Written language evolved from pictures to words, phrases, and sentences, and now it is governed by strict rules and conventions.

Understand why readers may be misled, confused, or deceived when you simplify causal relationships. 

Understand why readers may be misled, confused, or deceived when you overestimate the support of popular beliefs or public opinion.

Understand why readers may be misled, confused, or deceived when you ignore possible alternative outcomes concerning complex issues.

Understand why readers may be misled, confused, or deceived when you make a controversial or unjustified assumption that sounds accusatory or insulting.

Understand why readers may be misled, confused, or deceived when you introduce ambiguous words or phrases that differ in your argument's premise and conclusion.

Understand why you may be misled, confused, or deceived when you assume universal truths and make blanket statements based on your worldview.

Understand why readers may be misled, confused, or deceived when you discredit or attack a source because of its affiliation with a negatively viewed person or group.

Understand why readers may be misled, confused, or deceived when you write a definition that is more difficult to understand than the term or concept you are defining.

Understand why readers may be misled, confused, or deceived when you introduce expressions that conceal or misrepresent the reality of a situation.