1. The Abstraction Ladder of Language

2. Abstract Language
Animal
Dog
Scrabbles

3. Language Use concrete language to promote understanding.
Qualify language…
1) Generalizations – absolutes
2) Static language – inherent/fixed
3) Indexing – context, specific
time/situations

4. Rephrase each statement so that it is less abstract and more concrete…
Edward always finds something critical to say.
Most people have lost any sense of personal responsibility.
Let’s keep our trip from getting too expensive.

5. Qualified Language Increases the clarity of communication
Qualify generalizations to avoid making a general statement an absolute one.
“Politicians are crooked.”
“A number of politicians have been shown to be dishonest.”

6. Indexing
Static evaluation refers to assessments that suggest something is unchanging.
“Don is irresponsible.”
Indexing reminds us that our evaluation applies only to specific times and circumstances.
“On the Task Committee, Don was irresponsible.”