4) Deletion. This category refers to sentences in which a major noun phrase is completely missing.
For example "I know you are curious."
The object of that sentence is missing completely. The listener does not know what he is supposedly curious about. Again, the listener can fill in the blanks with whatever is relevant in her experience,
B. Semantic Ill–formedness
1) Causal Modeling, or Linkage. Using words that imply a cause–effect relationship between something that is occuring and something the communicator wants to occur invites the listener to respond as if one thing did indeed "cause" the other. There are three kinds of linkage, with varying degrees of strength.
a) The weakest kind of linkage makes use of conjunctions to connect otherwise unrelated phenomena.
"You are listening to the sound of my voice, and you can begin to relax."
"You are breathing in and out and you are curious about what you might learn."
b) The second kind of linkage makes use of words like as, when, during, and while to connect statements by establishing a connection in time.
uAs you sit there smiling, you can begin to go into a trance." "While you sway back and forth, you can relax more completely."
c) The third and strongest kind of linkage uses words actually stating causality. Words such as makes, causes, forces, and requires can be used here.
"The nodding of your head will make you relax more completely."
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Notice that when using each kind of linkage, the communicator begins with something that is already occurring and connects to it something she wants to occur. The communicator will be most effective if she begins with the weakest form of linkage and gradually moves to a stronger form.
These forms of linkage work by implying or stating that what is occurring will cause something else to occur, and by making a gradual transition for the listener between what is occurring and some other experience. Chapters I and II of this book contain more detailed descriptions of the use of causal modeling.
2) Mind–Reading. Acting as if you know the internal experience of another person can be an effective tool to build the credibility of the hypnotist as long as the mind–reading makes use of generalized language patterns. If the mind–reading is too specific, the communicator runs the risk of saying something counter to the listener's experience, and thereby losing rapport.
"You may be wondering what I'll say next." "You're curious about hypnosis."
3) Lost Performative. Evaluative statements in which the person making the evaluation is missing (lost) from the sentence are called Lost Performatives. Statements using lost performatives can be an effective way of delivering presuppositions, as in the examples which follow.
"It's good that you can relax so easily."
"It's not important that you sink all the way down in your chair."
C. Limits of the Speaker's Model
This chunk of the Meta–Model is the least significant chunk as a part of the Milton–Model. Its two categories can be used to limit the listener's model in ways that produce trance as well as other outcomes.
1) Universal Quantifiers. Words such as all, every, always, never, nobody, etc., are universal quantifiers. These words usually indicate overgeneralization.
"And now you can go all the way into a trance."
"Every thought that you have can assist you in going deeper into a
trance."
2) Modal Operators. Modal operators are words such as should, must, have to, can't, won't, etc., that indicate lack of choice.
"Have you noticed that you can't open your eyes?"
II. Additional Milton–Model Patterns
In addition to the inverse Meta–Model patterns, the Milton–Model includes a number of other important language patterns. The most important of these is the use of presuppositions.
A. Presuppositions
The way to determine what is presupposed and not open to question in a sentence is to negate the sentence and find out what is still true. The simplest kind of presupposition is existence. In the sentence "Jack ate the food" it is presupposed that "Jack" and "food" exist. If you negate the sentence and say "No, Jack didn't eat the food" the fact that Jack and the food exist is still not questioned.
Presuppositions are the most powerful of the language patterns, when used by a communicator who presupposes what she doesn't want to have questioned. A general principle is to give the person lots of
want.
Examples of specific kinds of presuppositions that are particularly useful in hypnotic work follow. There is a complete list of presupposi–tional forms in the appendix to Patterns I.
1) Subordinate Clauses of Time. Such clauses begin with words
such as before, after, during, as, since, prior, when, while, etc.
"Do you want to sit down while you go into trance?" This directs the listener's attention to the question of sitting down or not, and presupposes that she will go into trance.
'I'd like to discuss something with you before you complete this project." This presupposes that you will complete this project.
2) Ordinal Numerals. Words such as another, first, second, third, etc. indicate order.
"You may wonder which side of your body will begin to relax first." This presupposes that both sides of your body will relax; the only question is which will be first.
3) Use of "Or." The word "or" can be used to presuppose that at least one of several alternatives will take place.
"I don't know if your right or your left hand will lift with unconscious movement." This presupposes that one of your hands will rise; the only question is if 1 know which one it will be.
"Would you rather brush your teeth before or after you take a bath?" This presupposes that you will take a bath and brush your teeth; the only question is in what order.
4) Awareness Predicates. Words like know, aware, realize, notice, etc. can be used to presuppose the rest of the sentence. The only question is if the listener is aware of whatever point you are making.
"Do you realize that your unconscious mind has already begun to learn… ."
"Did you know that you have already been in a trance many times in your life?"
"Have you noticed the attractive effect this painting has on your living room?"
5) Adverbs and Adjectives: Such words can be used to presuppose a major clause in a sentence
"Are you curious about your developing trance state?" This presupposes that you are developing a trance state; the only question is if you are curious about it or not.
"Are you deeply in a trance?" This presupposes that you are in a trance; the only question is if you are in deeply or not.
"How easily can you begin to relax?" This presupposes that you can relax; the only question is how easy it will be.
6) Change of Time verbs and Adverbs: Begin, end, stop, start, con
tinue, proceed, already, yet, still, anymore, etc.
"You can continue to relax." This presupposes that you are already relaxing.