding Power Tool Features and Functions to Improve Efficiency

Managers specifying power tools for technicians might assume that tools are similar and likely to function about the same. There are major differences among power tools, and one important difference lies in their features and functions. These elements make a major difference in achieving productivity goals: quality, quantity, safety, timeliness, and cost.

One example involves features and functions for fastener assembly using low- versus high-productivity methods. One low-productivity method to insert a wood screw is starting a hole with the tip of the screw, then driving the screw with a hand screwdriver.

The higher-productivity method is hand-drilling a pilot hole, then using a screwdriver to insert the screw, or using a one-chuck power drill to drill the hole and a driver to fasten the screw. The technician achieves highest productivity using a two-chuck, quick-switching combination on the same tool to drill the pilot hole and drive the screw.

The latter method is four times faster than the manual method and twice as fast as using separate drill-and-drive steps with one chuck. Therefore, it requires one-fourth of the labor cost of the first method at the same pay rate. Add to this the savings in setup time of a standard, one-size-fits-all hex chuck, cordless drill compared to a screwed chuck, corded drill and the productivity improvement is even better – very little setup time and 400 percent faster with the two-chuck than the manual screwdriver method.

Spotlight on saws

Portable power saws have become workhorses of many maintenance departments. They perform a variety of tasks and come in a number of different styles: circular, reciprocating, miter, band, and chain.

Managers first should take a close look at saws’ shared features — power capacity, weight, corded or cordless, ergonomics, and safety. If all of a department’s power tools are the same make and powered by a common battery pack, technicians will need only one charger and a few battery packs to power all tools.

Depending on the work technicians will do, other common considerations include: weight; cut depth and width at 90 degrees; a long battery run time and short charge time; power management; a brushless motor for longer motor life; training; and warranty duration, inclusions, and exclusions.

Circular saw features to consider include:

• Weight. A 4½-inch-diameter saw weighs one-half as much as 7¼-inch-diameter model and still can make a 2-inch cut in one stroke.

• Blades. Thin blades reduce load, deliver higher-speed performance, and reduce cut time. A left-sided blade provides higher visibility and is safer.

• Quick depth and bevel adjustments.

• Ergonomic grips. They provide balance, grip for comfort and power, and better control with two-handed gripping.

• Power capacity. It has to meet job needs from 4 to 17 amps and voltage selection with an eye to available power sources. Doubling the voltage to 220 volts (V) from 110 V halves the amp draw, reducing power cost proportionately.

Technicians can achieve flexibility and cut speed with portable abrasive cutoff saws, which cut pipe, tube, bar stock, brick, block, sheet metal, and wire mesh or rebar. Technicians can make blade changes quickly without removing the base. They tend to be noisy, so ear protection is a must. If dark workplaces are a factor, a built-in LED light focused on the cut path yields better control and cut accuracy, as well as safety.

Reciprocating saws, with their push-pull action and the right features, can perform plunge cuts and curved cuts that other saws cannot. Plunge cuts can quickly make an electric box cutout in wall board or a pipe or conduit hole in wallboard or a wood floor.

Other key features of reciprocating saws include: a trigger-adjustable blade speed for more efficient, quicker cuts; a trigger lock; toolless blade and pivoting shoe changes; a cut line dust blower; lightweight; extended battery life; a brushless motor for cooler operation and longer motor life; and power capacity adequate for light-duty work.

Chainsaws and electric loppers — whether electric corded, cordless, or gasoline-powered portable — can handle most tree-trimming jobs. Features managers should consider for most efficient operation start with safety. Studies show that 28,000 chainsaw injuries occur annually, so clearly, safety features and personal protective equipment, such as hard hat, hard toed shoes, goggles, gloves, and tight clothes are a must.

Most chainsaws exceed the permissible noise limit of 85 decibels, so ear protection is a must. Electric models can handle light-duty tasks, while gasoline models are suited for heavy-duty jobs. Workers can use electric loppers for small branch trimming.

Making a match

Before specification managers should perform a survey of recently completed jobs that involved power tools in order to identify the power, versatility, and durability factors that technicians need for high-productivity performance.

Did the tools used perform well? What were the shortfalls, if any? What characteristics would have enabled the technician to improve job quantity and quality and lower cost while still working safely? Three factors – job preparation, setup and tool change at the job site, and tool use during the job — are important considerations.

The more multi-tasking capability a power tool offers, the better tool utilization will be and the fewer tools technicians will require. In the wood screw assembly example above, one driver performs both drilling and driving. Coupled with quick chuck rotation from one driver to the other, the result is a high-productivity system that gets a quality job done fast with less labor at lower cost. By using a predetermined time system, managers and technicians can make a side-by-side comparison of several method times to identify the best time before making a purchase.

Thomas A. Westerkamp is a maintenance and engineering management consultant and president of the work management division of Westerkamp Group LLC.

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Power Tool Corporation Business Plan

Executive Summary

The current situation is that our current products are enjoying only 3% in any of its product lines. This can be contrasted with power saws which tend to enjoy a better response from consumers hence more profitable for the manufacturer. Another issue is the quality of tools being assembled. The ranges of power tools in the market are of low quality and only circular saws seem to be of better quality. This has really affected our business as we currently do not deal with circular saws despite its dominance in the market.

The firm has ventured into cordless technology which has essentially assisted the company brand and has placed it at the forefront of cordless brands. The only issue is that competitors have simply duplicated our company’s products and sold them as their own. This has severely affected the e product brand and or customers

A feasibility analysis was conducted which exposed the marketplace needs, placing the practicability and need for the company to introduce an innovative product into the market. The presence of partly underexploited and partly unexploited opportunities presents a potentiality for profitable cordless and other products. Nevertheless, there are a number of obstacles that might hinder the development of this business (Rorbit, 2008).

These hindrances have been analyzed comprehensively and achievable solutions identified. The growth opportunities have also been identified plus the corresponding way of maximally utilizing them. The business targets stable growth whilst implementing diverse growth strategies and efforts aimed at countering the problem of competition.

The mission statement for the business is unambiguous and the goals have been set to achieve the objective of establishing cost-effective and efficient power tools. The target population for the business has been identified and thus the strategies for marketing can be developed in a manner that will suit the consumers. The potential weaknesses and strengths for the business have been analyzed and this will assist in coming up with diverse ways to minimize weaknesses and capitalize on strengths. Pricing mechanism has already been identified, where prices will be set at a 45% mark-up, this is healthy for the business when introducing these new products into the market as it will draw in new consumers while retaining the old ones (Slocum and Foster, 2008). This mark-up will later be increased to 65% after a lapse of one year so as to maximize gains.

A capital budget was developed which revealed that the largest percentage of the expenditure budget will go into the acquisition of patents and contracting of specialized teams of Power tool researchers and marketers. This will also include market strategists who will propose the best ways to push the power tools to the consumer in the best and fastest way that will keep them satisfied. This will also include the salary payment for the workers. The entire capital budget will be financed from the contribution by the proprietor.

Mitigation of risk analysis was made by the adoption of ‘what if’ analysis and through the application of the spreadsheet model (a computer software) to conduct probability and simulation assessments (Pulque, 2009). This business plan is being utilized to explore the cost of expanding the business by exploring new markets for our products while still innovating new power tools. This would make the power tools more accessible to our low to moderate end-users.

Our mission is run a business which is profitable through provision of quality power tools that will match the expectations of our consumers both in price and professional requirements. Our goal is to adapt the experience of the customer, based on first interview information and the feedback, in order to ensure the comfort of the customer as they work with our tools. This will ensure that the company increases the repeat of the business.

To be the leading Power Tools provider both locally and internationally.

Company Objectives

• To offer tailor-made experience to our clients on the grounds of the original interview information, in addition to the timely feedback.
• To ensure client’s satisfaction and comfort, and to enhance customer loyalty.
• To generate revenues to the proprietor

Business Philosophy

“Be the best Power tool Provider to better the lives and work of others and never end improving”

Keys to Success

• Enhancing customer loyalty: offering quality and Innovative tools that bring clients back for more habitual treatments and encouraging them to give referrals ranging from their friends to other professionals who can recommend their clients to us.
• Personalized attention: doing everything possible to ensure customization of experience for each and every client as per his/her preference.
• Professionalism: this involves upholding confidentiality including keeping our staff members updated in terms of training.

Our team will be composed of a dynamic management team which draws from earlier experience in Engineering, Information Technology and marketing. The services we will be offering will be unique and distinct from those of our competitors e.g. we will be the only company offering unpaid seminars to the public, where people will be taught on the importance of choosing the correct power tools plus a lesson on how to use them. Our principle is viewed as more of a philosophy—we are committed to brilliance in all our undertakings, to innovate whenever a chance crops up and to offer expertise exercises in a supportive and caring manner.

Market analysis

Market segment.

There has been a continued increase in the number of persons and companies seeking power tools that are reliable and easy to use. Companies have been specifically requesting for quality machines that are able to withstand the long hours that they are needed to perform the task. This has placed a great demand on our research and development team as they have had to experiment with many materials and under different environments in order to come up with better tools. Tools such as power saws which are continually enjoying great demand is one of the power tools that our team has been conducting feasibility studies, in order to know how to address the needs of the customer.

Having no prior experience in the sale of circular saws, our company has had to spend big on market research for the saws. Currently the saws are popular with the population. It is the work of this plan to also emphasize on the need to diversify into this product line.

Barriers to entry

The foremost impediment to potential investors wishing to establish a niche in the power tool industry especially circular saws has been the cost of production plus the technical expertise and purchase of relevant patents that come with the new technology.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis was conducted and it revealed that the company set would have a number of strengths alongside some challenges. The main strengths identified included the authentic demand for quality services and new products such as circular saws, that the corporation is prepared to render; the company has the necessary capital outlay, the strong marketing strategy/plan, plus the supplementary services that it will be offering to its clients that were not being offered by the other firms in the market, for instance nationwide seminars and lessons to the public. This will also include product advertising using both print and electronic media.

The challenges identified entailed the huge opening capital outlay plus the ordinary uncertainties associated with the products being relatively fresh in the market and the high operating costs.

The weaknesses and strengths of company’s competitor’s were analyzed so as to find out what the firm was up against in addition to identifying potential weaknesses and how to optimally exploit them. The main weaknesses that were identified included low quality of some of the existent products, thus reducing brand value in our clients, slow response to market needs and competition. Uncertainties within the corporation regarding the impending take over by the new company. Possibility of human capital flight after the takeover and old technology,

Some of the activities that can contribute to firm’s success include identification of emergent trends and integrating them into the current operations to ensure quick embracement of technology dynamics/be there early, provide superior management services, persisting in investing money and time in advertising and marketing, and continued expansion into specialty markets.

Annual Growth Strategy

We anticipate the company’s growth to increase by 70% per year on the ground that the business will be stepping up its sales and marketing efforts, over and above initiating new alliances and partnerships with construction and allied sector accompanies that will foster extensions and growth of our contemporary markets. These strategies are designed to build impetus within the business and its general sales results.

Strategic Objectives

The strategic objectives of the company are divided into timelines by which they should be met. The company has been in business before and hence controls a considerable market share. The company’s short-term objective is to strengthen the brand name of the products offered to its clients. This is will entail vigorous marketing and innovative ways of marketing to both old and new, prospective clients. This will also entail our research and development team to implement solutions to problems raised by clients.

