Clear and Precise Writing: The Power of Avoiding Vague Language

What is Vague Language?

Vague language in writing refers to words or phrases that lack precision and clarity, making it difficult for readers to understand the exact meaning or intent. Such language often includes generalizations, ambiguous terms, or imprecise descriptions. Vague language can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations as it does not provide specific details or clear context.

Examples of Vague Language

Generalizations: Using terms like “many,” “several,” “a lot,” and “some.” Ambiguous Terms: Words like “big,” “large,” “small,” “tragic,” and “nice.” Imprecise Descriptions: Phrases like “sort of,” “kind of,” “somewhat,” and “quite.”

Why Avoid Vague Language?

There are several compelling reasons to avoid vague language:

Clarity: Clear writing helps convey the intended message effectively. Engagement: Readers are more likely to stay engaged with specific and vivid descriptions. Credibility: Precise language enhances the writer’s authority and credibility.

Tips to Avoid Vague Language

Use Specific Words: Choose precise nouns and verbs that convey exact meanings. Provide Details: Include relevant details that clarify your points. Define Terms: If using potentially vague terms, provide definitions or context.

Vagueness vs. Ambiguity

Unlike an ambiguous sentence which has two or more different but clear meanings, a vague sentence does not have any clear meaning at all. It just hints and can be taken many ways.

The Impact of Vague Language on Writing

Vague language is language that talks about something without directly saying what it is. Avoid vague language in your essays whenever possible since it makes your ideas more difficult to follow. In speech or writing, vagueness is the imprecise or unclear use of language, contrasted with the clarity and specificity of clear language. Adjective: vague.

Rhetorical Strategies of Vagueness

Vagueness often occurs unintentionally but may also be employed as a deliberate rhetorical strategy to avoid dealing with an issue or responding directly to a question. According to Macagno and Walton, vagueness can be a political strategy to Vagueness as a Political Strategy (2013) by Giuseppina Scotto di Carlo. They note that vagueness can be used to obscure or minimize the impact of a statement.

Examples of Vague Writing and the Impact of Removing Vagueness

Let’s consider the following examples with vague terms and see how removing them can improve clarity:

Maddock looked at the wall which seemed to be smeared with spaghetti sauce. The bomb fell approximately ten or twelve feet away from me. Elle was about forty-five minutes late for her dentist appointment when a cop pulled her over apparently for speeding. Mark’s figures revealed that the addition to the house would take up roughly fifty square feet.

Without Vagueness:

Maddock looked at the wall which was smeared with spaghetti sauce. The bomb fell ten feet away from me. Elle was forty-five minutes late for her dentist appointment when a cop pulled her over for speeding. Mark’s figures revealed that the addition to the house would take up fifty square feet.

Identifying and Correcting Vague Language

The following are examples of vague words or expressions along with more specific ones:

Vague: This poem gives me a certain feeling.
Specific: This poem gives me a happy feeling. Vague: A particular experience taught me the value of physical health.
Specific: My years traveling with the circus taught me the value of physical health. Vague: This paper will explain my beliefs about animal testing.
Specific: This paper will explain my opposition to animal testing. Vague: The authors view of taxes can be seen in Chapter Three.
Specific: The authors favorable view of taxes can be seen in Chapter Three.

Conclusion

The choice of precise language is crucial for effective and engaging writing. Vague language weakens your prose and can confuse readers, while specific and vivid descriptions enhance credibility and clarity. By mastering the art of avoiding vagueness, writers can communicate more effectively and achieve their intended impact.