atw: Opinions stated as facts

Recent discussion on the list seems to have been more inflammatory than it needed to be because of a problem called *Fact-Opinion Confusion* (aka Opinions Stated as Facts).
In my teaching area (written AND non-written communication), this is recognised as one of the causes of 'pseudo-conflict'. 

Good news is that it's easily remedied by two techniques:
1 carefully labelling opinions as opinions (eg 'IMHO', or 'my view on this is...') 
AND
2       appropriate use of modifying words to prevent over-generalising.
As a newish lurker on this list, I've been a bit surprised at the lack of these in some posts. However, I probably shouldn't be, as some aspects of Aussie culture promote the problem (think pub culture, my team's better than yours etc). Alas, in real life, this can lead to actual violence. 

That's why I think it's worth naming the problem (and the solutions).

ros
__

Ros Byrne
WORDS THAT WORK
Training & Coaching in Workplace Communication

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