Polemic vs. Screed — What's the Difference?

Polemic () is contentious rhetoric intended to support a specific position by forthright claims and to undermine the opposing position. Polemics are thus seen in arguments on controversial topics.

Screed has three meanings in building construction: a flat board (screed board, floating screed) or a purpose-made aluminium tool used to smooth and to "true" materials like concrete, stucco and plaster after they have been placed on a surface or to assist in flattening; a strip of plaster or wood applied to a surface to act as a guide for a screed tool (screed rail, screed strip, screed batten); the material itself which has been flattened with a screed (screed coat). In the UK, screed has also come to describe a thin, top layer of material (sand and cement, magnesite or calcium sulphate), poured in situ on top of the structural concrete or insulation, on top of which other finishing materials can be applied, or the structural material can be left bare to achieve a raw effect.

A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something

A long monotonous speech or piece of writing.

Another term for polemical

A strip of wood, plaster, or metal placed on a wall or pavement as a guide for the even application of plaster or concrete.

A controversial argument, especially one refuting or attacking a specific opinion or doctrine.

A layer or strip of material used to level off a horizontal surface such as a floor.

A person engaged in or inclined to controversy, argument, or refutation.

A smooth final surface of a substance, such as concrete, applied to a floor.

Of or relating to a controversy, argument, or refutation.

A piece or narrow strip cut or torn off from a larger whole; a shred.

A person who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.

A piece of land, especially one that is narrow.

An argument or controversy.

A rent, a tear.

A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.

A piece of writing (such as an article, letter, or list) or a speech, especially if long.

Having the characteristics of a polemic.

(by extension) A speech or piece of writing which contains angry and extended criticism.

Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.

Chiefly in the plural form screeds: a large quantity.

Engaged in, or addicted to, polemics, or to controversy; disputations; as, a polemic writer.

Senses relating to building construction and masonry.

One who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics; a controversialist; a disputant.

A tool, usually a long strip of wood or other material, placed on a floor to be covered with concrete, a wall to be plastered, etc., as a guide for producing a smooth, flat surface.

A polemic argument or controversy.

A tool such as a long strip of wood or other material which is drawn over a wet layer of concrete, plaster, etc., to make it smooth and flat; also, a machine that achieves this effect; a screeder.

A writer who argues in opposition to others (especially in theology)

A smooth, flat layer of concrete, plaster, or similar material, especially if acting as a base for paving stones, tiles, wooden planks, etc.

A controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)

A (discordant) sound or tune played on bagpipes, a fiddle, or a pipe.

Of or involving dispute or controversy

The sound of something scratching or tearing.

To rend, to shred, to tear.

To read or repeat from memory fluently or glibly; to reel off.

To use a screed to produce a smooth, flat surface of concrete, plaster, or similar material; also (generally) to put down a layer of concrete, plaster, etc.

To become rent or torn.

To play bagpipes, a fiddle, or a pipe.

(intransitive) To make a discordant or harsh scratching or tearing sound.

To play (a sound or tune) on bagpipes, a fiddle, or a pipe.

Strewn with scree.

A strip of plaster of the thickness proposed for the coat, applied to the wall at intervals of four or five feet, as a guide.

A fragment; a portion; a shred.

A breach or rent; a breaking forth into a loud, shrill sound; as, martial screeds.

An harangue; a long tirade on any subject.

A long monotonous harangue

A long piece of writing

An accurately levelled strip of material placed on a wall or floor as guide for the even application of plaster or concrete