Rhetorical Devices and Logical Fallacies Explained

Slanters

Rhetorical devices that use emotionally charged language to influence an audience's perception without presenting a logical argument.

Euphemism

A mild or less negative term used to soften the impact of something unpleasant.

Dysphemism

A harsh or more negative term used to intensify the impact of something.

Rhetorical Analogy

A comparison designed to evoke an emotional response rather than provide a logical argument.

Rhetorical Definition

Defining a term in a way that conveys a biased attitude.

Rhetorical Explanation

Explaining an event or situation in a way that conveys a biased attitude.

Innuendo

An indirect or subtle observation that implies something negative.

Loaded Question

A question that contains a controversial or unjustified assumption.

Ridicule/Sarcasm

Mocking language intended to belittle or criticize.

Hyperbole

Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally.

Downplayers

Words or phrases used to make something seem less important.

Truth Surrogates

Hints that something is true without providing evidence.

Weaseler

Words or phrases that weaken a statement, making it less definitive.

Logical Fallacies

Flaws in reasoning that weaken arguments.

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself.

Straw Man

Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack.

False Dilemma (Either/Or)

Presenting two options as the only possibilities when others exist.

Red Herring

Introducing irrelevant information to distract from the actual issue.

Slippery Slope

Arguing that a small first step will inevitably lead to a chain of related (negative) events.

Ad Populum (Bandwagon)

Arguing that something is true or right because many people believe it.

Ad Misericordiam (Appeal to Pity)

Using pity to persuade rather than logical reasons.

Ad Baculum (Appeal to Fear)

Using threats or fear to persuade.

Begging the Question

Assuming the conclusion in the premises; circular reasoning.

Hasty Generalization

Making a broad claim based on limited evidence.

Post Hoc (False Cause)

Assuming that because one event followed another, it was caused by it.

Genetic Fallacy

Judging something as good or bad based on its origin.

Appeal to Authority

Believing a claim is true because an authority figure endorses it, without evaluating the evidence.

Appeal to Tradition

Arguing that something is true or right because it has always been done that way.