Wednesday, June 22, 2011

What is the difference between "Abstract statements" and "concrete image-bearing statements"?

I am interpreting your question a bit differently from the previous responder because I do not think you are asking about an "abstract," which is a brief synopsis of an entire document. Your inquiry seems, rather, to be based upon a contrast between statements that have an abstract or concrete nature. 


An abstract statement does not elicit any sensory participation on the part of the reader or listener.  It is about an idea, not about something one can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. For example, I might say, "Constitutional democracy might be the most successful form of government in today's world."  There is nothing about that statement that you can use your senses to understand. 


On the other hand, I might say, "The emaciated young man, dressed in coarse, ragged clothing, reeked of alcohol as he approached me and asked me, in a strained and hoarse voice, to please give him a dollar." When you read or hear that statement, you can use most of your senses to imagine this person.


Both kinds of writing are important, but which you use depends upon your purpose in writing and upon your audience.  Much writing will contain both kinds of statements. You always need to be aware, though, that abstract statements must be supported with evidence, or they are of no use to anyone. 

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