As I was scanning the web for information on the outcome for U.S. Election 2008, I found an interesting headline, featuring an article by Gallup (a noted and reputable source of information obtained by polling and statistical research). The headline read “World Citizens Prefer Obama to McCain by More Than 3-to-1.”
Myself, being one who is ordinarily skeptical of vocabularic misrepresentation, decided to read further. I found the articles actual representation to be slightly more understandable - “among nations representing nearly three-quarters of the world’s population, 24% of citizens say they would personally rather see Obama elected president of the United States, compared with just 7% who say the same about McCain. At the same time, 69% of the world citizens surveyed did not have an opinion.” Sixty nine percent! Now that’s a more likely number in my mind. Beyond this, the article continues to point out that only about a quarter of those polled believe that the outcome of the U.S. Election makes a difference to their country.
I submit to you this example to show how misleading language can be. As a writer you should clearly outline your objectives before finalizing a piece for publication. I am not judging this technique as ineffective, only as dishonest. However, there are times when a writer must call upon a certain element of pathos in language in order to stir a response. Be discerning. Be sure to make intention an important practice in writing for publication. This includes blogging. As I always tell my writers - it is okay to break the rules, but first you must learn them, so that you break them responsibly. This separates the amateur from the professional.