I do not so easily think in words.... after being hard at work having arrived at results that are
perfectly clear... I have to translate my thoughts in a language that does not run evenly with them.
- Francis Galton, Geneticist.

Language refinement plays a critical role in enhancing a person’s cognitive maps, and their ability to think critically which is the knowledge base for efficacious action. Enriching the complexity and specificity of language simultaneously produces effective thinking.

Language and thinking are closely entwined. Like either side of a coin, they are inseparable. When you hear fuzzy language, it is a reflection of fuzzy thinking. Intelligent people strive to communicate accurately in both written and oral form taking care to use precise language, defining terms, using correct names and universal labels and analogies. They strive to avoid overgeneralizations, deletions and distortions. Instead they support their statements with explanations, comparisons, quantification, and evidence.

We sometimes hear students and other adults using vague and imprecise language. They describe objects or events with words like weird, nice, or OK. They call specific objects using such non-descriptive words as stuff, junk and things. They punctuate sentences with meaningless interjections like "ya know", "er" and "uh". They use vague or general nouns and pronouns: "They told me to do it". "Everybody has one." Teachers do not understand me. They use non-specific verbs: "Let's do it." and unqualified comparatives: "This soda is better; I like it more".-Arthur L. Costa, Ed. D.

Learning Activities:

* Try to improve your own language and thought precision.
* Write an instruction manual for an object in the home or school.
* See how well another student can understand how to operate the equipment.
* Describe a ball in 10 different ways.