Page 198 - Smart Thinking: Skills for Critical Understanding and Writing, 2nd Ed
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GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS 185
may not be true, but at least its clarity allows us to assess its truth. While, no matter
how hard we try, we can never be sure our audience will always understand exactly
what we mean, writing well-formed claims ensures that at least we know what we
are trying to say. Compare with connotation. (See chapter 5.)
well-founded claim
A claim is well founded if, relative to the audience and context in which it is
presented, it is likely to be accepted as true. Well-founded claims often depend on
appeals to authority or a complete argument or explanation to ensure that their
truth is less open to doubt. Compare with self-evident claim. (See chapter 5.)
word
The basic unit from which we construct statements. Words are only meaningful in
relation to other words. Compare with connotation. (See chapter 2.)
