Language allows us to plan our world. Using language is the ability to use words and create an infinite number of sentences or phrases to express our thoughts. So, we must pay attention to the words that we and others choose and use.
In this way, language can be precise or also vague and ambiguous. To communicate precisely, we must think critically about the words we use (knowing the context and meaning), defend our claim, and evaluate the accuracy of the premises without leading to misunderstanding. All of this allows for convincing arguments and comprehensible ideas.
On the other hand, a lack of precision can lead to confusion among the readers. While vagueness involves words with unclear boundaries, ambiguity involves terms with multiple meanings. For example: “My mother is a successful trader” What does “successful” mean? Does she make a fortune? Does she make enough money every day? It’s unclear (vagueness); What does “trader” mean? Does she sell goods or trade stocks? (ambiguity).
We have already discussed precision and the consequences of its absence. Now, there is another important topic to address: emotive language. This type of language expresses the attitude and feelings of the writers. Its goal is to make the reader feel a specific way rather than to increase their knowledge. It can distort the truth to such an extent that it makes it more attractive.
Finally, there are different types of fallacies, such as those based on relevance or those that involve insufficient evidence. Fallacies based on relevance are primarily divided into ad hominem (attacking a personality of a person rather than on argument), and slippery slope (claiming something without sufficient evidence). However, fallacies based on insufficient evidence are hasty generalizations (making a general conclusion from a sample biased) and appeals to ignorance (claiming something because no one has demonstrated it false.
Example of Analyzing arguments:
Premise 1: All winners of the writing prize wrote at least three books.
Premise 2: Ana won the writing prize.
Conclusion: So, Ana wrote at least three books.
In this way, language can be precise or also vague and ambiguous. To communicate precisely, we must think critically about the words we use (knowing the context and meaning), defend our claim, and evaluate the accuracy of the premises without leading to misunderstanding. All of this allows for convincing arguments and comprehensible ideas.
On the other hand, a lack of precision can lead to confusion among the readers. While vagueness involves words with unclear boundaries, ambiguity involves terms with multiple meanings. For example: “My mother is a successful trader” What does “successful” mean? Does she make a fortune? Does she make enough money every day? It’s unclear (vagueness); What does “trader” mean? Does she sell goods or trade stocks? (ambiguity).
We have already discussed precision and the consequences of its absence. Now, there is another important topic to address: emotive language. This type of language expresses the attitude and feelings of the writers. Its goal is to make the reader feel a specific way rather than to increase their knowledge. It can distort the truth to such an extent that it makes it more attractive.
Finally, there are different types of fallacies, such as those based on relevance or those that involve insufficient evidence. Fallacies based on relevance are primarily divided into ad hominem (attacking a personality of a person rather than on argument), and slippery slope (claiming something without sufficient evidence). However, fallacies based on insufficient evidence are hasty generalizations (making a general conclusion from a sample biased) and appeals to ignorance (claiming something because no one has demonstrated it false.
Example of Analyzing arguments:
Premise 1: All winners of the writing prize wrote at least three books.
Premise 2: Ana won the writing prize.
Conclusion: So, Ana wrote at least three books.