"Vague words are very common on surveys. A word is vague when it is not obvious to a respondent what referents (e.g., instances, cases, examples) fall under the umbrella of the word's intended meaning...For example, consider the question, 'How many members of your household work?' T...
Descriptive words can also be words that carry clear meaning. For instance, the word “teacher” indicates someone who instructs students or someone who conveys information to others. However, other words can carry clearer meaning. A “professor” is also a teacher, but we generally think of a...
Example of colloquial diction: Sounds like you’ve loaded the wrong wagon. 7 Abstract diction Abstract diction refers to discussing something intangible, like an idea or emotion. It’s hard to put abstract thoughts into words, so abstract diction often comes across as vague or ambiguous. Ex...
They could be pointing to a single, vague, or unidentified individual or object. Jan thought he remembered hearingsomethingout of the ordinary while he was sleeping. Someoneleft their shoes on the lawn last night. All of Something These Indefinite pronouns can be used to refer to everything, ...
Litotes is a vague statement that uses a negative to express a positive (for example, “he’s not wrong,” meaning he’s right). Meiosis is a strategic understatement that diminishes or downplays a subject (“ambulance chaser” instead of “personal injury attorney”)....
5. Being too vague:Be specific about your skills and successes. Numbers often speak louder than words in the sales world. Bad example: "I have a good track record in sales." Good example: "Over the past two years, I've consistently exceeded my sales targets by at least 20%." ...
informal writing only. It’s OK to use “etc.” in a blog post, message to a friend, or social media post, but exclude it from essays, research papers, orresumes. Using “etc.” may come across as lazy or vague in formal settings. Instead of using “etc.,” try words or phrases...
Specificity in your CV headline gives employers a clear understanding that your capabilities match the skills they’re seeking. Instead of using general or vague terms, including specific details is important. For instance, a generic headline like "Experienced Sales Representative" is pretty blah. But...
This can lead to mission statements that are vague, uninspiring, or fail to resonate with their audience. To help you develop a compelling mission statement for your company, we’ve compiled a list of do’s and don’ts. These best practices are designed to steer you away from common ...
Numbered Lists: Perfect for showing steps or a series of events in order. Bold/Italics: Use bold or italics to highlight important words or phrases. Headings: Use headings (H1, H2, H3) to break your content into sections and guide the reader. ...