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Vagueness, Ambiguity Clarity

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Vagueness, Ambiguity, and Clarity in Writing
CRT/205
October 3, 2013

Vagueness, Ambiguity, and Clarity in Writing
The two examples I chose to analyze were examples two and three. Both of the writing samples were vague and ambiguous leaving questions and curiosity as to what the author was intending. Without the clarity in the writing, the audience is left to assume what the author’s true meaning is, but not ever really knowing if they are correct. In example two the author states, “I was thrown from my truck as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by a flock of wild turkeys.” The vagueness in the writing is found in the first sentence. As the audience, we are unsure if the author meant another person in the vehicle physically threw him out of the truck or if author was involved in a car accident and when truck went off the side of the rode the impact ejected him from the vehicle. With this statement being as vague as it is, the possibility could be either. Ambiguity is present in the second sentence, in particularly the word “by”. The way this sentence is worded, it is possible a flock of wild turkeys were the ones who found him in the ditch, or that someone else found him in a ditch near a flock of turkeys. Since the word “by” could be referring to who found him or in relation to where he was found the author could have intended either.
The author states in example three, “Next Sunday a collection will be taken to help with the cost of the new altar. Anyone wanting to help to do something on the new altar can step forward and let the committee know.” The vagueness and ambiguity are present in the second sentence. When the author is asking if anyone wants to do “something” it is very unclear as to what the options for helping are. The word “on” is also ambiguous. As the audience we are unsure if it means physically standing on the alter or about the alter.
The relationship between critical thinking and clear writing is the logic used to present the audience with the intended thoughts of the author. In the above examples, had the author used critical thinking, the vagueness and ambiguity would not have been present and the intended meanings would have been clear. The audience would not have to wonder if a flock of wild turkeys were the ones to find him in a ditch or if people would be gathering on the new alter to help. When writing is clear and critical thinking is used it is easy on the audience and no questions can be had about the intention of the material.

References
Moore, B. N., & Parker, R. (2012). Critical thinking (10th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

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