5 Year Strategic Objective

The company aims to have established recognizable presence on the power tools market in Northern America and Europe with innovative products for all our clients. With the help of franchise marketing, the company’s brand can be transmitted to major cities and towns. Franchising will assist the company by ensuring that company expansion while keeping operating and capital expenditures in check.

10 Year Strategic Objective

The company aims to have gone global in ten years time as a result of innovative and strategic decisions implemented both by the board and staff in the company. Although ten years might seem like a short time of achieving this goal, with hard work, this can be done.

Pulque, M (2009). In Encyclopedia Britannica . Web.

Rorbit, J. (2008). The 2008 China physical therapy Market Report Announces That Large-Sized Enterprises Accomplished.  Web.

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Essay on Knowledge is Power: Samples in 100, 200, 300 Words

• Updated on  
• Dec 15, 2023

‘ Knowledge is power’ phrase is derived from a Latin term, which is attributed to Sir Francis Bacon, a well-known essayist of all times. Knowledge is power has been accepted widely and timelessly as it underscores the significance of knowledge in empowering people, societies and countries . 

Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.’ Knowledge not only improves a person’s understanding of the world but also teaches them life lessons to develop decision-making skills and contribute to the betterment of society. Below we have discussed some essays on knowledge is power in different word limits.

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Knowledge is Power in 100 Words
• 2 Essay on Knowledge is Power in 200 Words
• 3 Essay on Knowledge is Power in 300 Words

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Essay on Knowledge is Power in 100 Words

‘Knowledge is power’ is a timeless truth. A person with knowledge can empower himself to make informed decisions, enhance personal growth and contribute to the development of society. Knowledge equips us with effective tools to navigate the challenges of life and achieve our goals in real-time. The pursuit of knowledge is education. A person who is educated and has the right knowledge will find success in life. 

The world we live in is driven by knowledge-based education and innovations. From agriculture to healthcare, every activity and field requires you to have proper knowledge and understanding of it. Whether it is at the individual level or global level, people who prioritize education and knowledge enjoy economic prosperity and influence.

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Essay on Knowledge is Power in 200 Words

Knowledge is so powerful that it can reshape the entire world or destroy it, depending on the purpose for which it is used. The phrase, ‘Knowledge is Power’ was given by Sir Francis Bacon. With knowledge, one can have a profound impact on their life and the people surrounding it.

Knowledge emperors a person in various ways, from personal growth to changes at the global level. With knowledge, we gain new skills, insights and perspectives about a particular subject. This equips us to excel in our chosen field, pursue all our aspirations and fulfil our dream life.

A person with the right knowledge can make informed decisions. If you are someone who possesses broad knowledge about different subjects, it will be very easy for you to critically analyze any situation, weigh options and make choices that best suit your plans. This not only leads to better personal outcomes but also fosters a sense of autonomy and self-determination. Knowledge is considered as the driving force behind progress. Scientific discoveries, technological innovations, cultural evolution and social developments are all fueled by accumulated knowledge. A very classic example of this is the history of human civilization. We must use knowledge knowledge ethically and ensure its equitable distribution or access.

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Essay on Knowledge is Power in 300 Words

Knowledge is deemed as the most powerful tool a human possesses. It is the cornerstone of power in our modern society. The universally acknowledged phrase ‘Knowledge is power’ highlights the profound impact knowledge has on individuals and society, and both.

The first thing to know about knowledge is that it is the key to personal development and empowerment. When a person acquires knowledge, they open doors to personal growth and development. Depending on the person’s expertise and field, this empowerment can come in various forms. I person with the right knowledge often finds himself confident, adaptable, and capable of overcoming obstacles in life.

Moreover, knowledge equips you to make informed decisions. We are living in a world which is driven by information. A person who is well-equipped with knowledge about his or her specific field can critically assess a situation, evaluate the options and make choices that best suit their individual needs and values. This not only enhances their personal lives but also fosters a sense of agency and self-determination.

Knowledge is the driving force behind progress, development and innovation. From the time of industrialization to the invention of the internet, knowledge has been the deciding factor for transformative change, improving the quality of life for countless individuals. 

The importance of knowledge is not only limited to individual benefits of scientific discoveries. It also plays a critical role in a country’s governance. It allows you to make informed political decisions, and actively participate in the democratic process. In this way, knowledge serves as a safeguard against tyranny and injustice.

At last, the phrase ‘knowledge is power’ remains a timeless truth that highlights the profound impact of knowledge on a person’s development and societal changes. With this power comes the responsibility to use knowledge ethically and ensure equal access for all, as knowledge remains a vital path to personal and collective empowerment in our ever-changing world.

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The phrase ‘knowledge itself is power’ denotes the meaning that knowing empowers your understanding of the world so that you can make informed decisions for yourself and others. In this way, knowledge is equal to power, as it can help in shaping the future of an individual to an entire country.

Knowledge is considered as an accumulation of information, skills facts and understanding acquired through deep learning, experience and observation. It represents a deep and organised awareness of the world around us, encompassing various fields of knowledge, such as culture, science and technology, history and practical know-how. Knowledge empowers individuals by providing the tools to make informed decisions, solve problems, and navigate life’s complexities. It serves as a foundation for personal growth, innovation, and societal progress, shaping our perceptions and actions. 

A person can improve their knowledge by reading informative articles, newspapers and books, enrolling in courses related to their field of study, attending workshops and seminars, engaging in discussions, etc.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

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With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Article contents

Language and power.

• Sik Hung Ng Sik Hung Ng Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China
•  and  Fei Deng Fei Deng School of Foreign Studies, South China Agricultural University
• https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.436
• Published online: 22 August 2017

Five dynamic language–power relationships in communication have emerged from critical language studies, sociolinguistics, conversation analysis, and the social psychology of language and communication. Two of them stem from preexisting powers behind language that it reveals and reflects, thereby transferring the extralinguistic powers to the communication context. Such powers exist at both the micro and macro levels. At the micro level, the power behind language is a speaker’s possession of a weapon, money, high social status, or other attractive personal qualities—by revealing them in convincing language, the speaker influences the hearer. At the macro level, the power behind language is the collective power (ethnolinguistic vitality) of the communities that speak the language. The dominance of English as a global language and international lingua franca, for example, has less to do with its linguistic quality and more to do with the ethnolinguistic vitality of English-speakers worldwide that it reflects. The other three language–power relationships refer to the powers of language that are based on a language’s communicative versatility and its broad range of cognitive, communicative, social, and identity functions in meaning-making, social interaction, and language policies. Such language powers include, first, the power of language to maintain existing dominance in legal, sexist, racist, and ageist discourses that favor particular groups of language users over others. Another language power is its immense impact on national unity and discord. The third language power is its ability to create influence through single words (e.g., metaphors), oratories, conversations and narratives in political campaigns, emergence of leaders, terrorist narratives, and so forth.

• power behind language
• power of language
• intergroup communication
• World Englishes
• oratorical power
• conversational power
• leader emergence
• al-Qaeda narrative
• social identity approach

Introduction

Language is for communication and power.

Language is a natural human system of conventionalized symbols that have understood meanings. Through it humans express and communicate their private thoughts and feelings as well as enact various social functions. The social functions include co-constructing social reality between and among individuals, performing and coordinating social actions such as conversing, arguing, cheating, and telling people what they should or should not do. Language is also a public marker of ethnolinguistic, national, or religious identity, so strong that people are willing to go to war for its defense, just as they would defend other markers of social identity, such as their national flag. These cognitive, communicative, social, and identity functions make language a fundamental medium of human communication. Language is also a versatile communication medium, often and widely used in tandem with music, pictures, and actions to amplify its power. Silence, too, adds to the force of speech when it is used strategically to speak louder than words. The wide range of language functions and its versatility combine to make language powerful. Even so, this is only one part of what is in fact a dynamic relationship between language and power. The other part is that there is preexisting power behind language which it reveals and reflects, thereby transferring extralinguistic power to the communication context. It is thus important to delineate the language–power relationships and their implications for human communication.

This chapter provides a systematic account of the dynamic interrelationships between language and power, not comprehensively for lack of space, but sufficiently focused so as to align with the intergroup communication theme of the present volume. The term “intergroup communication” will be used herein to refer to an intergroup perspective on communication, which stresses intergroup processes underlying communication and is not restricted to any particular form of intergroup communication such as interethnic or intergender communication, important though they are. It echoes the pioneering attempts to develop an intergroup perspective on the social psychology of language and communication behavior made by pioneers drawn from communication, social psychology, and cognate fields (see Harwood et al., 2005 ). This intergroup perspective has fostered the development of intergroup communication as a discipline distinct from and complementing the discipline of interpersonal communication. One of its insights is that apparently interpersonal communication is in fact dynamically intergroup (Dragojevic & Giles, 2014 ). For this and other reasons, an intergroup perspective on language and communication behavior has proved surprisingly useful in revealing intergroup processes in health communication (Jones & Watson, 2012 ), media communication (Harwood & Roy, 2005 ), and communication in a variety of organizational contexts (Giles, 2012 ).

The major theoretical foundation that has underpinned the intergroup perspective is social identity theory (Tajfel, 1982 ), which continues to service the field as a metatheory (Abrams & Hogg, 2004 ) alongside relatively more specialized theories such as ethnolinguistic identity theory (Harwood et al., 1994 ), communication accommodation theory (Palomares et al., 2016 ), and self-categorization theory applied to intergroup communication (Reid et al., 2005 ). Against this backdrop, this chapter will be less concerned with any particular social category of intergroup communication or variant of social identity theory, and more with developing a conceptual framework of looking at the language–power relationships and their implications for understanding intergroup communication. Readers interested in an intra- or interpersonal perspective may refer to the volume edited by Holtgraves ( 2014a ).

Conceptual Approaches to Power

Bertrand Russell, logician cum philosopher and social activist, published a relatively little-known book on power when World War II was looming large in Europe (Russell, 2004 ). In it he asserted the fundamental importance of the concept of power in the social sciences and likened its importance to the concept of energy in the physical sciences. But unlike physical energy, which can be defined in a formula (e.g., E=MC 2 ), social power has defied any such definition. This state of affairs is not unexpected because the very nature of (social) power is elusive. Foucault ( 1979 , p. 92) has put it this way: “Power is everywhere, not because it embraces everything, but because it comes from everywhere.” This view is not beyond criticism but it does highlight the elusiveness of power. Power is also a value-laden concept meaning different things to different people. To functional theorists and power-wielders, power is “power to,” a responsibility to unite people and do good for all. To conflict theorists and those who are dominated, power is “power over,” which corrupts and is a source of social conflict rather than integration (Lenski, 1966 ; Sassenberg et al., 2014 ). These entrenched views surface in management–labor negotiations and political debates between government and opposition. Management and government would try to frame the negotiation in terms of “power to,” whereas labor and opposition would try to frame the same in “power over” in a clash of power discourses. The two discourses also interchange when the same speakers reverse their power relations: While in opposition, politicians adhere to “power over” rhetorics, once in government, they talk “power to.” And vice versa.

