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"Loaded" Words

 


After reviewing the materials for this week's modules, particularly the Associated Press article from Steve Peoples in September 2020, I have decided to mention a theme that is relative to that particular article. "Loaded" words, also known as emotional language, emotive language, emotionally charged words, loaded language, and other terms is an important idea to discuss further, especially in relation to news and journalism. When looking at biases in media is important to understand what loaded words are, and how to spot them in news. According to the The Free Dictionary, a loaded word as one “that carries additional emotional weight or significance—whether positive or negative—beyond its literal meaning.” Loaded language is generally used in journalism as a means to elicit a particular emotional response among the intended audience. The emotional response can be anger, sadness, anxiety, and other emotional feeling and responses. In addition to motivating a specific response or emotion within the readers, journalists will use loaded language to attract the attention of readers and hopes of gaining attention of additional readers. Although loaded language can be helpful in bringing attention to certain social issues or global issues, loaded language in political writing is oftentimes a clear sign of biases in the writing and the author’s political beliefs/ political affiliation. It is important to note loaded language when viewing different media sources and articles to better understand biases in media and the relationship between politics and media as a whole.

 

References

 

https://englishforjournalists.journalism.cuny.edu/2020/02/07/loaded-words/

Comments

  1. Hayleigh HudginsFebruary 23, 2022 at 11:04 AM

    I think law makers need to be especially carful when using these loaded terms because it could come back to hurt us in the future. If we think about all of the issues we have now with the interpretation of the Constitution which was written is a way that tried to prevent conflict in the future. The words we use matter so we need to be careful especially when they are in the forms of laws and other mandates.

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About Me.....

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Melissa N
Hello everyone, my name is Melissa Clopein. I am a senior at Kennesaw State University, my major is Political Science with a minor in International Relations. In my free time I enjoy cooking, hiking, traveling, and learning as much as I can about different countries and their cultures. Ever since I was old enough to truly understand politics, I have been interested in international relations and politics. In addition, I have also been extremely interested in how media influences politics and the relationship between the two, which is a major reason I am taking this class. I intend to use this blog to focus on some important topics relating specifically to mass media and politics. I think an important topic to address is the common occurrence of biases in media, extremism from the left and the right, and how both sides contribute to political polarity in U.S citizens.