Linguo-Stylistic Features of English Language Entrepreneurial Pitches

Abstract

 Entrepreneurial or business pitches are a uniquely compressed and persuasive genre of entrepreneurial communication, requiring speakers to articulate a compelling value proposition within strict time limits while simultaneously cultivating investor trust and interest. Their success depends not only on the substantive merits of the business idea but also on the linguistic and stylistic strategies deployed to frame that idea persuasively. This study explores the linguo-stylistic characteristics of English language business pitch discourse, drawing on a dataset of 37 successful presentations delivered during Season 15 of the American investment television program Shark Tank. The analysis examines a range of lexical, grammatical, and stylistic features, including metaphor, simile, wordplay, colloquial and informal expressions, parallelism, repetition, neologisms, and euphemistic strategies, highlighting how these devices function within the pitch genre.

Findings demonstrate that entrepreneurs intentionally and systematically employ expressive linguistic mechanisms to achieve multiple communicative goals: establishing personal and professional credibility, enhancing the clarity and distinctiveness of product descriptions, fostering emotional resonance, and increasing message memorability in a competitive, high-stakes environment. Metaphors and wordplay, in particular, serve as powerful cognitive and branding tools, while colloquialism and humor help reduce social distance between pitcher and investor. By identifying these recurring patterns, the study contributes to the growing body of research on entrepreneurial discourse and underscores the role of linguistic creativity as a form of strategic communication. The insights gained offer practical implications for entrepreneurs, educators, and communication professionals seeking to optimize pitch effectiveness through targeted linguistic choices. The study contributes to research on entrepreneurial discourse by demonstrating how linguistic creativity functions as a persuasive tool in high-stakes pitch environments.