The elusive and value-laden nature of power has led to a plurality of theoretical and conceptual approaches. Five approaches that are particularly pertinent to the language–power relationships will be discussed, and briefly so because of space limitation. One approach views power in terms of structural dominance in society by groups who own and/or control the economy, the government, and other social institutions. Another approach views power as the production of intended effects by overcoming resistance that arises from objective conflict of interests or from psychological reactance to being coerced, manipulated, or unfairly treated. A complementary approach, represented by Kurt Lewin’s field theory, takes the view that power is not the actual production of effects but the potential for doing this. It looks behind power to find out the sources or bases of this potential, which may stem from the power-wielders’ access to the means of punishment, reward, and information, as well as from their perceived expertise and legitimacy (Raven, 2008 ). A fourth approach views power in terms of the balance of control/dependence in the ongoing social exchange between two actors that takes place either in the absence or presence of third parties. It provides a structural account of power-balancing mechanisms in social networking (Emerson, 1962 ), and forms the basis for combining with symbolic interaction theory, which brings in subjective factors such as shared social cognition and affects for the analysis of power in interpersonal and intergroup negotiation (Stolte, 1987 ). The fifth, social identity approach digs behind the social exchange account, which has started from control/dependence as a given but has left it unexplained, to propose a three-process model of power emergence (Turner, 2005 ). According to this model, it is psychological group formation and associated group-based social identity that produce influence; influence then cumulates to form the basis of power, which in turn leads to the control of resources.

Common to the five approaches above is the recognition that power is dynamic in its usage and can transform from one form of power to another. Lukes ( 2005 ) has attempted to articulate three different forms or faces of power called “dimensions.” The first, behavioral dimension of power refers to decision-making power that is manifest in the open contest for dominance in situations of objective conflict of interests. Non-decision-making power, the second dimension, is power behind the scene. It involves the mobilization of organizational bias (e.g., agenda fixing) to keep conflict of interests from surfacing to become public issues and to deprive oppositions of a communication platform to raise their voices, thereby limiting the scope of decision-making to only “safe” issues that would not challenge the interests of the power-wielder. The third dimension is ideological and works by socializing people’s needs and values so that they want the wants and do the things wanted by the power-wielders, willingly as their own. Conflict of interests, opposition, and resistance would be absent from this form of power, not because they have been maneuvered out of the contest as in the case of non-decision-making power, but because the people who are subject to power are no longer aware of any conflict of interest in the power relationship, which may otherwise ferment opposition and resistance. Power in this form can be exercised without the application of coercion or reward, and without arousing perceived manipulation or conflict of interests.

Language–Power Relationships

As indicated in the chapter title, discussion will focus on the language–power relationships, and not on language alone or power alone, in intergroup communication. It draws from all the five approaches to power and can be grouped for discussion under the power behind language and the power of language. In the former, language is viewed as having no power of its own and yet can produce influence and control by revealing the power behind the speaker. Language also reflects the collective/historical power of the language community that uses it. In the case of modern English, its preeminent status as a global language and international lingua franca has shaped the communication between native and nonnative English speakers because of the power of the English-speaking world that it reflects, rather than because of its linguistic superiority. In both cases, language provides a widely used conventional means to transfer extralinguistic power to the communication context. Research on the power of language takes the view that language has power of its own. This power allows a language to maintain the power behind it, unite or divide a nation, and create influence.

In Figure 1 we have grouped the five language–power relationships into five boxes. Note that the boundary between any two boxes is not meant to be rigid but permeable. For example, by revealing the power behind a message (box 1), a message can create influence (box 5). As another example, language does not passively reflect the power of the language community that uses it (box 2), but also, through its spread to other language communities, generates power to maintain its preeminence among languages (box 3). This expansive process of language power can be seen in the rise of English to global language status. A similar expansive process also applies to a particular language style that first reflects the power of the language subcommunity who uses the style, and then, through its common acceptance and usage by other subcommunities in the country, maintains the power of the subcommunity concerned. A prime example of this type of expansive process is linguistic sexism, which reflects preexisting male dominance in society and then, through its common usage by both sexes, contributes to the maintenance of male dominance. Other examples are linguistic racism and the language style of the legal profession, each of which, like linguistic sexism and the preeminence of the English language worldwide, has considerable impact on individuals and society at large.

Space precludes a full discussion of all five language–power relationships. Instead, some of them will warrant only a brief mention, whereas others will be presented in greater detail. The complexity of the language–power relations and their cross-disciplinary ramifications will be evident in the multiple sets of interrelated literatures that we cite from. These include the social psychology of language and communication, critical language studies (Fairclough, 1989 ), sociolinguistics (Kachru, 1992 ), and conversation analysis (Sacks et al., 1974 ).

Figure 1. Power behind language and power of language.

Power Behind Language

Language reveals power.

When negotiating with police, a gang may issue the threatening message, “Meet our demands, or we will shoot the hostages!” The threatening message may succeed in coercing the police to submit; its power, however, is more apparent than real because it is based on the guns gangsters posses. The message merely reveals the power of a weapon in their possession. Apart from revealing power, the gangsters may also cheat. As long as the message comes across as credible and convincing enough to arouse overwhelming fear, it would allow them to get away with their demands without actually possessing any weapon. In this case, language is used to produce an intended effect despite resistance by deceptively revealing a nonexisting power base and planting it in the mind of the message recipient. The literature on linguistic deception illustrates the widespread deceptive use of language-reveals-power to produce intended effects despite resistance (Robinson, 1996 ).

Language Reflects Power

Ethnolinguistic vitality.

The language that a person uses reflects the language community’s power. A useful way to think about a language community’s linguistic power is through the ethnolinguistic vitality model (Bourhis et al., 1981 ; Harwood et al., 1994 ). Language communities in a country vary in absolute size overall and, just as important, a relative numeric concentration in particular regions. Francophone Canadians, though fewer than Anglophone Canadians overall, are concentrated in Quebec to give them the power of numbers there. Similarly, ethnic minorities in mainland China have considerable power of numbers in those autonomous regions where they are concentrated, such as Inner Mongolia, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Collectively, these factors form the demographic base of the language community’s ethnolinguistic vitality, an index of the community’s relative linguistic dominance. Another base of ethnolinguistic vitality is institutional representations of the language community in government, legislatures, education, religion, the media, and so forth, which afford its members institutional leadership, influence, and control. Such institutional representation is often reinforced by a language policy that installs the language as the nation’s sole official language. The third base of ethnolinguistic vitality comprises sociohistorical and cultural status of the language community inside the nation and internationally. In short, the dominant language of a nation is one that comes from and reflects the high ethnolinguistic vitality of its language community.

An important finding of ethnolinguistic vitality research is that it is perceived vitality, and not so much its objective demographic-institutional-cultural strengths, that influences language behavior in interpersonal and intergroup contexts. Interestingly, the visibility and salience of languages shown on public and commercial signs, referred to as the “linguistic landscape,” serve important informational and symbolic functions as a marker of their relative vitality, which in turn affects the use of in-group language in institutional settings (Cenoz & Gorter, 2006 ; Landry & Bourhis, 1997 ).

World Englishes and Lingua Franca English

Another field of research on the power behind and reflected in language is “World Englishes.” At the height of the British Empire English spread on the back of the Industrial Revolution and through large-scale migrations of Britons to the “New World,” which has since become the core of an “inner circle” of traditional native English-speaking nations now led by the United States (Kachru, 1992 ). The emergent wealth and power of these nations has maintained English despite the decline of the British Empire after World War II. In the post-War era, English has become internationalized with the support of an “outer circle” nations and, later, through its spread to “expanding circle” nations. Outer circle nations are made up mostly of former British colonies such as India, Pakistan, and Nigeria. In compliance with colonial language policies that institutionalized English as the new colonial national language, a sizeable proportion of the colonial populations has learned and continued using English over generations, thereby vastly increasing the number of English speakers over and above those in the inner circle nations. The expanding circle encompasses nations where English has played no historical government roles, but which are keen to appropriate English as the preeminent foreign language for local purposes such as national development, internationalization of higher education, and participation in globalization (e.g., China, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Egypt, Israel, and continental Europe).

English is becoming a global language with official or special status in at least 75 countries (British Council, n.d. ). It is also the language choice in international organizations and companies, as well as academia, and is commonly used in trade, international mass media, and entertainment, and over the Internet as the main source of information. English native speakers can now follow the worldwide English language track to find jobs overseas without having to learn the local language and may instead enjoy a competitive language advantage where the job requires English proficiency. This situation is a far cry from the colonial era when similar advantages had to come under political patronage. Alongside English native speakers who work overseas benefitting from the preeminence of English over other languages, a new phenomenon of outsourcing international call centers away from the United Kingdom and the United States has emerged (Friginal, 2007 ). Callers can find the information or help they need from people stationed in remote places such as India or the Philippines where English has penetrated.

As English spreads worldwide, it has also become the major international lingua franca, serving some 800 million multilinguals in Asia alone, and numerous others elsewhere (Bolton, 2008 ). The practical importance of this phenomenon and its impact on English vocabulary, grammar, and accent have led to the emergence of a new field of research called “English as a lingua franca” (Brosch, 2015 ). The twin developments of World Englishes and lingua franca English raise interesting and important research questions. A vast area of research lies in waiting.

Several lines of research suggest themselves from an intergroup communication perspective. How communicatively effective are English native speakers who are international civil servants in organizations such as the UN and WTO, where they habitually speak as if they were addressing their fellow natives without accommodating to the international audience? Another line of research is lingua franca English communication between two English nonnative speakers. Their common use of English signals a joint willingness of linguistic accommodation, motivated more by communication efficiency of getting messages across and less by concerns of their respective ethnolinguistic identities. An intergroup communication perspective, however, would sensitize researchers to social identity processes and nonaccommodation behaviors underneath lingua franca communication. For example, two nationals from two different countries, X and Y, communicating with each other in English are accommodating on the language level; at the same time they may, according to communication accommodation theory, use their respective X English and Y English for asserting their ethnolinguistic distinctiveness whilst maintaining a surface appearance of accommodation. There are other possibilities. According to a survey of attitudes toward English accents, attachment to “standard” native speaker models remains strong among nonnative English speakers in many countries (Jenkins, 2009 ). This suggests that our hypothetical X and Y may, in addition to asserting their respective Englishes, try to outperform one another in speaking with overcorrect standard English accents, not so much because they want to assert their respective ethnolinguistic identities, but because they want to project a common in-group identity for positive social comparison—“We are all English-speakers but I am a better one than you!”

Many countries in the expanding circle nations are keen to appropriate English for local purposes, encouraging their students and especially their educational elites to learn English as a foreign language. A prime example is the Learn-English Movement in China. It has affected generations of students and teachers over the past 30 years and consumed a vast amount of resources. The results are mixed. Even more disturbing, discontents and backlashes have emerged from anti-English Chinese motivated to protect the vitality and cultural values of the Chinese language (Sun et al., 2016 ). The power behind and reflected in modern English has widespread and far-reaching consequences in need of more systematic research.

Power of Language

Language maintains existing dominance.

Language maintains and reproduces existing dominance in three different ways represented respectively by the ascent of English, linguistic sexism, and legal language style. For reasons already noted, English has become a global language, an international lingua franca, and an indispensable medium for nonnative English speaking countries to participate in the globalized world. Phillipson ( 2009 ) referred to this phenomenon as “linguistic imperialism.” It is ironic that as the spread of English has increased the extent of multilingualism of non-English-speaking nations, English native speakers in the inner circle of nations have largely remained English-only. This puts pressure on the rest of the world to accommodate them in English, the widespread use of which maintains its preeminence among languages.

