Appendix C: Communicating Meaning

• Semantics: The Reader’s and Writer’s Roles

• Most Either-Or Classifications Aren’t Valid

• Polarization is a common logical fallacy that forces readers into accepting a position by arguing that only two positions exist.

• Blindering imposes limits that do not exist in reality and can be responsible for poor questions in surveys.

  • For example: Census surveys formerly asked for racial information with these options:
    • Caucasian 2. African-American 3. Asian
    • Pacific Islander