Critical ThinkingLecture 4Rhetoric

By David Kelsey

Rhetoric

• Rhetoric:– Linguistic devices which are used to

…

• Rhetorical devices are called slanters

– Positive and negative slants

– Grandmother example

Rhetorical force and Logical force

• The Logical Force of a phrase or sentence is the power of that phrase or sentence to __________________

• The rhetorical force of a phrase or sentence is the power of that phrase or sentence to __________________

• Al Gore example

Rhetorical comparisons and definitions

• A rhetorical comparison is a comparison used to express or influence attitudes.

– Short example

• A Rhetorical definition: smuggles prejudice of one sort or another into the meaning of a term.

– Abortion example

Rhetorical Explanations

• A Rhetorical Explanation smuggles in prejudice of one sort or another with the aim of influencing attitudes or behavior.

The Boxer example

Euphemisms

• A Euphemism is a neutral or positive expression as opposed to one that carries negative associations.

• Deception:

– Examples:

• Used cars

• Assassination attempts

• Freedom fighters

• Passing away

Dysphemisms

• A Dysphemism: – a negative expression as opposed to one that carries positive or neutral

associations with it.

– Deception:

• Examples:– The freedom fighter again– Ax example

Stereotypes

• A stereotype is a thought or image about a group of people based on little or no evidence.

Stereotypes #2

• Denigrate: – Most stereotypes denigrate a group of individuals, for example:

– Examples:• Men, Women and Southerners

• Dysphemisms as well as stereotypes

• Favorable impressions: – Examples:

• Older men and Brazilians

• These are examples of Euphemisms as well.

Innuendo

• Innuendo: uttering a sentence or phrase with the intention of communicating what is implied by what one utters.

– Suggestion

– Examples

Innuendo #2

• Innuendo – insinuating something

negative about something or someone without actually saying it.

– WC Fields example

• And we can use innuendo to condemn someone with faint praise

– Competent in many regards– On time this time

Loaded Questions

• A loaded question is a question that implies an unjustified claim.

• Examples:– “Have you stopped beating her?”– Police officer

Weaslers

• A weasler is a word or phrase, which, when inserted into a claim, helps protect it from criticism by watering it down or by weakening it.

– A way out

– Weasling words include:

– Using a weasler to create innuendo

Weaslers #2

• An example of a Weasler: “Three out of four dentists surveyed recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum”.

– This claim contains two Weasling expressions. • 1.

• 2.

– A trivial recommendation

Downplayers

• Downplayers are words or phrases used to make someone or something look less important or significant.

• Examples:– So-called– Mere or merely– Quotation marks

Horse Laugh

• A Horse laugh (i.e. ridicule) is a word or phrase used to get a laugh at the expense of someone or something.

– A horse laugh is no objection:

– Examples:• Unrelated jokes

• Laughing at someone or something

• Making fun

Hyperbole

• Hyperbole is extravagant overstatement.

• Some examples:– Hang nail– …

Proof surrogates

• A proof surrogate:– a phrase or expression used to suggest that there is evidence or authority

for a claim without actually citing the evidence or authority.

• Examples:– Informed sources say– Studies show

– Just use citations!