Emily Diao | Week 10: The Weight of Words
Emily Diao
Mrs. Smith
English 11 AP
January 29, 2025
image credit: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/word-media-cut-out-magazine-letters-133867619
Have you ever noticed how two news outlets can cover the same event but leave you with completely different impressions? This is achieved through media framing and the careful selection of diction, powerful language tools that can subtly shape our perception of the world. From politics to social issues, the way news is presented can heavily influence public opinion, reinforce biases, and even possibly alter the course of history.
It’s no secret that words are powerful. Loaded terms like “propaganda” and “truth” evoke strong emotions, whereas labels like “terrorist” or “freedom fighter” shape how we perceive individuals or groups, then we have euphemisms and dysphemism's that can soften harsh realities or amplify negativity, respectively. Even subtle choices, such as using “claimed” instead of “stated,” can plant seeds of doubt or bias. These word choices aren't coincidental, they're deliberate tools that serve a powerful role in shaping narratives.
Media framing is the manner in which information is organized to assist in comprehending, take climate change, for instance; it reaches us in various forms: some refer to it as an “urgent crisis” whilst others call it a “hoax.” Media framing does more than report information—they seize moments of emotion and action and manipulate perspectives, granting those who utilize this the ability to perpetuate stereotypes and undermine media credibility. This in turn makes it increasingly difficult to discern the truth, underscoring the power of words.
In an information-saturated world, it's especially important we select our sources properly and carefully.
Hi Emily! I am writing this comment whilst taking a break from annotations, so the first thing I noticed is the rhetorical question you started with. Nice work! It definitely grabbed my attention on the power of news outlets in shaping our perspectives. You explained well how word choices influence public opinion and can create doubt or reinforce stereotypes. Unreliable media networks (cough cough, Fox News...) certainly know how to manipulate language to push their agendas, which makes it even more important to choose our sources wisely. Thank you for sharing this informative post!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I agree with you about having two different impressions on the same new topic. The choice of words can really impact how someone takes home an message. Words have a much bigger power than anything else in my opinion. Saying one word can mean something different than the other and it can also make someone feel a certain way when the word is being said differently. The same word can be expressed in a sad tone or even a happy tone. Words are the biggest reasons why we have happy moments or even sad moments. They can also shape the way someone looks at a particular problem.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! Your blog was definitely very insightful and I agree with you that the different words people use to describe events affect the way those events are perceived. Your specific examples, for instance, comparing the word “terrorist” to “freedom fighter” reminded me of the ways in which different media outlets present different events and people based on their political bias. I think your explanation of media framing is very valuable, especially in today’s world, where you can find information and news all over the internet that is not always reliable or unbiased. Overall, I really enjoyed reading your blog, and cannot wait to see what you write next!
ReplyDeleteHey Emily, I also think the media is quite a powerful force. There are many times in which I look at a headline and see some news which usually I would pay no attention to, but because it is bolded and talked about on television, I am suddenly hooked. I might even go to school and talk about it with my friends. These words go in to our minds and plant whatever emotions the media wants the public to have. This control in impossible to escape, but I feel that nowadays I have become more immune to false news as I decide to use my mind and think for myself more.
ReplyDeleteHey Emily! Starting off, I like the way you used the rhetorical question to frame your blog, which tackles a really interesting problem in society. I feel like the political climate of the US is very divisive right now, which is why it's hard to find a news source (for example our Precis) that is nonpartisan and unbiased. National media often exaggerates the significance or importance of a certain topic just for extra clicks and views, all for more money. Overall your blog did a great job reiterating the dangers of manipulating language and misinformation, reminding us not to believe everything you see on the Internet.
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