1. ASManager2.zip Driver
2. f_slant.txt File Contents

f_slant.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
Date: <  >


Slanted Words

Words can be "slanted" to give an impression that actually may not be true. Slanted words often represent imprecise writing. They come in many varieties. Here are three:

1) Labels
2) Loaded Words
3) Glittering Generalities

1. Labels

"Labels" often represent sloppy thinking or sloppy writing. Labels are words that lump all people together. Labels do not respect individual differences. Labels usually have bad connotations. As a result, the listener or reader doesn't see the complexity of a person or what that person thinks. Here is an example:

"Congresswoman Johnson and other career women like her neglect their families."

It is difficult to see Congresswoman Johnson as an individual -- good or bad, helpful or neglectful -- when she is labeled simply as a "career woman." In addition, such a label is unfair in its implication that all women who have careers neglect their families. Here is another example:

"Don't listen to him! He's just a jock anyway."

Think: What bias does this sentence contain? What generalization is included about all people involved in sports? The implication is that a "jock" (which in itself is an uncomplimentary term) has nothing to say that is worth listening to. It may be true that the person being described should not be listened to for some reason...it is the lumping of that person with all people who play sports that represents imprecise thinking.

Now write two sentences that describe an individual simply by labeling that person as a part of a group. In each of your two sentences, include one of the following labels:

doctors
greasers
politicians
delinquents
liberals
conservatives
punkers
yuppies

Before you begin, you may want to refer once more to the examples above.

1) <  >

2) <  >

Now make a copy of your sentences in the space below. Then rewrite your sentences so that they no longer label someone unfairly.

<  >


====================

2. Loaded Words

Loaded words are another type of slanted words. Loaded words apply to ideas rather than to people. As a result, the listener or reader reacts to the oversimplified image instead of the real issue at hand. Here is an example:

"The Murray incident is just another example of police brutality."

The words "police brutality" get in the way of seeing the real issue at hand; specifically, what happened in the Murray incident. Here is another example:

"Big business cares more about profit than people."

We often associate the words "big business" with certain ideas. Precise writing will allow us to form our own conclusions, rather than simplifying and generalizing.

At the <  > angle brackets below, write two sentences. Include a loaded word in each sentence. Choose from these loaded words:

Big Government
The Military
The Establishment
The Media

1) <  >

2) <  >

Now make a copy of your sentences in the space below. Then rewrite those sentences so that the loaded words are replaced by more precise and informative writing.

<  >


====================

Compare your original and rewritten versions. Notice how replacing loaded words with more meaningful words helps you to communicate your ideas more forcefully.

3. Glittering Generalities

Glittering generalities are a third type of slanted words. Glittering generalities are so general that no one can tell exactly what they mean. Here is an example:

"I am proud to be a patriotic American."

At first glance, the word "patriotic" may sound good, but what does the person do or believe that makes him or her patriotic? When you read or hear a glittering generality, try to discover what the phrase actually means. Has the speaker or writer given you a definition so that you can judge for yourself? Do you agree with that definition?

At the <  > angle brackets below, write two sentences. Include a glittering generality in each sentence. Choose from these words: loyal (or loyalty), fair (or fairness), wholesome (or wholesomeness), inspiring (or inspiration), patriotic (or patriotism).

1) <  >

2) <  >

Now make a copy of your sentences in the space below. Then rewrite your sentences so that they no longer contain glittering generalities. In some cases, a further description of the person or situation may work best. In other cases, you may want to define the meaning of the term as you see it. Or you may want to omit the glittering generality and find another way to make your point.

 <  >

====================

One Final Thought

Now that you are aware of slanted words, you can begin to notice how often they are used. Make a note to listen carefully to political speeches, radio and television commercials, and the conversations of people around you for the next few days. Jot down some good examples of slanted words and share them with the class.

Work to increase your ability to recognize slanted words in other people's speech and writing. Then make it a point to weed out slanted words in your own speech and writing. Gradually, you will become a more thoughtful and educated consumer, citizen, speaker, and writer. And that's not a glittering generality!


If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

====================

end of activity
Copyright Renaissance Learning, Inc.