Persuasion Through Rhetoric

Flashcards covering vocabulary and definitions related to rhetoric and logical fallacies.

Rhetoric

The art of persuasion.

Rhetorical Force

Colors the argument with words having strong psychological impact.

Euphemism

A substitution of a term that normally carries negative or undesirable associations with an emotively neutral or positive expression.

Dysphemism

A substitution of a term that normally has neutral or positive associations with the emotively negative expression.

Weaselers

When inserted into a claim, help protect it from criticism by watering it down, weakening it, or making it too general or abstract to allow for verification.

Downplayer

An attempt to make someone or something look less important or less significant.

Stereotype

An unwarranted, hasty generalization about the entire group.

Innuendo

A remark or question, typically disparaging, that works obliquely by allusion.

Innuendo by a ‘provocative question’ method

A method beloved by mass media when there is an agenda to discredit someone or something without evidence, and is used in headlines.

Loaded (Complex) Question

Committed when a single question that is really two (or more) questions is asked, and a single answer is then applied to both questions.

Ridicule/Sarcasm

Includes telling an unrelated joke, using sarcastic language or simply laughing at a person who is trying to make a point.

Hyperbole

An extravagant overstatement.

Proof Surrogate

An expression used to suggest that there is evidence or authority for a claim without actually citing such evidence or authority.

Logical Fallacy

A defect in an argument that consists in something other than false premises alone.

Fallacy of Relevance

The premises of an argument only seem relevant to the conclusion, but, strictly speaking, have nothing to do with the truth or falsity of the claim supported.

Ad hominem

Occurs when replying to an argument, the person or the person’s character rather than the argument is attacked.

Poisoning the Well

Occurs when you attack the source of information (usually the person), by indirectly or implicitly questioning his or her sincerity, competence, or trustworthiness in advance.

Guilt by Association

Occurs when a speaker or writer tries to persuade us to dismiss a belief by telling us that someone we don’t like holds the same belief.

Inconsistency Ad Hominem

Committed when instead of addressing the issue the person points to the apparent inconsistency between the arguer’s conclusions and his own behavior.

Straw Man

Committed when an arguer distorts an opponent’s argument for the purpose of more easily attacking it, demolishes the distorted argument, and then concludes that the opponent’s real argument has been demolished.

False Dilemma

Committed when you limit considerations to only two alternatives although other alternatives may be available.

Misplacing the Burden of Proof Fallacy

A speaker presenting a controversial idea is responsible for providing support for the idea (proving it). If a speaker simply takes the truth of a controversial idea by default, and challenges those who disagree with him to prove him wrong, he commits a fallacy of Misplacing the Burden of Proof.

Begging the Question

Committed whenever the arguer assumes the conclusion, often restated in synonymous terms, as one of the premises, or intentionally leaves out a key premise.

Appeal to Pity

Occurs when an arguer attempts to support a conclusion by merely evoking pity from the reader or listener.

Appeal to Force or Appeal to Fear Fallacy

Uses an explicit or implicit threat of harm to advance one’s conclusion

Wishful Thinking Fallacy

Thinking X is true for no better reason than you really want it to be true.

‘Two Wrongs Make a Right’

Thinking wrongful behavior by someone else excuses or justifies wrongful behavior by you.