Manipulative Language
Manipulate or manipulative in the context of language use means to control or influence somebody or something in a clever or devious way. It can also mean to change or present something in a way that is false but personally advantageous.
Some examples of where we find manipulative language being used are news clips, political speeches, marketing material, and advertisements. Of course in our daily interaction with friends, peers and family, we can also experience manipulation, and may even at times attempt to manipulate others.
Facts & Opinions
A fact is a statement about an object or event which we can check up on to ensure it is accurate. An opinion is a statement about an object or event which reflects what we think about it – what our opinion of it is. It is important to be able to distinguish between the two.
Advertisers and politicians may often state opinions in such a way that they appear to be facts. Sometimes people have such strongly held beliefs that they think they are facts. Clever politicians and people who are trying to persuade us about something often use a blend or combination of fact and opinion.
Omission of facts
Sometimes we are presented with messages or pieces of information which are incomplete – the omission (leaving out).
To avoid being manipulated and to form our own independent opinions about certain events or products we need detailed information. We need to be alert to what is not being said in the same way as we need to be alert to what is being said.
Sometimes we are deliberately given insufficient facts and information is omitted which could lead us to form incorrect opinions. This is often the case in a seemingly objective factual type report.
There are many instances in political speeches, news reports, and advertisements where necessary information is omitted.