Obfuscation, intentional vagueness, confusion

Obfuscation, intentional vagueness, confusion

Generalities are deliberately vague so that the audience may supply its own interpretations. The intention is to move the audience by use of undefined phrases, without analyzing their validity or attempting to determine their reasonableness or application.

The intent is to cause people to draw their own interpretations rather than simply being presented with an explicit idea. In trying to "figure out" the propaganda, the audience forgoes judgment of the ideas presented. Their validity, reasonableness and application may still be considered.

Examples:

• "there is no evidence to say she's been harmed" (Vague: "been harmed")
• "If we could turn back the clock and change what happened, obviously we wouldn't have done it. We can't" (Gerry McCann).  (Vague: "what happened", "done it")