What's in a Word?


Euphemism: a milder or more positive expression used to replace a negative or unpleasant one.
Dysphemism: replacing a neutral or positive expression with a negative or unpleasant one.

Euphemisms and Dysphemisms


Euphemisms are the most common of the subtle persuasion techniques. You have probably even used them yourself many times without even realizing it. An euphemism is when a phrase-usually one that is harsh, negative, or offensive-is replaced with a milder or more positive expression.

When we replace a positive or natural expression with one that is negative or unpleasant, we are using a dysphemism.

Euphemisms and dysphemisms are used more than ever these days, especially in advertising , the media, and by politicians to influence out thoughts and feelings.

So now, tell me. Which one that you choose? Or which one you prefer the most? For me, I guess I love dysphemisms. Why you need to say something in a nicer way? If it harsh, then be it. Accept it. When you use euphemisms, it is like you are covering or hiding the truth. Two words from me, dysphemisms rule!

Thinking vs. Knowing


If you have ever watched the popular TV series CSI, you know that the investigators on the show rely heavily on evidence to prove their theories and solve their cases. What does this mean? It means that before they point any fingers, they use scientific proof to justify their claims.
As a viewer, you may have an opinion as to who committed the crime in question-that is, you may believe one character over another. But according to the crime scene investigators, who did what and when is a matter of fact. That is, with enough evidence, they do not believe-they know-because they can prove it..

Now, let's define fact and opinion.

Facts are:

• Things known for certain to have happened
• Things known for certain to be true
• Things known for certain to exist

Opinions, on the other hand, are:

• Things believed to have happened
• Things believed to be true
• Things believed to exist

Essentially, the difference between fact and opinion is the difference between believing and knowing. Opinions may be based on facts, but they are still what we think, not what we know. Opinions are debatable; facts are usually are not. A good test for whether something is a fact or opinion is to ask yourself, "Can this statement be debated? Is this known for certain to be true?" If you can answer yes to the second, you have a fact. If you are not sure, then it is best to assume that it is an opinion until you can verify that it is indeed a fact.

Why the Difference between Fact and Opinion Is Important?

When you are making decisions, it is important to be able to distinguish between fact and opinion-between what you or others believe and what you or others know to be true. When you make decisions, assess others'arguments, and support your own arguments, use facts, as they generally carry more weight that opinions.

Inductive Reasoning
As a critical thinking, when you come across a deductive argument, you should examine the validity of the evidence for the conclusions. If the evidence is valid, the conclusion-and therefore the whole argument-is a good one. However, in inductive reasoning, the goal is not to test the validity of the evidence. Rather, it is to examine the validity of the conclusion. If the conclusion stems logically from the evidence, then the argument can be considered a good one.

But, how do you know if the conclusion is logical? In inductive reasoning, the main criterion is to determine the likelihood that the premises lead to the conclusion. Likelihood can be judged based on:

1. Common sense
2. Past experience

In short, inductive reasoning is the process of drawing conclusions from evidence. A good inductive argument is one in which it is very likely that the premises lead to the conclusion. Past experience and common sense can be used to measure that likelihood.

Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills.

No matter who you are or what you do, you have to make decisions on a regular basis. You may not realize it, but even those decisions that seem like second nature-like deciding what to wear when you are getting dressed in the morning-require some critical thinking and reasoning skills. When you decide what to wear, you take many factors into consideration-the weather forecast; the current temperature; your plans for the day (where are you going? who will you see)?; your comfort level (will you be walking a lot? sitting all day?); and so on.n Thus, you are already a critical thinker on some level. But your life is complicated, and you face decisions that are much more difficult than choosing what to wear. How do you handle a conflict? Solve a problem? Resolve a crisis? Make a moral or ethical decision?

What are Critical Thinking and Reasoning Skills?

Essentially, critical thinking means carefully considering a problem, claim, question, or situation in order to determine the best solution. That is, when you think critically, you take the time to consider all sides of an issue, evaluate evidence, and imagine different scenarios and possible outcomes. It sounds like a lot of work, but the same basic critical thinking skills can be applied to all types of situations.

A quotation from Napoleon Hill:

"The person who thinks before he acts seldom has to apologize for his acts."

Come on, man! Test your brain!

Ahah! Remember our movie screening that night? 'Test Your Brain', 26/01/2012 at Dewan Cerun. The paper is still strongly glued to one of my housemates' wall. I'm sure you still remember it very well. At first I really hesitated to watch the movie. I'm one of the outsiders after all. But then, after being persuaded, I hardly dragged my both legs to Dewan Cerun and all I can say is, IT IS ALL WORTH IT! No SMS, no earphone, no talking. That movie really does grabbed my whole attention that night. It makes me realize that our brain is more amazing than what I have ever thought it would be. For a minute, I feel like I want to be David Copperfield in women's version. Manipulating people in front of their eyes but still, they don't even noticing it. And thank God that we have been granted with this such magnificent gift.

Well, you can say that this is another random blog or something typical like that, but for me, it takes a fortune for me to get all these lazy bones work out for it. This might sound kinda straight but as a person that don't really like literature, taking Critical Literacy paper for this semester is more than a big challenge for me. Critical means I have to think deep to the earth's core about one particular thing. And this is contradict for me as being such a relax and don't-care-about-the-surrounding person for all these years.

I don't know what to babble anymore but before I click the 'log out' button, do give me full support for this paper, ok! Chow!

*Pheww...done with my 1st entry. :D