Loaded Language

Recognize words chosen to stir strong emotions and push readers toward a judgment.

Loaded language is word choice with strong connotations meant to provoke an emotional reaction rather than give neutral information. It's common in persuasive writing, advertising, and opinion pieces. Loaded words often exaggerate ('disaster,' 'outrageous,' 'miracle'), label people ('troublemakers,' 'heroes'), or assume a conclusion ('the so-called plan'). Compare. Neutral: 'The city council voted to raise bus fares by 25 cents. ' Loaded: 'The council slapped struggling riders with yet another greedy fare hike.

' The facts are the same, but 'slapped,' 'struggling,' and 'greedy' tell readers how to feel. Loaded language isn't always dishonest; persuasive writers use it to express passion. But critical readers notice it and separate the emotion from the facts. A useful habit is to rewrite a loaded sentence in neutral words and ask: Is the argument still convincing once the emotional words are gone? If not, the evidence may be weaker than the language makes it seem.

• 1Loaded language stirs emotion to push a judgment
• 2Look for exaggeration, labels, and assumed conclusions
• 3Rewrite in neutral words to test the argument