A language evolves and changes to adapt to socially accepted word meanings, grammatical rules, accents, and other manners of speaking. What is acceptable or unacceptable reflects common usage and hence the numerical influence of users, but also the elites’ particular language preferences and communication styles. Research on linguistic sexism has shown, for example, a man-made language such as English (there are many others) is imbued with sexist words and grammatical rules that reflect historical male dominance in society. Its uncritical usage routinely by both sexes in daily life has in turn naturalized male dominance and associated sexist inequalities (Spender, 1998 ). Similar other examples are racist (Reisigl & Wodak, 2005 ) and ageist (Ryan et al., 1995 ) language styles.

Professional languages are made by and for particular professions such as the legal profession (Danet, 1980 ; Mertz et al., 2016 ; O’Barr, 1982 ). The legal language is used not only among members of the profession, but also with the general public, who may know each and every word in a legal document but are still unable to decipher its meaning. Through its language, the legal profession maintains its professional dominance with the complicity of the general public, who submits to the use of the language and accedes to the profession’s authority in interpreting its meanings in matters relating to their legal rights and obligations. Communication between lawyers and their “clients” is not only problematic, but the public’s continual dependence on the legal language contributes to the maintenance of the dominance of the profession.

Language Unites and Divides a Nation

A nation of many peoples who, despite their diverse cultural and ethnic background, all speak in the same tongue and write in the same script would reap the benefit of the unifying power of a common language. The power of the language to unite peoples would be stronger if it has become part of their common national identity and contributed to its vitality and psychological distinctiveness. Such power has often been seized upon by national leaders and intellectuals to unify their countries and serve other nationalistic purposes (Patten, 2006 ). In China, for example, Emperor Qin Shi Huang standardized the Chinese script ( hanzi ) as an important part of the reforms to unify the country after he had defeated the other states and brought the Warring States Period ( 475–221 bc ) to an end. A similar reform of language standardization was set in motion soon after the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty ( ad 1644–1911 ), by simplifying some of the hanzi and promoting Putonghua as the national standard oral language. In the postcolonial part of the world, language is often used to service nationalism by restoring the official status of their indigenous language as the national language whilst retaining the colonial language or, in more radical cases of decolonization, relegating the latter to nonofficial status. Yet language is a two-edged sword: It can also divide a nation. The tension can be seen in competing claims to official-language status made by minority language communities, protest over maintenance of minority languages, language rights at schools and in courts of law, bilingual education, and outright language wars (Calvet, 1998 ; DeVotta, 2004 ).

Language Creates Influence

In this section we discuss the power of language to create influence through single words and more complex linguistic structures ranging from oratories and conversations to narratives/stories.

Power of Single Words

Learning a language empowers humans to master an elaborate system of conventions and the associations between words and their sounds on the one hand, and on the other hand, categories of objects and relations to which they refer. After mastering the referential meanings of words, a person can mentally access the objects and relations simply by hearing or reading the words. Apart from their referential meanings, words also have connotative meanings with their own social-cognitive consequences. Together, these social-cognitive functions underpin the power of single words that has been extensively studied in metaphors, which is a huge research area that crosses disciplinary boundaries and probes into the inner workings of the brain (Benedek et al., 2014 ; Landau et al., 2014 ; Marshal et al., 2007 ). The power of single words extends beyond metaphors. It can be seen in misleading words in leading questions (Loftus, 1975 ), concessive connectives that reverse expectations from real-world knowledge (Xiang & Kuperberg, 2014 ), verbs that attribute implicit causality to either verb subject or object (Hartshorne & Snedeker, 2013 ), “uncertainty terms” that hedge potentially face-threatening messages (Holtgraves, 2014b ), and abstract words that signal power (Wakslak et al., 2014 ).

The literature on the power of single words has rarely been applied to intergroup communication, with the exception of research arising from the linguistic category model (e.g., Semin & Fiedler, 1991 ). The model distinguishes among descriptive action verbs (e.g., “hits”), interpretative action verbs (e.g., “hurts”) and state verbs (e.g., “hates”), which increase in abstraction in that order. Sentences made up of abstract verbs convey more information about the protagonist, imply greater temporal and cross-situational stability, and are more difficult to disconfirm. The use of abstract language to represent a particular behavior will attribute the behavior to the protagonist rather than the situation and the resulting image of the protagonist will persist despite disconfirming information, whereas the use of concrete language will attribute the same behavior more to the situation and the resulting image of the protagonist will be easier to change. According to the linguistic intergroup bias model (Maass, 1999 ), abstract language will be used to represent positive in-group and negative out-group behaviors, whereas concrete language will be used to represent negative in-group and positive out-group behaviors. The combined effects of the differential use of abstract and concrete language would, first, lead to biased attribution (explanation) of behavior privileging the in-group over the out-group, and second, perpetuate the prejudiced intergroup stereotypes. More recent research has shown that linguistic intergroup bias varies with the power differential between groups—it is stronger in high and low power groups than in equal power groups (Rubini et al., 2007 ).

Oratorical Power

A charismatic speaker may, by the sheer force of oratory, buoy up people’s hopes, convert their hearts from hatred to forgiveness, or embolden them to take up arms for a cause. One may recall moving speeches (in English) such as Susan B. Anthony’s “On Women’s Right to Vote,” Winston Churchill’s “We Shall Fight on the Beaches,” Mahatma Gandhi’s “Quit India,” or Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream.” The speech may be delivered face-to-face to an audience, or broadcast over the media. The discussion below focuses on face-to-face oratories in political meetings.

Oratorical power may be measured in terms of money donated or pledged to the speaker’s cause, or, in a religious sermon, the number of converts made. Not much research has been reported on these topics. Another measurement approach is to count the frequency of online audience responses that a speech has generated, usually but not exclusively in the form of applause. Audience applause can be measured fairly objectively in terms of frequency, length, or loudness, and collected nonobtrusively from a public recording of the meeting. Audience applause affords researchers the opportunity to explore communicative and social psychological processes that underpin some aspects of the power of rhetorical formats. Note, however, that not all incidences of audience applause are valid measures of the power of rhetoric. A valid incidence should be one that is invited by the speaker and synchronized with the flow of the speech, occurring at the appropriate time and place as indicated by the rhetorical format. Thus, an uninvited incidence of applause would not count, nor is one that is invited but has occurred “out of place” (too soon or too late). Furthermore, not all valid incidences are theoretically informative to the same degree. An isolated applause from just a handful of the audience, though valid and in the right place, has relatively little theoretical import for understanding the power of rhetoric compared to one that is made by many acting in unison as a group. When the latter occurs, it would be a clear indication of the power of rhetorically formulated speech. Such positive audience response constitutes the most direct and immediate means by which an audience can display its collective support for the speaker, something which they would not otherwise show to a speech of less power. To influence and orchestrate hundreds and thousands of people in the audience to precisely coordinate their response to applaud (and cheer) together as a group at the right time and place is no mean feat. Such a feat also influences the wider society through broadcast on television and other news and social media. The combined effect could be enormous there and then, and its downstream influence far-reaching, crossing country boarders and inspiring generations to come.

To accomplish the feat, an orator has to excite the audience to applaud, build up the excitement to a crescendo, and simultaneously cue the audience to synchronize their outburst of stored-up applause with the ongoing speech. Rhetorical formats that aid the orator to accomplish the dual functions include contrast, list, puzzle solution, headline-punchline, position-taking, and pursuit (Heritage & Greatbatch, 1986 ). To illustrate, we cite the contrast and list formats.

A contrast, or antithesis, is made up of binary schemata such as “too much” and “too little.” Heritage and Greatbatch ( 1986 , p. 123) reported the following example:

Governments will argue that resources are not available to help disabled people. The fact is that too much is spent on the munitions of war, and too little is spent on the munitions of peace [italics added]. As the audience is familiar with the binary schema of “too much” and “too little” they can habitually match the second half of the contrast against the first half. This decoding process reinforces message comprehension and helps them to correctly anticipate and applaud at the completion point of the contrast. In the example quoted above, the speaker micropaused for 0.2 seconds after the second word “spent,” at which point the audience began to applaud in anticipation of the completion point of the contrast, and applauded more excitedly upon hearing “. . . on the munitions of peace.” The applause continued and lasted for 9.2 long seconds.

A list is usually made up of a series of three parallel words, phrases or clauses. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” is a fine example, as is Obama’s “It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day , in this election , at this defining moment , change has come to America!” (italics added) The three parts in the list echo one another, step up the argument and its corresponding excitement in the audience as they move from one part to the next. The third part projects a completion point to cue the audience to get themselves ready to display their support via applause, cheers, and so forth. In a real conversation this juncture is called a “transition-relevance place,” at which point a conversational partner (hearer) may take up a turn to speak. A skilful orator will micropause at that juncture to create a conversational space for the audience to take up their turn in applauding and cheering as a group.

As illustrated by the two examples above, speaker and audience collaborate to transform an otherwise monological speech into a quasiconversation, turning a passive audience into an active supportive “conversational” partner who, by their synchronized responses, reduces the psychological separation from the speaker and emboldens the latter’s self-confidence. Through such enjoyable and emotional participation collectively, an audience made up of formerly unconnected individuals with no strong common group identity may henceforth begin to feel “we are all one.” According to social identity theory and related theories (van Zomeren et al., 2008 ), the emergent group identity, politicized in the process, will in turn provide a social psychological base for collective social action. This process of identity making in the audience is further strengthened by the speaker’s frequent use of “we” as a first person, plural personal pronoun.

Conversational Power

A conversation is a speech exchange system in which the length and order of speaking turns have not been preassigned but require coordination on an utterance-by-utterance basis between two or more individuals. It differs from other speech exchange systems in which speaking turns have been preassigned and/or monitored by a third party, for example, job interviews and debate contests. Turn-taking, because of its centrality to conversations and the important theoretical issues that it raises for social coordination and implicit conversational conventions, has been the subject of extensive research and theorizing (Goodwin & Heritage, 1990 ; Grice, 1975 ; Sacks et al., 1974 ). Success at turn-taking is a key part of the conversational process leading to influence. A person who cannot do this is in no position to influence others in and through conversations, which are probably the most common and ubiquitous form of human social interaction. Below we discuss studies of conversational power based on conversational turns and applied to leader emergence in group and intergroup settings. These studies, as they unfold, link conversation analysis with social identity theory and expectation states theory (Berger et al., 1974 ).

A conversational turn in hand allows the speaker to influence others in two important ways. First, through current-speaker-selects-next the speaker can influence who will speak next and, indirectly, increases the probability that he or she will regain the turn after the next. A common method for selecting the next speaker is through tag questions. The current speaker (A) may direct a tag question such as “Ya know?” or “Don’t you agree?” to a particular hearer (B), which carries the illocutionary force of selecting the addressee to be the next speaker and, simultaneously, restraining others from self-selecting. The A 1 B 1 sequence of exchange has been found to have a high probability of extending into A 1 B 1 A 2 in the next round of exchange, followed by its continuation in the form of A 1 B 1 A 2 B 2 . For example, in a six-member group, the A 1 B 1 →A 1 B 1 A 2 sequence of exchange has more than 50% chance of extending to the A 1 B 1 A 2 B 2 sequence, which is well above chance level, considering that there are four other hearers who could intrude at either the A 2 or B 2 slot of turn (Stasser & Taylor, 1991 ). Thus speakership not only offers the current speaker the power to select the next speaker twice, but also to indirectly regain a turn.

