This document discusses ambiguity in writing and provides guidance on identifying and addressing ambiguous terms, phrases, or language. It defines ambiguity as unclear or multiple possible meanings of a word or phrase. It emphasizes considering context and the writer's intended meaning or definition. Examples are provided of commonly ambiguous terms like "freedom" and how loaded or emotionally appealing language can be ambiguous. The document advises identifying issues, conclusions, and reasons in a text and using synonyms, examples, or specific criteria to define ambiguous terms rather than sole reliance on dictionary definitions. It also notes that not all ambiguity can be resolved and arguments containing unresolved ambiguity may need to be set aside.

1. Asking the Right Questions
Week 4
What Words or Phrases are Ambiguous

2. HELPFUL WEBSITE FOR CHAPTER 5
http://critical-readings.blogspot.com/2010/10/guide-to-critical-reading-what-words-or.html

3. What does the word ambiguous
mean?
• A term or phrase is ambiguous when its
meaning is unclear
• It is the existence of multiple meanings of a
word or phrase

4. Tourism is getting out of control. Tourism can be good for the economy, but it
can also harm the locale and its residents. We need to do more to regulate
tourism. If we keep allowing these people to do whatever they please, surely
we as residents will suffer.

5. The Confusing Flexibility of Words
• The English language is
very complicated
• Words can have
multiple meanings in
different context

6. Examples of Ambiguous Terms
• Freedom, patriotism,
obscenity, rich, poor, etc

7. Checking for Ambiguity
• Do I understand the
meaning ?

8. OURBRAND SLEEP AID: WORKS GREAT
IN JUST 30 MIN!!!
WHAT IS THE AMBIGUOUS
TERM/PHRASE?
Issue: What sleep aid should you buy? Conclusion (implied): Buy OurBrand Sleep Aid

9. No-Pain is the extra strength pain
reliever
How to find and keep a good man

10. Determining Ambiguity
• Remember to begin by identifying the issue,
conclusion, and reasons.

11. example
• We absolutely must put
limits on tanning.
Tanning is a substantial
health risk with severe
consequences. Studies
have shown that those
who tan are at a higher
risk of skin diseases as a
result of tanning.

12. CONTEXT AND AMBIGUITY

13. Context!!!!
• Look at the writer’s
background
• Look at traditional uses
of the term within the
controversy
• Look at the words or
phrases around the
possible ambiguity

14. Example: Let’s say you found the words “human
rights” in an essay
• You should
automatically think
what rights are those.

15. Her Definition of human rights
• Her definition of human
rights would differ from
ours.
• She had in mind: to be
employed, receive free
health care, and obtain
adequate housing.

16. Example
• The amusement park has given great
satisfaction to most of its customers. More
than half of the people surveyed agreed that
the park had a wide variety of games and rides
and that they would return to the park soon.

17. Ambiguity, Definitions, and the Dictionary
• The meaning of terms should come in three
forms:
Synonyms, examples, or definition by
specific criteria
• Ex. Anxiety
feeling nervous, the candidate is nervous,
or it is when a feeling of discomfort and
increased sensitivity of the nervous system

18. Using a Dictionary
• Definitions are not
always helpful when
clearing up ambiguity

19. example
• The quality of education at this university is
not declining. In my interviews, I found that an
overwhelming majority of the students and
instructors who responded saw no decline in
the quality of education here.

20. When looking up “quality” in the dictionary. . .
• It shows excellence or
superiority
• These are synonyms
that, unfortunately, lead
us to uncertainty
• You must go back to
searching the author’s
background

21. Ambiguity and Loaded Language
• Certain words/phrases
have strong emotional
meanings
• They are used to pull
you in
• Loaded language is
usually ambiguous
• Be aware-it is appealing
to your emotions

22. A Few Examples. . .
• Which do you believe is a greater threat to
society: global warming or climate change?
• Would you be more likely to vote for tax relief
rather than a tax cut?
• Would you be more willing to vote for the
reduction of death taxes than estate taxes?

23. Limits
• You cannot catch or
correct all ambiguity
• If we have searched and
asked critical questions
and still have questions,
we must set aside the
argument

24. Ambiguity in your writing
• Avoid ambiguity in your reasoning
• Carefully define terms for your audience
• Provide specific examples
• Never assume your audience knows