Quiz 4 Flashcards
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