Second, a turn in hand provides the speaker with an opportunity to exercise topic control. He or she can exercise non-decision-making power by changing an unfavorable or embarrassing topic to a safer one, thereby silencing or preventing it from reaching the “floor.” Conversely, he or she can exercise decision-making power by continuing or raising a topic that is favorable to self. Or the speaker can move on to talk about an innocuous topic to ease tension in the group.

Bales ( 1950 ) has studied leader emergence in groups made up of unacquainted individuals in situations where they have to bid or compete for speaking turns. Results show that individuals who talk the most have a much better chance of becoming leaders. Depending on the social orientations of their talk, they would be recognized as a task or relational leader. Subsequent research on leader emergence has shown that an even better behavioral predictor than volume of talk is the number of speaking turns. An obvious reason for this is that the volume of talk depends on the number of turns—it usually accumulates across turns, rather than being the result of a single extraordinary long turn of talk. Another reason is that more turns afford the speaker more opportunities to realize the powers of turns that have been explicated above. Group members who become leaders are the ones who can penetrate the complex, on-line conversational system to obtain a disproportionately large number of speaking turns by perfect timing at “transition-relevance places” to self-select as the next speaker or, paradoxical as it may seem, constructive interruptions (Ng et al., 1995 ).

More recent research has extended the experimental study of group leadership to intergroup contexts, where members belonging to two groups who hold opposing stances on a social or political issue interact within and also between groups. The results showed, first, that speaking turns remain important in leader emergence, but the intergroup context now generates social identity and self-categorization processes that selectively privilege particular forms of speech. What potential leaders say, and not only how many speaking turns they have gained, becomes crucial in conveying to group members that they are prototypical members of their group. Prototypical communication is enacted by adopting an accent, choosing code words, and speaking in a tone that characterize the in-group; above all, it is enacted through the content of utterances to represent or exemplify the in-group position. Such prototypical utterances that are directed successfully at the out-group correlate strongly with leader emergence (Reid & Ng, 2000 ). These out-group-directed prototypical utterances project an in-group identity that is psychologically distinctive from the out-group for in-group members to feel proud of and to rally together when debating with the out-group.

Building on these experimental results Reid and Ng ( 2003 ) developed a social identity theory of leadership to account for the emergence and maintenance of intergroup leadership, grounding it in case studies of the intergroup communication strategies that brought Ariel Sharon and John Howard to power in Israel and Australia, respectively. In a later development, the social identity account was fused with expectation states theory to explain how group processes collectively shape the behavior of in-group members to augment the prototypical communication behavior of the emergent leader (Reid & Ng, 2006 ). Specifically, when conversational influence gained through prototypical utterances culminates to form an incipient power hierarchy, group members develop expectations of who is and will be leading the group. Acting on these tacit expectations they collectively coordinate the behavior of each other to conform with the expectations by granting incipient leaders more speaking turns and supporting them with positive audience responses. In this way, group members collectively amplify the influence of incipient leaders and jointly propel them to leadership roles (see also Correll & Ridgeway, 2006 ). In short, the emergence of intergroup leaders is a joint process of what they do individually and what group members do collectively, enabled by speaking turns and mediated by social identity and expectation states processes. In a similar vein, Hogg ( 2014 ) has developed a social identity account of leadership in intergroup settings.

Narrative Power

Narratives and stories are closely related and are sometimes used interchangeably. However, it is useful to distinguish a narrative from a story and from other related terms such as discourse and frames. A story is a sequence of related events in the past recounted for rhetorical or ideological purposes, whereas a narrative is a coherent system of interrelated and sequentially organized stories formed by incorporating new stories and relating them to others so as to provide an ongoing basis for interpreting events, envisioning an ideal future, and motivating and justifying collective actions (Halverson et al., 2011 ). The temporal dimension and sense of movement in a narrative also distinguish it from discourse and frames. According to Miskimmon, O’Loughlin, and Roselle ( 2013 ), discourses are the raw material of communication that actors plot into a narrative, and frames are the acts of selecting and highlighting some events or issues to promote a particular interpretation, evaluation, and solution. Both discourse and frame lack the temporal and causal transformation of a narrative.

Pitching narratives at the suprastory level and stressing their temporal and transformational movements allows researchers to take a structurally more systemic and temporally more expansive view than traditional research on propaganda wars between nations, religions, or political systems (Halverson et al., 2011 ; Miskimmon et al., 2013 ). Schmid ( 2014 ) has provided an analysis of al-Qaeda’s “compelling narrative that authorizes its strategy, justifies its violent tactics, propagates its ideology and wins new recruits.” According to this analysis, the chief message of the narrative is “the West is at war with Islam,” a strategic communication that is fundamentally intergroup in both structure and content. The intergroup structure of al-Qaeda narrative includes the rhetorical constructions that there are a group grievance inflicted on Muslims by a Zionist–Christian alliance, a vision of the good society (under the Caliphate and sharia), and a path from grievance to the realization of the vision led by al-Qaeda in a violent jihad to eradicate Western influence in the Muslim world. The al-Qaeda narrative draws support not only from traditional Arab and Muslim cultural narratives interpreted to justify its unorthodox means (such as attacks against women and children), but also from pre-existing anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism propagated by some Arab governments, Soviet Cold War propaganda, anti-Western sermons by Muslim clerics, and the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians. It is deeply embedded in culture and history, and has reached out to numerous Muslims who have emigrated to the West.

The intergroup content of al-Qaeda narrative was shown in a computer-aided content analysis of 18 representative transcripts of propaganda speeches released between 2006–2011 by al-Qaeda leaders, totaling over 66,000 words (Cohen et al., 2016 ). As part of the study, an “Ideology Extraction using Linguistic Extremization” (IELEX) categorization scheme was developed for mapping the content of the corpus, which revealed 19 IELEX rhetorical categories referring to either the out-group/enemy or the in-group/enemy victims. The out-group/enemy was represented by four categories such as “The enemy is extremely negative (bloodthirsty, vengeful, brainwashed, etc.)”; whereas the in-group/enemy victims were represented by more categories such as “we are entirely innocent/good/virtuous.” The content of polarized intergroup stereotypes, demonizing “them” and glorifying “us,” echoes other similar findings (Smith et al., 2008 ), as well as the general finding of intergroup stereotyping in social psychology (Yzerbyt, 2016 ).

The success of the al-Qaeda narrative has alarmed various international agencies, individual governments, think tanks, and religious groups to spend huge sums of money on developing counternarratives that are, according to Schmid ( 2014 ), largely feeble. The so-called “global war on terror” has failed in its effort to construct effective counternarratives although al-Qaeda’s finance, personnel, and infrastructure have been much weakened. Ironically, it has developed into a narrative of its own, not so much for countering external extremism, but for promoting and justifying internal nationalistic extremist policies and influencing national elections. This reactive coradicalization phenomenon is spreading (Mink, 2015 ; Pratt, 2015 ; Reicher & Haslam, 2016 ).

Discussion and Future Directions

This chapter provides a systematic framework for understanding five language–power relationships, namely, language reveals power, reflects power, maintains existing dominance, unites and divides a nation, and creates influence. The first two relationships are derived from the power behind language and the last three from the power of language. Collectively they provide a relatively comprehensible framework for understanding the relationships between language and power, and not simply for understanding language alone or power alone separated from one another. The language–power relationships are dynamically interrelated, one influencing the other, and each can draw from an array of the cognitive, communicative, social, and identity functions of language. The framework is applicable to both interpersonal and intergroup contexts of communication, although for present purposes the latter has been highlighted. Among the substantive issues discussed in this chapter, English as a global language, oratorical and narrative power, and intergroup leadership stand out as particularly important for political and theoretical reasons.

In closing, we note some of the gaps that need to be filled and directions for further research. When discussing the powers of language to maintain and reflect existing dominance, we have omitted the countervailing power of language to resist or subvert existing dominance and, importantly, to create social change for the collective good. Furthermore, in this age of globalization and its discontents, English as a global language will increasingly be resented for its excessive unaccommodating power despite tangible lingua franca English benefits, and challenged by the expanding ethnolinguistic vitality of peoples who speak Arabic, Chinese, or Spanish. Internet communication is no longer predominantly in English, but is rapidly diversifying to become the modern Tower of Babel. And yet we have barely scratched the surface of these issues. Other glaring gaps include the omission of media discourse and recent developments in Corpus-based Critical Discourse Analysis (Loring, 2016 ), as well as the lack of reference to languages other than English that may cast one or more of the language–power relationships in a different light.

One of the main themes of this chapter—that the diverse language–power relationships are dynamically interrelated—clearly points to the need for greater theoretical fertilization across cognate disciplines. Our discussion of the three powers of language (boxes 3–5 in Figure 1 ) clearly points in this direction, most notably in the case of the powers of language to create influence through single words, oratories, conversations, and narratives, but much more needs to be done. The social identity approach will continue to serve as a meta theory of intergroup communication. To the extent that intergroup communication takes place in an existing power relation and that the changes that it seeks are not simply a more positive or psychologically distinctive social identity but greater group power and a more powerful social identity, the social identity approach has to incorporate power in its application to intergroup communication.

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Best AI Tools For Essay Writing [Experts Choice]

• September 6, 2024 Updated

Choosing the best AI tools for essay writing  is essential for anyone crafting well-structured and compelling essays. These tools can significantly enhance your writing process, ensuring your ideas are communicated clearly and effectively.

Over the years, AI writing tools have evolved from basic grammar checkers to specialized platforms that offer content generation, language enhancement, and citation management. 

Incorporating the best AI writing tools into your workflow in 2024 can make a noticeable difference, whether you’re using free or paid options.

Best AI Tools For Essay Writing: Quick Comparison

Here, I will explore the best AI tools for essay writing to help you craft high-quality content efficiently. These tools offer various features that cater to different writing needs, from content generation to language refinement.

Below is a quick comparison of the best AI tools , highlighting their key features and pricing. Choosing the right tool can provide tailored benefits, whether you’re looking for free or premium options.

If you’re looking for the b est AI tools for essay writing free , consider exploring platforms like Rytr and Writer Hand that offer robust features without any cost.

Best AI Tools For Essay Writing: In-Depth Analysis

When it comes to essay writing, the right AI tools can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of your work. Below is an in-depth look at the best AI tools for essay writing, each offering unique features tailored to different writing needs.

1. Copy AI – Best for Essay Writing

Copy AI is a robust tool designed to streamline the essay writing process. It’s particularly effective for generating content quickly, ensuring that your essays are well-structured and coherent.

The tool leverages advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to assist in crafting compelling essays, making it an excellent choice for students and professionals alike.

Thanks to its intuitive interface, using Copy AI is straightforward. Everything is designed to be user-friendly, from logging in to exploring its extensive features. This ease of use extends to its mobile compatibility , allowing you to write and edit essays using web, iOS, or Android platforms.

Additionally, Copy AI supports a variety of integrations, including Google Sheets, WordPress, and Zapier , which can further enhance your workflow by connecting with the tools you already use.

Despite its many strengths, Copy AI does have some limitations. For example, while it excels at generating content, it lacks an advanced plagiarism check feature, which can be a crucial tool for academic writing.

Moreover, the pricing can be considered high compared to other essay writing tools, especially if you need more than one seat or advanced features.

Copy AI also excels in maintaining data security with enterprise-grade security protocols . This ensures that your data is protected, especially important for professionals handling sensitive information.

Pros and Cons

• User-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate.
• Unlimited word count in paid plans.
• Mobile compatibility for writing on the go.
• Strong integration capabilities with other tools like Google Sheets and WordPress .
• No advanced plagiarism check is available.
• Higher pricing for premium features.
• Limited seat availability in lower-tier plans.

