Quiz 4 Flashcards
(13 cards)
What are rhetorical tricks?
attempts to persuade by triggering emotions and using tricky wording that do not include arguments
What are fallacies?
they provide arguments but contain weak/flawed logic; more respected
What is a euphemism?
referring to the same thing but changing words in order to get others to feel more positive (changing neutral/negative words into positive)
What is this an example of: car dealerships changing the term “used car” into “certified used car” in order to promote selling
euphemism
What is dysphemism?
rebrands words in a more negative way in order to make others feel more negative towards something.
what is this an example of: changing the name of the inheritance tax to the death tax in order to get the public to disagree with it
dysphemism
What is a weaseler?
attempting to persuade by including qualifying language in a claim that both (a) seems to make the claim more attractive (misleading way) and gives the author of the claim a “line of retreat” (a way to weasel out of responsibility) if the claim is challenged
what is this an example of: Geico’s claim “could save 15% or more on car insurance” and not living up to that claim and not taking the responsibility
weaseler
what are common weaseling words
- up to
- might
-could - some
- on average
- typically
- possible
- perhaps
- maybe
T/F not all weaseling words indicate a weaseler it depends on context
true
What’s a downplayer?
attempting to persuade others that someone or something shouldn’t be taken seriously, not by providing reasons, but by using downgrading words and gestures
whats this an example of: “oh he’s just an_
“ that so-called” “air-quotes”
downplayer
What’s an innuendo?
an attempt to persuade by using language that implies, but doesn’t explicitly state, that very true thing you want people to think must be true
