Loaded Words
Learning Objectives
In this lesson, you will focus on the following objective:
Vocabulary: Understanding how to recognize loaded words.
Vocabulary: Understanding how to recognize loaded words.
Loaded Words
Loaded words express strong opinions or emotions. Some reveal bias, or prejudice. Some are hyperbole, or the use of exaggeration to make a point. Some rely on propaganda, or language that may distort the truth to be persuasive.
Literature Connection
In the following passage, Alice Walker leaves no doubt that she admires Dr. King.
In the following passage, Alice Walker leaves no doubt that she admires Dr. King.
“He displayed no fear, but seemed calm and serene, unaware of his own extraordinary courage.”
Walker’s words and phrases—calm, serene, “extraordinary courage”—all help her praise him. “Loaded words” such as these can make speech and writing powerful and persuasive. We encounter them at political rallies, on TV commercials, in the editorial pages of newspapers, and in our own everyday conversation. Loaded words are powerful weapons. They should be used responsibly.
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There are different kinds of loaded words.
- Language that expresses an author’s prejudice demonstrates bias. Try substituting bold for reckless in the statement below. Note how bold seems positive, while reckless seems disapproving.
One particularly reckless young protestor scaled the White House fence. - Exaggerated language used to make a point is hyperbole.
All the police dogs in the world could not have stopped this demonstration. - Language that may distort the truth in order to influence the public is known as propaganda.
Communists and other anti-American elements infiltrated the Civil Rights Movement in order to betray our nation’s values.
From the loaded words or phrases that follow the paragraph below, select those that best support the author’s opposition to a war.