Rhetorical Devices Flashcards
argument from outrage
arguments are reduced to shouting matches where opponents compete for the loudest volume and sharpest insults
ad hominem
disputing a position or argument by criticizing it’s source
bandwagon
The idea that everyone is doing this, or everyone supports this person/cause so you should too
begging the question
argument in which the conclusion merrily restate a point made in the premises
card stacking
to tell half the story or only use facts that support a position; use faulty logic
ethos
type of rhetorical appeal that refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker
euphemism
A neutral or positive expression instead of one that carries a negative association
false dilemma
A writer/speaker limits considerations to only two alternatives, even though other alternatives may be available
glittering generalities
The use of “loaded words” that carry extreme positive or negative connotations
Group think
allowing the loyalty to one’s group to cloud one’s judgment
hasty generalization
having more confidence in a conclusion then you should, based on a small sample
loaded question
A question that rests on one or more unwarranted or unjustified assumptions
logos
type of rhetorical appeal that refers to persuading by the use of reasoning
pathos
type of rhetorical appeal that refers to persuading by appealing to the readers emotions
plain folks
The candidate or cause is identified with the common people from every day walks of life
post hoc, ergo propter hoc
faulty cause and effect-just because two things happened around the same time doesn’t mean that one cause the other
Red Herring
your relevant topic or consideration introduced into a discussion to Dibert attention away from the original issue
Rhetorical definition
use of emotively charged language to explain or to define something
scare tactic/fear
try to prove a point by scaring the reader or listener
slippery slope
reasoning in which it is assumed that some event must inevitably follow from some other but in which no argument is made for the inevitability (exaggerating the possible future consequence of an action)
stereotype
a thought or image about a group of people based on little or no evidence
Strawman
writer/speaker distorts, exaggerates, or misrepresent an opponent’s position in order to more easily attack it
testimonial
celebrity endorsement of a philosophy, movement, or candidate
transfer
attempt to persuade through the indirect use of something we respect, such as a patriotic or religious image
wishful thinking
A refusal to acknowledge the truth, also called ostrich fallacy