Customer Support and Refund Policy

Copy AI offers robust customer support that is available directly through its website. They provide a 100% money-back guarantee within five days if the service does not meet expectations. The Free Forever plan gives you access to basic features at no cost, making it easy to test the tool before committing to a paid plan.

Integrating  Copy AI into your essay writing process can significantly enhance your writing efficiency, ensuring your essays are high-quality and engaging. For more details, you can check my in-depth review of Copy AI .

2. Anyword – Best for Essay Writing and Content Analytics

Anyword is an advanced AI writing tool that excels in essay writing by providing data-driven content generation and optimization.

It uses a homegrown predictive performance model and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to help writers create compelling essays tailored to engage their audience.

The platform offers over 100+ templates , making it a versatile choice for students, educators, and professionals who must produce high-quality essays.

The tool ensures a smooth experience from logging in to customizing content with predictive performance scores. Its mobile compatibility allows you to work on essays from anywhere, using its Google Chrome extension to integrate seamlessly into your workflow.

Anyword scores high in content analytics and plagiarism checks , providing insights into how your essay might perform. However, it lacks brand voice customization .

The tool is particularly praised for its predictive insights and comprehensive grammar checks that help enhance essay quality.

• Predictive performance insights help optimize essay content.
• Unlimited word count allows for comprehensive writing.
• Strong grammar and plagiarism checks ensure essay quality.
• No refunds for canceled subscriptions.
• Higher pricing for more advanced features.
• No brand voice customization is available.

Anyword offers dedicated customer support via a customer success team , ensuring users maximize the tool’s capabilities.

They provide a 7-day free trial to explore all features. However, they have a strict no-refund policy for canceled subscriptions, which may not appeal to all users. For more details, you can check my Anyword review .

Integrating  Anyword into your essay writing process allows you to leverage AI-driven insights to craft engaging and academically robust essays.

3. ChatGPT – Best for Essay Writing and Content Summarization

ChatGPT , developed by OpenAI, is an exceptional AI tool for essay writing , offering powerful capabilities for generating, structuring, and refining content.

With its Large Language Models (LLMs) , ChatGPT can handle complex topics, provide detailed summaries, and assist with language translation, making it a top choice for students, researchers, and professionals who need to craft high-quality essays.

The platform is user-friendly and accessible via web, iOS, and Android , making it easy to draft essays or edit content from anywhere.

Its intuitive interface guides you through generating content and exploring advanced features, such as DALL·E for visual content and Advanced Data Analysis .

ChatGPT integrates seamlessly with Google Sheets, Google Forms, and Zapier , allowing for a smooth workflow and enhanced productivity.

It is highly rated for its content generation quality and multi-language support , but the basic plan lacks a built-in grammar check .

• High-quality essay generation using advanced language models.
• It supports multiple languages and integrates with various tools.
• Accessible on multiple platforms , including web, iOS, and Android.
• There needs to be a built-in grammar check in the free plan.
• No refund policy for subscriptions.
• Limited features in the free version.

ChatGPT offers customer support via live chat , ensuring users receive timely assistance when needed. However, it does not provide refunds, which can be a drawback for those seeking more flexible options.

The free plan lets users explore basic features, while paid plans provide access to GPT-4 and additional tools for more advanced essay-writing needs. For more details, please see my in-depth review of ChatGPT .

4. Rytr – Best for Essay Writing and Paraphrasing

Rytr is a versatile AI writing assistant who excels at essay writing. It offers robust features for generating well-structured content and paraphrasing existing text.

Powered by the GPT-3 language model , Rytr is ideal for students, educators, and professionals who must efficiently produce high-quality essays.

Its 40+ templates cater to various writing needs, making it easy to draft, refine, and enhance essays.

Rytr is highly user-friendly, with a straightforward interface that simplifies content creation when you log in.

The platform’s mobile compatibility allows users to write and edit essays on the go, providing flexibility and convenience.

Integrations with tools like Google Docs, Slack, and Asana further streamline the writing process, making it a valuable addition to any writing workflow.

Rytr is highly rated for its paraphrasing capabilities and ease of use but lacks multi-user support and has a strict refund policy .

However, its affordability, plagiarism check , and customizable outputs make it a solid choice for those focusing on essay writing and content refinement.

• Affordable pricing plans with unlimited word count options.
• Plagiarism check helps ensure originality in essays.
• Seamless integration with productivity tools like Google Docs and Slack .
• No multi-user support , limiting collaborative features.
• No built-in grammar check , which could be useful for essay writing.
• Strict refund policy , offering no refunds for canceled subscriptions.

Rytr offers customer support via email , ensuring users can reach out for help when needed. It provides a free plan with limited features, allowing users to explore its basic functionalities.

However, Rytr has a no-refund policy for canceled subscriptions, which could concern some users. For more insights, check my in-depth review of Rytr .

5. Writesonic – Best for Essay Writing and Content Creation

Writesonic is a versatile AI writing tool that excels in essay writing , offering features designed to streamline the writing process from brainstorming to final editing.

Powered by GPT-3 and GPT-4 language models , Writesonic helps writers generate high-quality essays, making it ideal for students, educators, and professionals.

The tool provides a variety of templates to cater to different writing styles and needs, enhancing the overall essay-writing experience.

Writesonic is user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that simplifies the writing process. From logging in to generating content, the platform ensures a seamless experience. Its mobile compatibility allows users to write, edit, and refine essays.

Writesonic integrates with various tools like Google Docs and Slack , enabling a smooth workflow for essay writing.

The tool is highly rated for its content quality and integration capabilities but lacks in areas such as brand voice customization and has a limited refund policy .

However, its ability to generate coherent and well-structured essays with minimal effort makes it a favorite among essay writers.

• High-quality essay generation with advanced AI models .
• Seamless integration with tools like Google Docs and Slack .
• Plagiarism and grammar checks to ensure essay quality.
• Brand voice customization is not available.
• Limited refund policy , only covering seven days .

Writesonic provides customer support via live chat and email , ensuring users get timely assistance. It offers a free trial with limited features, allowing users to explore the tool’s capabilities.

However, Writesonic has a limited refund policy , offering refunds only within seven days of subscription. For more insights, check out the Writesonic review.

Integrating Writesonic into your essay writing process can help you produce high-quality, well-structured essays with minimal effort, thanks to its advanced AI engines and diverse templates.

6. Jasper AI – Best for Essay Writing and Content Strategy

Jasper AI is a comprehensive AI-powered writing assistant that excels in essay writing and overall content creation.

Leveraging the capabilities of multiple AI models from Cohere, OpenAI, and Anthropic , Jasper AI is designed to deliver high-quality content for students, educators, and professionals who need structured and engaging essays.

The tool offers various features, such as plagiarism checking , style guides , and dynamic templates , making it a versatile choice for essay writing.

Jasper AI is incredibly user-friendly, featuring a clean interface that simplifies navigating through its various options.

The tool’s mobile compatibility ensures you can work on essays from any device, providing flexibility. Integrations with platforms such as Google Docs , Microsoft Word , and Zapier further streamline the writing process, allowing for seamless collaboration and project management.

Jasper AI is highly rated for its customizable workflows and advanced AI-assisted content generation . However, it lacks flexibility in its refund policy and may be considered expensive compared to other tools.

Nonetheless, its comprehensive suite of features for essay writing makes it a top choice for users seeking high-quality content.

• Advanced AI models provide high-quality essay content.
• Comprehensive plagiarism and grammar checks for accurate writing.
• Customizable workflows and integrations enhance user experience.
• Limited refund policy , only covering annual plans.
• You can’t cancel mid-year once a yearly plan is purchased.

Jasper AI offers 24/7 customer support via email and chat , ensuring users get timely help. It provides a 7-day free trial to test its features.

Annual plans have a  7-day cancellation and refund period , but subscriptions must be canceled promptly. For more details, check out my Jasper AI review .

Thanks to its advanced AI models and robust customization options, Incorporating Jasper AI into your essay writing routine can significantly enhance content quality.

7. Jenni AI – Best for Academic and Essay Writing

Jenni AI is a specialized AI writing assistant for academic and essay writing . It provides robust features such as AI autocomplete , in-text citations , and paraphrasing tools .

With its focus on helping users craft well-structured essays and research papers, Jenni AI is an excellent choice for students, researchers, and academics.

The platform has tools that facilitate multilingual support , outline building , and export options like LaTeX and Word, making it versatile for various academic needs.

Using Jenni AI is straightforward, with a user-friendly interface that guides you through the writing process from start to finish.

The tool is mobile-compatible , allowing users to write and edit essays. Unique features like bulk import sources via .bib and the ability to chat to your PDFs make Jenni AI highly effective for research-based essay writing.

The tool is highly rated for its academic writing capabilities and in-text citation features but lacks in areas like integrations and grammar checks . However, its affordability and specialized academic tools make it a strong choice for essay writing.

• In-text citations and paraphrasing tools are ideal for academic writing.
• Multilingual support enhances accessibility for non-native speakers.
• Mobile compatibility allows for flexible writing and editing.
• Limited integrations with other platforms.
• There is no grammar check feature, which could benefit essay writers.
• Essential customer support with limited options.

Jenni AI offers basic customer support via email , ensuring users can reach out with any issues. While there isn’t a specified refund policy , users can explore the tool’s features with its straightforward pricing plans. For more detailed insights, explore the Jenni AI review .

By incorporating Jenni AI into your essay writing workflow, you can benefit from AI-driven tools explicitly tailored for academic excellence and structured writing .

8. Moonbeam – Best for Essay Writing and Structured Long-Form Content

Moonbeam is an AI writing assistant designed to excel in essay writing and long-form content creation .

It benefits students, writers, and content creators looking to generate well-structured essays, research papers, and detailed assignments.

Moonbeam provides access to various templates that streamline the writing process, from drafting essays to creating comprehensive outlines.

Using Moonbeam is easy. The platform’s straightforward interface makes content creation intuitive. It also features mobile compatibility , allowing users to write and edit essays.

Moonbeam’s integration with ChatGPT enhances content generation capabilities, offering AI-driven support for drafting, summarizing, and refining text.

Moonbeam is highly rated for its long-form content generation and user-friendly design , but it lacks in areas such as brand voice customization and detailed language model options .

However, its flexible free plan and affordability make it an attractive option for those focused on essay writing.

• Access to all templates for diverse writing needs.
• Integration with ChatGPT for enhanced content generation.
• A generous free plan allows users to test the tool’s capabilities.
• Limited brand voice customization options.
• Lack of detailed language model specifications .
• No specified grammar check feature could  benefit essay writing.

Moonbeam provides customer support via email , ensuring that users can get assistance as needed. It offers a 100% money-back guarantee within 30 days , giving users confidence to try the tool without risk. For further details, explore the Moonbeam review .

Integrating Moonbeam into your essay writing process can significantly enhance your ability to create structured, well-researched essays with ease, thanks to its AI integration and intuitive platform.

9. Simplified – Best for AI Essay Writing and Content Rewriting

Simplified is a powerful AI-driven tool ideal for essay writing and content creation.

It offers features like an AI Essay Writer , AI Content Rewriter , and AI Docs , making it perfect for students, educators, and content creators who must draft high-quality essays and other written materials quickly and efficiently.

