Comments on: Gods and Ducks – Get It Right http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:10 -0600 hourly 1 By: Advice Network http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-5449 Advice Network Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:58:33 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/#comment-5449 You want one that (almost) nobody uses correctly? It's "Begs the question." From the fallacy files: (http://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html) The phrase "begs the question" has come to be used to mean "raises the question" or "suggests the question", as in "that begs the question" followed by the question supposedly begged. The following headlines are examples: * Warm Weather Begs the Question: To Water or Not to Water Yard Plants * Latest Internet Fracas Begs the Question: Who's Driving the Internet Bus? * Hot Holiday Begs Big Question: Can the Party Continue? This is a confusing usage which is apparently based upon a literal misreading of the phrase "begs the question". It should be avoided, and must be distinguished from its use to refer to the fallacy. To read what it really means, go here. http://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html You want one that (almost) nobody uses correctly? It’s “Begs the question.”

From the fallacy files: (http://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html)

The phrase “begs the question” has come to be used to mean “raises the question” or “suggests the question”, as in “that begs the question” followed by the question supposedly begged. The following headlines are examples:

*
Warm Weather Begs the Question:
To Water or Not to Water Yard Plants
*
Latest Internet Fracas Begs the Question:
Who’s Driving the Internet Bus?
*
Hot Holiday Begs Big Question:
Can the Party Continue?

This is a confusing usage which is apparently based upon a literal misreading of the phrase “begs the question”. It should be avoided, and must be distinguished from its use to refer to the fallacy.

To read what it really means, go here. http://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html

]]> By: Jason Swadley http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-3884 Jason Swadley Sun, 04 Nov 2007 01:45:50 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/#comment-3884 The "lame duck" reference was probably referencing the establishment of his "lame duck" term. Clinton's last stint from 96-2000 could arguably be called his lame duck term. It's expanding the normal usage, but probably still accurate... the reporter was just being provocative. :-) The “lame duck” reference was probably referencing the establishment of his “lame duck” term. Clinton’s last stint from 96-2000 could arguably be called his lame duck term. It’s expanding the normal usage, but probably still accurate… the reporter was just being provocative. :-)

]]> By: Benjamin http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-3874 Benjamin Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:17:48 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/#comment-3874 It has been a while since I saw Donnie Darko, but I wanted to add that the phrase deus ex machina is actually used in the film several times by Donnie during his investigations. I can't recall the exact context at this time, and I have not read the NPR reporter's comment that you quote first hand, but perhaps the phrase was being used more in the context of the film than by its technical definition. It has been a while since I saw Donnie Darko, but I wanted to add that the phrase deus ex machina is actually used in the film several times by Donnie during his investigations. I can’t recall the exact context at this time, and I have not read the NPR reporter’s comment that you quote first hand, but perhaps the phrase was being used more in the context of the film than by its technical definition.

]]> By: Ray http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/comment-page-1/#comment-3867 Ray Sat, 03 Nov 2007 16:16:11 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/gods-and-ducks-get-it-right/#comment-3867 It's probably also worth noting that the label of 'deus ex machina' is usually employed to indicate disdain. Critics (like many readers) do not like it when the writer resorts to what is regarded as a cop-out resolution, introducing a hitherto unsignalled external influence in order to resolve a plot that has lost its way. It’s probably also worth noting that the label of ‘deus ex machina’ is usually employed to indicate disdain. Critics (like many readers) do not like it when the writer resorts to what is regarded as a cop-out resolution, introducing a hitherto unsignalled external influence in order to resolve a plot that has lost its way.

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