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Critical ThinkingLecture 4Rhetoric
By David Kelsey
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Rhetoric
• Rhetoric:– Linguistic devices which are used to
…
• Rhetorical devices are called slanters
– Positive and negative slants
– Grandmother example
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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
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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
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Rhetorical Explanations
• A Rhetorical Explanation smuggles in prejudice of one sort or another with the aim of influencing attitudes or behavior.
The Boxer example
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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
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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
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Stereotypes
• A stereotype is a thought or image about a group of people based on little or no evidence.
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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.
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Innuendo
• Innuendo: uttering a sentence or phrase with the intention of communicating what is implied by what one utters.
– Suggestion
– Examples
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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
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Loaded Questions
• A loaded question is a question that implies an unjustified claim.
• Examples:– “Have you stopped beating her?”– Police officer
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Hyperbole
• Hyperbole is extravagant overstatement.
• Some examples:– Hang nail– …
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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!