With over 80+ templates and support for 20+ languages , Simplified provides versatile solutions for diverse writing needs.

Navigating Simplified is straightforward due to its user-friendly interface . Everything is designed for ease of use, from logging in to exploring its features.

The tool also offers mobile compatibility , allowing users to write and edit essays anytime. Powered by GPT-3 and GPT-4 , it ensures high-quality, coherent content output that is suitable for academic and professional settings.

It is rated highly for its template variety and integration capabilities but lacks specific options like detailed language model controls and custom integration flexibility . However, its affordability and robust content generation options make it a reliable tool for essay writing.

If you’re searching for an essay builder free , Simplified offers a flexible plan with access to numerous templates and features to streamline your essay writing.

• Wide variety of templates for different content needs.
• Supports multiple languages for diverse writing requirements.
• A free plan is available with a cap on word count for testing features.
• Limited customization for brand voice.
• No detailed language model controls are available for more advanced users.
• Integration options are not clearly defined.

Simplified offers customer support via email , ensuring users can get help. The tool provides a free plan with a word generation cap, allowing users to try the platform risk-free.

The refund policy details aren’t specified, so it’s advisable to contact support for any refund-related inquiries. For more information, read my Simplified Review !

By incorporating Simplified into your essay writing toolkit, you can use its AI-powered writing capabilities to generate well-structured essays and academic content effortlessly.

10. WriterHand – Best for AI-Powered Essay and Content Generation

WriterHand is a 100% free AI writing tool specializing in essay writing and a wide range of content generation tasks, such as script writing , storytelling , and email writing .

This tool is ideal for users who need quick and efficient content creation without worrying about costs. Its various generators, including an  AI Essay Writer  and  Paragraph Generator , make it versatile for students, writers, and content creators.

Using WriterHand is effortless, with a clean interface that guides you through different content types.

While the platform does not have a mobile app, it is accessible via mobile browsers, allowing users to create and edit essays on the go.

Although it lacks advanced features like integration with third-party tools and customization options, it compensates with a simple, easy-to-use interface suitable for beginners.

WriterHand is highly rated for its cost-effectiveness and ease of use, but it lacks advanced AI features , plagiarism checks , and brand voice customization .

However, it offers valuable basic essay writing and content generation features as a free tool.

• It is completely free to use, making it highly accessible.
• Simple interface for fast essay writing and content generation.
• Supports various content types , from essays to poems and stories.
• Limited to 200-300 words per generation, it may require multiple sessions for longer texts.
• No advanced features like plagiarism checks or third-party integrations.
• Basic functionality with limited customization options.

WriterHand is free of cost, allowing users to access all its features without subscription or payment requirements. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals seeking a cost-effective solution for basic essay writing and content generation tasks.

WriterHand provides customer support via email , allowing users to get assistance if needed. Since the tool is entirely free, there is no refund policy. This makes it a straightforward and risk-free option for users looking for an essential AI tool for essay writing and content creation.

WriterHand is an excellent choice for those seeking a simple, cost-effective solution for writing essays and generating various content types.

How To Choose The Best AI Tools For Essay Writing?

Choosing the best AI tool for essay writing involves evaluating several vital factors that ensure high-quality and user-friendly content creation.

• Usability and Accessibility : I focused on tools with an intuitive interface and easy navigation, ensuring they work well on desktop and mobile devices, which is important for flexibility across different regions.
• Content Quality : The best tools provide grammar checks , plagiarism detection , and multiple language support to create high-quality essays that meet diverse regional needs.
• Pricing Flexibility : Tools offering free and paid options cater to different budgets and preferences, allowing users to choose features based on their needs.
• Data Security and Customer Support : I prioritized tools with robust data security and responsive customer support , essential for users in regions with strict privacy regulations.

Choosing the best AI for writing essays can significantly enhance productivity, especially with tools like ChatGPT and Jasper AI which offer advanced content generation features.

How AI Writing Tools Help Essay Writing?

AI writing tools leverage advanced technologies to streamline and enhance the essay writing process, making it faster, more accurate, and regionally adaptable.

• Efficiency through NLP : With Natural Language Processing (NLP) , AI writing tools generate well-structured content faster than traditional methods, reducing time spent on drafting and editing.
• Adaptability to Regional Needs : These tools can adapt to various writing styles and regional preferences, making producing essays that align with local expectations easier.
• Enhanced Features : AI tools provide content suggestions , style enhancements , and automatic citations , which streamline the essay writing process, particularly for academic writing.
• Collaborative Writing : Integration with popular platforms enables real-time feedback and collaboration, making writing more interactive and efficient.

Which AI is best at writing essays?

Is it ok to use ai to write essays, what is the ai everyone is using to write essays, is using ai for essays cheating, what is the best free ai for essay writing.

The b est AI tools for essay writing —such as Jasper AI , Rytr , and ChatGPT —offer a range of valuable features like content generation, grammar checks, and style guides, making them ideal for both students and professionals.

Whether you opt for free options like Writer Hand or premium tools like Jasper AI , integrating the b est AI tools for essay writing  into your workflow can be a game-changer, helping you produce compelling, well-structured essays effortlessly.

Digital marketing enthusiast by day, nature wanderer by dusk. Dave Andre blends two decades of AI and SaaS expertise into impactful strategies for SMEs. His weekends? Lost in books on tech trends and rejuvenating on scenic trails.

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Paraphrasing Tool

Paraphrasing Tool powered by QuillBot. Paraphrase everywhere with the free Chrome Extension .

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Avoid plagiarism in your paraphrased text

What is a paraphrasing tool?

This AI-powered paraphrasing tool lets you rewrite text in your own words. Use it to  paraphrase articles, essays, and other pieces of text. You can also use it to rephrase sentences and find synonyms for individual words. And the best part? It’s all 100% free!

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing involves expressing someone else’s ideas or thoughts in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Paraphrasing tools can help you quickly reword text by replacing certain words with synonyms or restructuring sentences. They can also make your text more concise, clear, and suitable for a specific audience. Paraphrasing is an essential skill in academic writing and professional communication. 

Why use this paraphrasing tool?

• Save time: Gone are the days when you had to reword sentences yourself; now you can rewrite an individual sentence or a complete text with one click.
• Improve your writing: Your writing will always be clear and easy to understand. Automatically ensure consistent language throughout. 
• Preserve original meaning: Paraphrase without fear of losing the point of your text.
• No annoying ads: We care about the user experience, so we don’t run any ads.
• Accurate: Reliable and grammatically correct paraphrasing.
• No sign-up required: We don’t need your data for you to use our paraphrasing tool.
• Super simple to use: A simple interface even your grandma could use.
• It’s 100% free: No hidden costs, just unlimited use of a free paraphrasing tool.

People are in love with our paraphrasing tool

No Signup Needed

You don’t have to register or sign up. Insert your text and get started right away.

The Paraphraser is Ad-Free

Don’t wait for ads or distractions. The paraphrasing tool is ad-free!

Multi-lingual

Use our paraphraser for texts in different languages.

Features of the paraphrasing tool

Rephrase individual sentences

With the Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool, you can easily reformulate individual sentences.

• Write varied headlines
• Rephrase the subject line of an email
• Create unique image captions

Paraphrase a whole text

Our paraphraser can also help with longer passages (up to 125 words per input). Upload your document or copy your text into the input field.

With one click, you can reformulate the entire text.

Find synonyms with ease

Simply click on any word to open the interactive thesaurus.

• Choose from a list of suggested synonyms
• Find the synonym with the most appropriate meaning
• Replace the word with a single click

Paraphrase in two ways

• Standard: Offers a compromise between modifying and preserving the meaning of the original text
• Fluency: Improves language and corrects grammatical mistakes

Upload different types of documents

Upload any Microsoft Word document, Google Doc, or PDF into the paraphrasing tool.

Download or copy your results

After you’re done, you can easily download or copy your text to use somewhere else.

Powered by AI

The paraphrasing tool uses natural language processing to rewrite any text you give it. This way, you can paraphrase any text within seconds.

Avoid accidental plagiarism

Want to make sure your document is plagiarism-free? In addition to our paraphrasing tool, which will help you rephrase sentences, quotations, or paragraphs correctly, you can also use our anti-plagiarism software to make sure your document is unique and not plagiarized.

Scribbr’s anti-plagiarism software enables you to:

• Detect plagiarism more accurately than other tools
• Ensure that your paraphrased text is valid
• Highlight the sources that are most similar to your text

Start for free

How does this paraphrasing tool work?

1. put your text into the paraphraser, 2. select your method of paraphrasing, 3. select the quantity of synonyms you want, 4. edit your text where needed, who can use this paraphrasing tool.

Paraphrasing tools can help students to understand texts and improve the quality of their writing. 

Create original lesson plans, presentations, or other educational materials.

Researchers

Explain complex concepts or ideas to a wider audience. 

Journalists

Quickly and easily rephrase text to avoid repetitive language.

Copywriters

By using a paraphrasing tool, you can quickly and easily rework existing content to create something new and unique.

Bloggers can rewrite existing content to make it their own.

Writers who need to rewrite content, such as adapting an article for a different context or writing content for a different audience.

A paraphrasing tool lets you quickly rewrite your original content for each medium, ensuring you reach the right audience on each platform.

The all-purpose paraphrasing tool

The Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool is the perfect assistant in a variety of contexts.

Brainstorming

Writer’s block? Use our paraphraser to get some inspiration.

Professional communication

Produce creative headings for your blog posts or PowerPoint slides.

Academic writing

Paraphrase sources smoothly in your thesis or research paper.

Social media

Craft memorable captions and content for your social media posts.

Paraphrase text online, for free

The Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool lets you rewrite as many sentences as you want—for free.

Write with 100% confidence 👉

Scribbr & academic integrity.

Scribbr is committed to protecting academic integrity. Our plagiarism checker , AI Detector , Citation Generator , proofreading services , paraphrasing tool, grammar checker , summarizer , and free Knowledge Base content are designed to help students produce quality academic papers.

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Frequently asked questions

The act of putting someone else’s ideas or words into your own words is called paraphrasing, rephrasing, or rewording. Even though they are often used interchangeably, the terms can mean slightly different things:

Paraphrasing is restating someone else’s ideas or words in your own words while retaining their meaning. Paraphrasing changes sentence structure, word choice, and sentence length to convey the same meaning.

Rephrasing may involve more substantial changes to the original text, including changing the order of sentences or the overall structure of the text.

Rewording is changing individual words in a text without changing its meaning or structure, often using synonyms.

It can. One of the two methods of paraphrasing is called “Fluency.” This will improve the language and fix grammatical errors in the text you’re paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing and using a paraphrasing tool aren’t cheating. It’s a great tool for saving time and coming up with new ways to express yourself in writing.  However, always be sure to credit your sources. Avoid plagiarism.  

If you don’t properly cite text paraphrased from another source, you’re plagiarizing. If you use someone else’s text and paraphrase it, you need to credit the original source. You can do that by using citations. There are different styles, like APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago. Find more information about citing sources here.

The Paraphrasing Tool on our page is powered by the QuillBot service, which uses advanced language processing technology.

Both Scribbr and QuillBot are Learneo, Inc. services, ensuring that your inputs are processed in accordance with Learneo’s Privacy Policy.

For more, please read the QuillBot section of the Learneo Privacy Policy . Your use of our Paraphraser is subject to QuilBot Terms .

Paraphrasing without crediting the original author is a form of plagiarism , because you’re presenting someone else’s ideas as if they were your own.

