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Avoiding Fuzzy Thinking

Make sure that all ideas in a persuasive argument are well thought out. Poorly thought-out arguments are “fuzzy thinking”—logical detours and traps that are unconvincing. Read the descriptions that follow to learn about different types of fuzzy thinking, and avoid these in your own writing.

■ Don’t make statements that jump to conclusions.

A four-day work week would close hospitals Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

This statement jumps to a conclusion. Just because hospital employees might work four days per week doesn’t mean hospitals would close three days per week. Employees would simply work different days of the week, which is already the case with hospitals.

■ Don’t make statements that exaggerate how bad or good something is.

Boomers average more than eight years at a job, while Zoomers leave after just two years—a crisis for employment.