Speculative Language

When you use words such as maybe, might be, can be, could be, possibly, perhaps, seems, possibly, probably, etc. you are using speculative language.

You are pointing out the possibilities, but you are not arguing. When you argue, you must provide support for the single most likely answer.

Use definite language. State your ideas like a fact: “Capital punishment is the right of society.” “Genetic modification will ruin society.” Take a definite stand on an idea. Afterwards, you must support the idea with evidence. Then you will have an argument.

If you cannot provide evidence to support your statement, you should rethink your position. No one is ever 100% sure, but you must state ideas like you are. Only then will you be able to convince other people.

Speculative

            Genetic modification might not be a good idea. There could be a lot of drawbacks to genetic modification. It can cause random mutations, which might cause even more health problems. Genetically modifying people might not be permanent, either. The modified genes could revert back, so the diseases could come back. It’s possible that genetic modification might lead to unfairness as people could customize their children, perhaps giving them better traits, and maybe keeping children from choosing their own future.

Declarative

            Genetic modifications are not a good idea. The drawbacks of modifications outweigh the benefits. Researchers are not able to accurately predict all outcomes, so the results of modifications cannot be one hundred percent beneficial to people’s health. There is also no guarantee that changes are permanent, resulting in the reversion of genes to their former state, bringing disease back with them. Genetic modification begins with eliminating disease, but left unchecked they will result in everyday modifications throughout society, meaning parents will feel pressured to customize their children in order to allow them to succeed in a world where genetic modification is not just encouraged, but required. Such pressures force parents to choose their children’s futures in order to customize them for the right career.