However, paraphrasing is not plagiarism if you correctly cite the source . This means including an in-text citation and a full reference, formatted according to your required citation style .

As well as citing, make sure that any paraphrased text is completely rewritten in your own words.

Plagiarism means using someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas in your own words.

So when does paraphrasing count as plagiarism?

• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if you don’t properly credit the original author.
• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if your text is too close to the original wording (even if you cite the source). If you directly copy a sentence or phrase, you should quote it instead.
• Paraphrasing  is not plagiarism if you put the author’s ideas completely in your own words and properly cite the source .

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Paraphrased text

Paraphrasing Tool

This is a free AI-powered rewrite tool that offers you rephrasing of your articles, sentences, essays, stories, and other creations. Our tool finds the best options for text rewording thanks to Natural Language Processing (NLP) AI software and presents you with a variety of choices.

We are here to offer you the best free tool to enhance your writing and edit any sentence you need

Paraphrase articles, essays, add new words, and phrases to your writing to present your ideas in a novel and fresh way.

Our free AI-powered paraphrase generator works great as a sentence rephraser, word changer, and article rewriter. It doesn’t alter the ideas in your writing but instead adds richness and freshness.

Paraphrasing and the functions of a paraphrasing tool

So what is paraphrasing? It is the process of rewriting sentences to present your ideas in a new and clearer way.

The core functions of a paraphraser are as follows:

Rewords the text by offering synonyms

• Keeps the initial context and provides structure
• Makes content smoother and more consistent

Our smart free paraphrasing tool takes this process to a whole new level. We integrate innovative solutions with traditional rewording tools to get the best outcome. Our precise software will help you get improved structure and well-written content.

When using our rewrite tool, you get a high-quality and human-level result. The end product is a well-written, appealing, and intelligent piece. We want to help you improve your style and get your ideas across with the best sentence rewriter.

Our interactive tool helps you decide which version you want to use. Select the variant you are most comfortable with to ensure natural and comprehensive results.

Differences between a Paraphrasing Tool and a Paraphrasing Bot

ELEMENTS OF COMPARISON

PARAPHRASING BOT

Offer AI-powered rephrasing solutions to provide clarity and consistency

Offer basic algorithm word changes to gain profit

Produce sensible, unique work

Offer synonyms and changes without adjusting to the context

Machine learning NLP algorithms

Basic algorithms

Students, professionals, researchers, poets, and storytellers

High-quality rephrasing and rewording

Elementary vocabulary changes

When using our exceptional tool, you get the following advantages, which we like to call the 4Cs:

Your work stays clear and easily readable.

We offer human-level rephrasing.

The original idea of your work is well kept, and the new version fully conveys the original message.

Consistency

Our tool stays consistent throughout long texts and offers only top-notch changes.

On the other hand, paraphrase bots do not provide any of the above-mentioned points. They are built in a simple way and just offer synonyms, turning your work into an unreadable collection of words.

.css-we6q5k{margin:0;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;border-width:0;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEE1E3;border-bottom-width:0;height:100%;border-right-width:thin;} Technology used for our Paraphrasing Tool

We have incorporated the best practices in machine learning to present you with high-quality sentence rewriting options. Our software works wonders and is the best free tool available on the market.

The NLP technique behind the tool helps you create smart copies of your articles that present your ideas even better. This technique makes your content smooth and easily readable.

The paraphrasing tool enhances your writing style and enriches your vocabulary. The best tool for academic writing, professional research, and creative pieces is the AI-powered paraphraser.

Features of our Paraphrasing Tool

AI-powered technology

Due to a highly developed machine learning algorithm, the tool features high-quality options for rewording.

Fast & free paraphrasing service

The free interactive tool is fast and to the point. It does an amazing job as a paraphraser of words, sentences, and paragraphs.

Clear paraphrasing of your ideas

Many online sentence rewriters lose the meaning of the original text when they rewrite it, but our AI-powered tool keeps all of your original ideas.

Unique Text

Our tool offers 100% unique, plagiarism-free text, so you don’t have to worry about the originality of your article being compromised.

Structured Content

With the help of our free tool to rewrite paragraphs, you can be sure that you have paraphrased text in the right way and kept the correct structure for your text.

Rephrasing poems & stories

We understand the importance and difficulty of paraphrasing poems and stories, and that’s why our rephrasing tool is built with proper algorithms to yield high-quality results.

Users of our Paraphrasing Tool

There are numerous ways to make the most of the tool, and we leave it to you to decide. We just want you to know that we are here for you for any of your project alterations and rephrasings. Commonly, our paraphrasing tool is used by the following personas:

If you are a student looking for a fast and easy rephrasing tool that will help you get a better grade on your assignment, we’ve got your back./nOur free paraphrase generator gives you ideas for your assignments that are free of plagiarism and can help you improve your style.

Researchers

Our rephrasing tool is here to help you get more out of your research and avoid plagiarism. Whether you are working on your PhD, thesis, or brand-new research, we will add creativity and sophisticated words to your work.

Script Writers

Unleash your creative side and write down your script ideas and the most fascinating scenarios. Let the rephrasing tool do the rest of the rewriting to help you better appeal to your audience. Choose this tool to assist you with script changes while preserving the context of your work.

Poets and storytellers

Let inspiration guide you to write down stories and poems that come from your heart and soul. In turn, our paraphrase generator will create all the necessary paraphrases to construct your writing in the necessary tone and style. Make your poems and stories stand out with words that will hook your reader.

Content writers and copywriters

If you need to summarize your copywriting, look no further, because our tool will do the job for you. Using our easy-to-use paraphrase generator, we’ll keep the meaning of the original content but give you a newer version.

Produce your best-performing blog content every time with the help of our free tool. We will help you create unique content every time and keep your readers interested.

Digital Marketers

If you have a task to write ad copy or SEO-related blog posts, we will help you write the best-performing content for your readers.

Why is paraphrasing-tool.com the best tool?

We are pleased to offer you the best AI-powered solutions to level up your writing. The rich vocabulary of the paraphrase generator will give your great work an extra kick. Here are the reasons that we consider ourselves the best tool out there:

A great user interface

Human-level and professional rephrasing

Machine learning technology

Free access

Adjusted wording without meaning loss

Explore our suite of AI writing tools for grammar checking, summarzing and much more!

How does this tool impact the academic writing skills of students.

Our tool for paraphrasing uses machine learning algorithms to give you a better and wider range of words. While using our tool, students not only learn new words but also see the correct way to use them in text. Using our tool results in better quality text, new words learned, and improved clarity.

Does this tool help in developing the quality of the essay?

Definitely, yes! If you are stuck in a place where you don’t have any ideas on how to proceed with your essay, the tool will come in handy. We will supply you with newer phrases and elevated ideas for you to use.

Is using a paraphrasing tool considered plagiarism?

No. As mentioned, the tool provides plagiarism-free content while keeping the original meaning of your work. Each rephrasing is unique and unlike any other piece paraphrased on our website.

Is using a paraphrasing tool cheating?

If you are paraphrasing your own ideas or looking for inspiration, it is not cheating. When paraphrasing, you are not stealing any ideas; you are just researching other options for presenting your ideas.

Can teachers tell if you used a paraphrasing tool?

The tool uses special algorithms to paraphre your work with human-like options. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to tell whether you have used a paraphrase tool.

Which paraphrasing tool is best for academic writing?

The tool is structured to help you get new ideas and freshen up your academic work. The paraphraser identifies the subject you are writing about and, with special algorithms, offers you words and phrases relating to your topic.

Copyright © 2024 Paraphrasing-tool.com. All rights reserved.

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'Incredibly Well-Preserved' Arrow Older Than Vikings Found in Melting Ice

A tool dating back around 1,300 years that's believed to have been used for hunting was found on the surface of glacial ice in Norway on Wednesday.

The artifact was discovered on the Lendbreen ice patch in Innlandet county by a team of archaeologists from Secrets of the Ice, a program that specializes in the archaeology of glaciers and ice patches.

Glacial archaeologist Lars Holger Pilø, who is the co-director of Secrets of the Ice, told Newsweek: "Lendbreen is a 'lost' mountain pass site, which also contains remains from reindeer hunting, like the arrow."

Images of the arrow were shared in viral posts on X, formerly Twitter, by Secret of the Ice as well as on Reddit by Pilø under the username ScaringStick . A couple of more images that Pilø shared with Newsweek provide additional views of the arrow.

Pilø, who is also affiliated with the Innlandet County Council Department of Cultural Heritage, explained: "The arrow in question is incredibly well-preserved even for ice finds. It was found lying on the ice, which is normally a sign that the melt has reached layers previously untouched by melt. So, this arrow has probably not been out of the ice since it was lost 1,300 years ago. It is frozen in time in a literal sense."

According to Pilø, the arrow can be dated by the shape of its iron arrowhead, which is a known type, found in graves from around A.D. 700, which is older than the Viking Age, a period spanning from A.D. 800 to A.D. 1050.

"We have also found a few arrows with a similar arrowhead on a few occasions, which have come out with the same radiocarbon date. Though none were so well-preserved as the one from yesterday [Wednesday], which is in an exceptional condition," he noted.

Pilø and his team have been rescuing finds from the ice in Innlandet county since 2006, as part of a collaboration between the Innlandet County Council and the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo. They now have 69 ice sites and over 4,000 archaeological finds from the ice in the county alone.

In August, researchers from Secrets of the Ice found objects known as "scaring stick" flags in Breheimen National Park in a mountainous region of Norway, which were believed to be around 1,500 years old. The team discovered one complete flag and a broken one around 65 feet away.

"The emergence of archaeological finds from the retreating ice is directly linked to global warming ," Pilø said.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the average annual temperature in Norway has risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius since 1900 and warming is expected to continue in the future.

"Warming has been strongest during the spring and in northern parts of the country. The islands of Svalbard, situated further north, have experienced a higher warming rate than mainland Norway," the IEA said.

Climate projections show that the country's average temperature is likely to be around 4.5 degrees Celsius higher by the end of the century than it was in the period from 1971 to 2000.

While the increase in temperature is expected to impact all seasons, it will be stronger in the winter than the summer, which means that "the growing season"—the number of days with an average temperature above 5 degrees Celsius—is "likely to lengthen considerably by the end of the century," the IEA said.

Do you have a travel or science-related video or story to share? Let us know via [email protected] and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

About the writer

Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health. 

Soo covered the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, including interviews with chief medical advisor to the president,  Dr. Anthony Fauci . Soo has reported on various major events, including the  Black Lives Matter movement , the U.S . and Canadian elections , and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics . Before Newsweek, Soo was a travel reporter and commissioning editor for the award-winning travel section of the Daily Telegraph (a leading U.K. national newspaper) for nearly a decade from 2010, reporting on the latest in the travel industry, from travel news, consumer travel and aviation issues to major new openings and emerging destinations.

Soo is also a South Korea expert, from the  latest K-dramas  including  Squid Game ,  Korean films and K-pop news to  interviews with the biggest Korean actors . Soo is the author of the book How to Live Korean , which is available in 11 languages, and co-author of the book Hello, South Korea: Meet the Country Behind Hallyu.

Soo is a graduate of Binghamton University in New York and the journalism school of City University in London, where she earned a Masters in international journalism.

Languages spoken: English and Korean.

Follow her on Instagram at @miss.soo.kim or X, formerly Twitter, at @MissSooKim

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