Comments on: Blog Writing Series: Quit Qualifying Your Words and Just Say it Already

By: Michael Martine

Michael Martine — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:25:19 +0000

Brilliant, Sir!

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:30:11 +0000

What you’re saying could very well be the case in my most humble but worthy estimation. But it’s very very possible, that indeed, hedging, if you will, can quite often be put to very good use if and when a hypothetical person such as you or I should decide to perhaps run for some public office in this great (in my opinion) democracy of ours, assuming that is, that we both live in the same country that is democratic. If I may, I’d like to ask you sir, this very important and most profound of all questions: where would our fine tradition of democracy, yes democracy that great tradition handed down to us from ancient Greece, be without the great or dare I say grandest of all skills in all of the civilized lands throughout all of history, which is, of course, is hedging?

This had better get through the spam filters!

By: Being Emphatically Wishy-Washy

Being Emphatically Wishy-Washy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:38:59 +0000

[...] actually somewhere in the middle of the qualifying your words debate. Some people deliberately state their opinions as facts to challenge people to either agree [...]

By: Ev

Ev — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:24:04 +0000

Hmmm, it seems to me that if you are truly unsure you should say so, if you are sure and confident about a topic, you should say so. If you adopt the “I know all” approach to all perspectives and the subsequent writing, then everything you write is reduced to hyperbole style of marketing jingo. That is as likely to turn some people off as it is to impress others. I guess if all you care about is making sales to a certain demographic, it makes sense.

By: 11/11/2008 Writing Jobs and Links | PoeWar

11/11/2008 Writing Jobs and Links | PoeWar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:01:49 +0000

[...] Blog Writing Series: Quit Qualifying Your Words and Just Say it Already: Yeah, I should maybe kinda work on this, or not. [...]

By: Takumi86

Takumi86 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:00:18 +0000

well i think that Hedging Words is important to show your opinion and experience so that at least giving them a good image of what you’re doing

By: Conrad Hees

Conrad Hees — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:56:24 +0000

Great post, Michael, I really enjoyes it. this is one of those things that everyone needs to be reminded of now and again.

Isn’t it ironic that when we write absolutely we fear that we will anger or alienate others, when in fact nothing creates a more passionate readership than opinionated, absolute posts.

Keep it up!

By: Hunter Nuttall

Hunter Nuttall — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:14:48 +0000

Hmmm, I don’t know about this. Everyone says “don’t qualify, just say it,” but don’t you sometimes need to qualify your words to be honest?

Before the election, what would have been wrong with saying “Obama will probably be the next president?” Do you really need to say “Obama will be the next president” if you’re only 55% certain?

(If you’re spreading a political message, then obviously you should be overconfident, but I mean if you’re just calling it like you see it.)

And what about “some priests are child molesters” vs. “priests are child molesters.” The latter is irresponsible, isn’t it?

I’m just saying that as I understand it, I think we might need to consider the possibility that some qualifying words might be a little helpful, or not. (OK, that sentence was pretty weak!)

By: Michael Martine, Blog Consultant

Michael Martine, Blog Consultant — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:48:35 +0000

@Nicole - Funny you mention that, because the same thing happened to me when I went to Chris Garrett's blog. I just hit the "escape" key on the keyboard and it disappeared.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:39:13 +0000

Thought you might want to know that your pop-up ad appeared below the viewing line on my screen and then froze my browser so I couldn’t scroll down to read it or close it . . . I came back to read your article (good info) and wanted to let you know that in case there’s something that you can maybe do to prevent this from affecting other readers, some of whom may not be as inclined to come back to read . . .