Eben PaganDiscovery Hub

Use 'you' and 'your' most — teach individuals not audiences

When teaching online, use 'you' and 'your' as your most frequent words. Each student is physically alone when learning digitally, so collective references like 'greetings ladies and gentlemen' feel disconnected and break rapport, while direct address feels personal and engaging. Teachers guide students through processes using direct personal language; tellers just deliver information to groups using formal collective language. Share your complete thinking process instead of presenting finished decisions — explain where you got the idea, what data you used, your entire decision-making journey. This creates engagement rather than passive reception. The distinction between teacher and teller is the difference between someone going through the material with you versus someone reading at you. Always address the one person in front of the screen.

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When teaching online, use 'you' and 'your' as your most frequent words. Each student is physically alone when learning digitally, so collective references like 'greetings ladies and gentlemen' feel disconnected and break rapport, while direct address feels personal and engaging. Teachers guide students through processes using direct personal language; tellers just deliver information to groups using formal collective language. Share your complete thinking process instead of presenting finished decisions — explain where you got the idea, what data you used, your entire decision-making journey. This creates engagement rather than passive reception. The distinction between teacher and teller is the difference between someone going through the material with you versus someone reading at you. Always address the one person in front of the screen.

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    Share Your Full Thinking Process, Not Just the Finished Decision

    Share your complete thinking process instead of presenting finished decisions. Explain where you got the idea, what data you used, and your entire decision-making journey to create engagement.

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    Use 'You' and 'Your' as Your Most Frequent Teaching Words

    Use 'you' and 'your' as your most frequent words instead of speaking to the group collectively. Each student is alone, so direct address creates connection while group language breaks rapport.

    → Canonical answer
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    Teachers Guide Through Process; Tellers Just Deliver Information

    Teachers guide students through processes using direct, personal language, while tellers just deliver information to groups using formal, collective language.

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    Speak Directly Using 'You' and 'Your' to Create Personal Connection

    Avoid third-person collective language like 'greetings ladies and gentlemen' and instead speak directly using 'you' and 'your' to create personal connection.

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    Each Online Student Is Alone — Direct Address Beats Group Language

    Because each student is actually alone when learning online, so collective references feel disconnected while direct address feels personal and engaging.

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    You' and 'Your' Should Be the Words Teachers Say Most Often

    'You' and 'your' should be the words you say most often to create direct, personal connection with each student.

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