weasel phrases

(noun)

Phrases that often precede statements and that lack substantive quality.

Examples of weasel phrases in the following topics:

  • Choosing Appropriate Words

    • Consider the style, tone, and sections of your speech to determine the most appropriate words and phrases.
    • Weasel phrases are those that make a lot of promise but do not follow through on the delivery.
    • These trigger phrases often precede statements that lack much substantive quality.
    • Here is a list of common weasel phrases:

  • Melodic Phrases

    • A musical phrase is actually a lot like a grammatical phrase.
    • How do you spot a phrase in a melody?
    • In vocal music, the musical phrases tend to follow the phrases and sentences of the text.
    • Often, phrases come in definite pairs, with the first phrase feeling very unfinished until it is completed by the second phrase, as if the second phrase were answering a question asked by the first phrase.
    • When phrases come in pairs like this, the first phrase is called the antecedent phrase, and the second is called the consequent phrase.

  • Five-Part Rondo

    • Hybrid 1 combines the antecedent phrase (typically associated with the period) with the continuation phrase (typically associated with the sentence).
    • On the large scale, the antecedent phrase functions like a big presentation function zone (like the presentation phrase does).
    • Hybrid 2 similarly begins with an antecedent phrase, but follows with a four-bar-long cadential progression.
    • Hybrid 3 is almost identical to Hybrid 1, with the exception that the first phrase does not end with a cadence.
    • Hybrid 4 is almost identical to a period, with the exception that the first phrase does not end with a cadence.

  • Compound Themes

    • The first step in a harmonic analysis is to identify phrases.
    • Next identify the general harmonic structure of each phrase.
    • Typical phrases in classical music will do one of the following:
    • If the phrase prolongs tonic, the entire phrase should be placed within parentheses or curly brackets.
    • Half-cadence phrases end there.Authentic-cadence phrases continue on to a final tonic zone (usually a singe chord).

  • Harmonic Syntax: The Idealized Phrase

    • Some such phrases even exist in real music!
    • However, the idealized phrase is a helpful starting point.
    • The idealized phrase (also called the phrase model) is a single musical phrase that progresses through an entire cycle of harmonic functions, beginning and ending on tonic.
    • (Strict voice-leading exercises are such phrases.)
    • can serve as the basis for a complete idealized phrase.

  • Sonata Form: The Recapitulation

    • The first of these is called the presentation phrase and the second is the continuation phrase.
    • Hence, the name "presentation phrase. "
    • Continuation phrases begin with continuation function.
    • Note the length of the phrases in this example: four-bar presentation phrase followed by six-bar continuation phrase.
    • Also, as exemplified by this theme, continuation phrases of non-standard lengths are more common than presentation phrases of non-standard lengths.

  • Themes

    • Themes generally are at least one phrase long and often have several phrases.
    • These themes are often complete melodies with many phrases, but a single phrase can be taken from the melody and used as a motif.
    • A single phrase of Ben Kenobi's Theme, for example, can remind you of all the good things he stands for, even if he is not on the movie screen at the time.
    • If you would like to introduce some of these concepts and terms to children, please see A Melody Activity, The Shape of a Melody, Melodic Phrases, and Theme and Motif in Music.

  • Avoiding Repetitiveness

    • Although repeating key terms and phrases brings continuity to your writing, you must avoid being overly repetitive.
    • Repeating key terms and phrases brings continuity to your writing.
    • Avoid starting sentences with the same words or phrases.
    • If you choose to repeat a key phrase, try to alter the structure of rest of the sentence in order to provide some variety.
    • Repeat key terms and phrases for continuity in your writing, but avoid becoming repetitive

  • Liquid Media

    • The head of the brush can be made from the hair (or feathers) of a wide variety of animals, including the weasel, rabbit, deer, chicken, duck, goat, pig, tiger, etc.

  • Adjectives

    • Examples include phrases such as "that novel," "this writer," or "those students."
    • The phrase a heavy-metal detector refers to a detector of heavy metals.
    • The phrase man eating shark refers to a man who is eating a shark.
    • The phrase man-eating shark refers to a shark that eats men.
    • Lastly, in addition to single words, you can use adjectival phrases.