english terms

Spin

A biased presentation of information to influence public perception, often by omitting details or using persuasive language.

Opinion Stated As Fact

When a subjective belief is presented as an objective truth, often without evidence or acknowledging alternative viewpoints.

Sensationalism

The use of exaggerated, shocking, or emotional content to attract attention, often at the expense of accuracy.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to seek out, interpret, and remember information that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.

Misinformation

False or misleading information that is spread, regardless of intent.

Disinformation

Deliberately false or misleading information spread to deceive others.

Malinformation

True information that is shared with harmful intent, such as leaking private data to damage a person’s reputation.

Satire

The use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock, often not meant to be taken as literal truth.

Imposter Content

False information that mimics a legitimate source, such as a fake news website or a fraudulent social media account.

False Context

When accurate information is presented in a misleading way, such as using an old photo to depict a current event.

Fabricated Content

Completely false information created with the intent to mislead, such as fake news articles or deepfake videos.

Manipulated Content

Genuine content that has been altered or edited in a misleading way, such as doctored images or videos.

Red Herring

A distraction or irrelevant point introduced to divert attention from the main issue.

Straw Man

Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack or refute.

Genetic Fallacy

Judging something as good or bad based on its source rather than its actual merits.

False Cause

Assuming that because one event follows another, the first event must have caused the second.

Appeals to Authority

Arguing that something must be true because an authority figure or expert says so, without examining the evidence.

Ad Hominem

Attacking a person’s character instead of addressing their argument.

Ad Populum (Bandwagon)

Arguing that something must be true or good because many people believe it or do it.

Fact Traps

Misleading or selectively chosen facts used to manipulate understanding, often by omitting context or framing information deceptively.