Well,
whether you are actively aware of this or not, weasel words are a way
of slipping personal opinion into what you are writing, and to do it in
such a way that it sounds credible, but isn't exactly verifiable. Keep reading. I'll give you a list of some common weasel word phrases toward the end, but let's talk about why weasel words are not a good thing.
If I personally think driving too fast is not a good idea and I write a piece about it like this:
"Many drivers exceed the posted speed limit..."
Can
you define 'many'? How many is many? See, I can make the statement and
you really cannot refute my statement because, depending on how you
view it, it might be true or it might not, and it's all going to depend
on what 'many' means, to you. Without any facts or stats to back that
up, 'many' can mean just about anything I want it to.
Also, the inverse of that statement can also be true.
"Many drivers stay below the posted speed limit...."
If
'many' cannot be quantified, as you can see, both statements can
invariably be true, without the other statement being untrue.
Now,
I suppose if you're writing an opinion piece, some weasel words are to
be expected, but wouldn't your opinion piece - and most definitely your
factual/informational content - be stronger and make a better point if
it had real information?
For example, "A survey by (name who did the survey) says that 90% of all drivers on the road exceed the posted limit..."
Okay, that's an example only - have no idea if there's even a real stat for that particular example, but that's not the point.
The point is - which is stronger:
"Many do this...."
~~or~~
"90% do this..."
Clearly, the second one is stronger.
Now,
why are they called weasel words? Because this is a trick that is
usually used by a writer or speaker when they are wanting to push their
opinion in their writing or speaking, but they do not have the
information or sometimes even the truth on their side and they want to
'weasel' out of giving cold, hard information and facts. (again,
usually because the facts do not support their position).
Now, what are some other weasel words?
"Some..." "Most...." "Many..." "A lot..." "More and more..." "Critics says...." "Opponents feel..." "A few..."
Can you add others to this list?
If
you've ever tried to edit or use Wikipedia, you probably know, they are
very much against weasel words. Why? Because, strange as it may seem to
think of them as a wholly reliable source, Wikipedia is trying to be an
online 'living' encyclopedia, and weasel words are not quantifiable.
If
you are writing fact/informational based articles or content, avoid
weasel words completely, and be sure to back up your assertions about
stats or facts with a reliable source. If you are writing opinion
pieces, and you feel you must use weasels words, be prepared to have
someone come along and slam your opinion as groundless or not based on
facts.
While it's true one can find a stat to support just
about any opinion one might have, a fact or stat is still preferable to
a weasel word that is lazy and possibly indicative of intentional
desire to sway opinion without providing any proof of that viewpoint.
While
reading content on the internet, keep your eye open for the use of
weasel words, and you might find yourself a bit less gullible when
reading things on the internet!
But most importantly, review
your own writing and try to remove weasel words wherever you can or
back them up with solid, useful, quantifiable information.
Hi Michelle, great information. I always thought an opinion didn't have to be backed up by facts. That's why it is an opinion :-) Thanks for the helpful info. Blessings to you!
I'm curious where in the article I said, "Michelle L Devon has never
used weasel words"? I simply said that the use of them is weaker
writing than stating things other ways, and that is a fact that remains
true, whether I make the choice to use them or not.
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