Rhetoric of Fear The Death of the California Dream Health Care in Perspective The Discipline Leave No Child Behind No Daddy, No! Unconditional Equal Justice under the Law Thank God I Am Not A Woman Infallible "Don't ask, don't tell" Thou Shalt Not Kill Irreconcilable Differences My Will Positive Reinforcement Changing My Name After Sixty Years Copyright © 2000-2009 Thomas E. Rosenberg. All right reserved. Essays may be reproduced with written permission. tomr@inaword.org

The elimination of negative words brings clarity to speech The Discipline Over the years, as I worked to improve my writing I became aware that negative words impede clarity. I began eliminating the use of negative words and found this style to be helpful in many ways. My investigative skills improved. Issues, defined in negative terms, tend to be obfuscated. The negative declaration raised a warning flag. Questioning the negative helped me get to the heart of issues. Use of positive words improved clarity. My writing required a minimum amount of editing. Declarative sentences require substantiation. People rarely question a substantiated statement and will accept a positive statement because it more clearly expresses intent. To the degree negative words obfuscate an issue, they create doubt and skepticism. Conversely, positive words build credibility and confidence. As I became more attached to this style, I found that consciously eliminating negative words in my speech had a profound affect on my approach to life. I believe in negative thought. I have found that the most negative thought can generally be expressed using positive words. The discipline affects all areas of life. When applied to education texts will be easier to read and more accurate. Clarity promotes understanding. Comprehension is measurable. How much would an increase in comprehension be worth? To the extent that negative words obfuscate issues, consider their effect on public policy. For example, "Don't ask. Don't tell," a policy under which gay men and women are allowed to serve in the military, violates their civil rights. A policy stated in positive words would have to allow gay people to serve. In time of war, we demand "unconditional surrender." In World War II "unconditional surrender" delayed the end of the war with Japan and was used to justify the needless use of atom bombs. Many laws and commandments are negative declarations. Consider the relative effectiveness of "Honor the Sanctity of Life" versus "Thou Shall Not Murder." One test of a law is if it works. Perhaps most significant, the elimination of negative words from language facilitates reconciliation. Obviously, differences can only be reconciled if both parties are willing; however, negative words are, at the least, an impediment, and often an emotional obstacle to reaching agreement. Eliminating negative words should be treated as a discipline for language influences the way we think and act. Positive words promote objective thought. Certain situations may require a somewhat contrived response but these instances are relatively few and when necessary, will reinforce our attitudes and direct the thought process. Can all negative words be eliminated from language? Yes. Gender based speech is disappearing. Time and patience is required to break a bad habit. The potential benefits make the effort well worthwhile.