Running Notes 91-100 Flashcards
This technique is used to convince the audience by using selected information and not presenting the complete story. Ex: “ A study was done that showed eating peanut butter causes liver cancer” (the fact that later the study was later shown to be flawed or funded by the peanut butter haters and therefor suspect, is not revealed). A variation would be “Raising the speed limit to 65 MPH resulted in many fewer traffic fatalities”. Such statements need to be checked with how many people were driving before and after the change in speed limit. Fewer people may be driving after the speed limit change, even though the fatality rates (deaths per 100,000) may be higher, leading to the overall result of fewer fatalities.
Propaganda: Distortion of Data or Out of Context or Card Stacking or Cherry Picking
When some respected celebrity (or alternatively someone generally hated) claims that an idea or product is good (or bad). This technique is used to convince us without examining the facts more carefully.
Propaganda- Testimonial
This is often used with Guilt-by-associated to deflect scrutiny away from the issues. It transfers blame to one person or group of people without investigating the complexities of the issue. Ex: “George W. Bush got us into Iraq”, “President Reagan caused the national debt”.
Propoganda: Scapegoat
This is when someone tries to claim there are only two sides to an issue and that both sides must have equal presentation in order to be evaluated. This technique is used to dupe us into believing there is only one way to look at an issue, when in fact there may be many alternative viewpoints or “sides”. Like most propaganda techniques it simplifies reality and therefor distorts it, often to the advantage of the speaker. A classic example is the “intelligent design” verses “evolution” controversy.
Propaganda: Artificial Dichotomy
This is when an idea is made to appear holy, sacred, or very special and therefore above all law. Any alternative or opposite points of view are thereby given the appearance of treason or blasphemy. Ex: “God-given right to…”, “Mother Earth”, “Gia”.
Propaganda Deification
Develops a comparison which is exceedingly unlikely but is, nonetheless intellectually imaginative. A comparison turns into a conceit when the writer tries to make us admit a similarity between two things of whose unlikeness we are strongly conscious and for this reason, conceits are often surprising. Ex: “Two lovers with the two legs of a draftsman’s compass” and “My life is like a free online game, people seem to be playing with it.”
Conceit
If somebody gives an argument to support his position, it is called making a claim. Different reasons are usually presented to prove why a certain point should be accepted as logical.
Claim
An emotional discharge through which one can achieve a state of moral or spiritual renewal or achieve a state of liberation from anxiety and stress. Catharsis is a Greek word and it means cleansing. In literature, it is used for the cleansing of emotions of the characters. It can also be any other radical change that leads to emotional rejuvenation of a person.
Catharsis
Refers to an expression that has been overused to the extent that it loses its original meaning or novelty. A cliche may also refer to actions and events which are predictable because of some previous events.
Cliche
A literary device used in argumentative writing where one acknowledges a point made by one’s opponent. It allows for different opinions and approaches toward an issue, indicating an understanding of what causes the actual debate or controversy. It demonstrates that the writer is a mature thinker and has considered the issue from all angles.
Concession
