Exam 3: Clear Thinking,critical Thinking,and Clear Writing

Any definition by synonym of the word "dog" would also be a definition by synonym of the word "animal."

Discuss whether the vagueness of the following passage is appropriate to the context that is stated or implied.Pay particular attention to the underlined expressions. "I believe the worth of any economic policy must be measured by the strength of its commitment to American families,the bedrock of our society.There is no instrument of hard work,savings,and job creation as effective as the family.There is no cultural institution as ennobling as family life,and there is no superior-indeed,no equal-means to rear the young,protect the weak,or attend the elderly-none.Yet past government policies betrayed families and family values.They permitted inflation to push families relentlessly into higher and higher tax brackets.And not only did the personal exemption fail to keep pace with inflation,in real dollars its actual value dropped dramatically over the last thirty years." -Radio address given by Ronald Reagan in December 1985

Indicate whether this informal definition is by example,by synonym,or analytical:A slice occurs when the ball flies in a curve because of lateral spin;the slice curves to the right if the golfer is right-handed and to the left if the golfer is left-handed.

Determine whether the following claim is best classified as semantically ambiguous (and whether this contains grouping ambiguities),syntactically ambiguous,or free from ambiguity:He went to the store but was held up in the process.

Determine whether the following claim is best classified as semantically ambiguous (and whether this contains grouping ambiguities),syntactically ambiguous,or free from ambiguity:From an accident report:The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go,so I ran over him.

Evaluate the following claim,paying particular attention to problems of clarity.Note that claims may also present problems of knowability,though we don't address knowability per se in this chapter. Every account that Delwood has worked on has come back with computational errors in it.

Considering the context in which it was most likely uttered,would you say the following claim is ambiguous,too vague,or neither? Why You Want Sex Changes as You Age -American Health/Psychology Today

Classify the following:"My idea of a beautiful woman? That would be Robin Flores."

Identify any unnecessary and potentially offensive references to gender,race,or other features in the following passage and,as necessary,rewrite the passage in neutral language. "That's one small step for a man,and one giant leap for mankind."-Neil Armstrong,upon first setting foot on the moon

Considering the context in which it was most likely uttered,would you say the following claim is ambiguous,too vague,or neither? "Your satisfaction is guaranteed with our two-year limited guarantee."

Determine whether the claim in the following is too vague in the context that is stated or implied:One father,speaking to another:"I read recently that young children who are required to do chores around the house tend to grow up to be happier,more secure adults than children who have everything done for them."

Vague claims are more difficult to prove false than precise claims.

A grouping ambiguity is

Using a name or description of an item that you can't point to,provide a definition by example for "World Series winner." If you have difficulty doing so,try to identify the source of the trouble.

Evaluate the following claim,paying particular attention to problems of clarity.Note that claims may also present problems of knowability,though we don't address knowability per se in this chapter. Digital recordings may be all the rage these days,but every serious audiophile knows that a good analog disc played on a music system of high quality is better than even the best digital version.

For the term,"poet," invent a persuasive definition (either positive or negative).Remember,persuasive definitions can be analytical definitions,definitions by example,or definitions by synonym.

Classify the following:"Fork,n.An instrument used chiefly for the purpose of putting dead animals into the mouth."-Ambrose Bierce

Using a name or description of an item that you can't point to,provide a definition by example for "charity." If you have difficulty doing so,try to identify the source of the trouble.

Arrange the lettered items below in order of increasingly favorable emotive meaning.Instructor and/or students may want to fuss about some of our rankings in these problems.We've said (a)= (b)when (a)and (b)seem equally favorable to us. In my view,Mrs.Tuttle might be described as a.innocent. b.childlike. c.guileless. d.simple. e.artless. f.naive.

Definitions are used only to clarify the meaning of expressions that are not understood.