Welcome to mastering precision in language! You've learned to map arguments and steel-man positions. Now let's sharpen the words you use.

Vague language creates fuzzy thinking. Precise language creates clear thinking. The words you choose literally shape how clearly you can think.

Engagement Message

Can you think of a time when unclear language caused confusion?

Consider these two statements: "Sales were pretty good this quarter" versus "Sales increased 12% this quarter, reaching $2.3 million."

The first statement feels informative but tells you almost nothing. The second gives you concrete information for decision-making.

Engagement Message

Which statement helps you think more clearly about the business?

Vague words are thinking killers. Words like "pretty good," "a lot," "soon," "usually," and "most people" sound meaningful but carry no specific information.

Your brain can't work with fuzzy concepts. It needs concrete details to make connections and spot patterns.

Engagement Message

Can you name one vague word you use often in your own thinking?

Here's your precision toolkit: Replace vague verbs with specific actions. "Improve" becomes "increase by 15%." "Handle" becomes "respond within 24 hours."

Replace fuzzy qualifiers with exact measures. "Many customers" becomes "30% of customers." "Soon" becomes "by Friday."

Engagement Message

Why might "soon" be problematic in a work context?

Let's practice the before-and-after transformation. Vague: "The meeting went well and people seemed engaged."

Precise: "The meeting ran 45 minutes as scheduled. Six participants asked questions and three volunteered for follow-up tasks."

Engagement Message

What is one clear fact in the second version that wasn’t in the first?

Here's the thinking connection: when you force yourself to use precise language, you force yourself to think more clearly about what actually happened.

Vague language often hides unclear thinking. Precise language reveals whether you really understand the situation.

Engagement Message

Think of a recent decision you made—how would precise language have improved it?

Watch for these common precision killers in your daily language: "things," "stuff," "issues," "basically," "kind of," "sort of," "pretty much."

Each time you catch yourself using one, ask: "What specifically am I talking about?"

Engagement Message

Which of these words do you use most often?

Type

Sort Into Boxes

Practice Question

Sort these statements based on whether they use vague or precise language:

Labels

• First Box Label: Vague Language
• Second Box Label: Precise Language

First Box Items

• Pretty successful
• Lots of complaints
• Going well

Second Box Items

• Increased 15%
• 47 emails
• Saved $2,400