Persuasion Through Rhetoric

1. Persuasion Through Rhetoric Words, Phrases, and Simple Assertions

2. A psychological point about rhetoric and suggestion... It’s a fact that even fleeting impressions may have measurable influence on behavior.

3. A psychological point about rhetoric and suggestion... It’s a fact that even fleeting impressions may have measurable influence on behavior. The operation of such influences may occur below the threshold of consciousness.

4. A psychological point about rhetoric and suggestion... It’s a fact that even fleeting impressions may have measurable influence on behavior. The operation of such influences may occur below the threshold of consciousness. The positive and negative impressions made by use of rhetorical devices, while they may sometimes seem trivial, can have powerful and long-lasting effects.

5. A psychological point about rhetoric and suggestion... It’s a fact that even fleeting impressions may have measurable influence on behavior. The operation of such influences may occur below the threshold of consciousness. The positive and negative impressions made by use of rhetorical devices, while they may sometimes seem trivial, can have powerful and long-lasting effects. Critical thinking addresses influence of rhetoric in two ways: (1) helps identify attempts at non-argumentative persuasion (2) helps check “spontaneous” beliefs and impulses

6. Euphemisms and Dysphemisms • Words or phrases that are substituted for other words or phrases to put what is being discussed in a more positive or negative light

7. Euphemisms and Dysphemisms • Words or phrases that are substituted for other words or phrases to put what is being discussed in a more positive or negative light Euphemism: “Used cars” become “pre-owned vehicles”. Dysphemism: “Music” becomes “noise”.

8. Euphemisms and Dysphemisms • Words or phrases that are substituted for other words or phrases to put what is being discussed in a more positive or negative light Euphemism: “Used cars” become “pre-owned vehicles”. Dysphemism: “Music” becomes “noise”. Note: Reports and descriptions may convey pleasant or unpleasant information without being euphemistic or dysphemistic. It’s the quality of the language that matters.

9. Rhetorical Comparisons, Definitions, and Explanations • Ways of speaking that depart positively or negatively from a fair or neutral position • Problems of content, not of form

10. Rhetorical Comparisons, Definitions, and Explanations • Ways of speaking that depart positively or negatively from a fair or neutral position • Problems of content, not of form Comparison: The American revolutionaries used tactics similar to those employed by the Viet Cong.

11. Rhetorical Comparisons, Definitions, and Explanations • Ways of speaking that depart positively or negatively from a fair or neutral position • Problems of content, not of form Comparison: The American revolutionaries used tactics similar to those employed by the Viet Cong. Definition: religion - the opiate of the people

12. Rhetorical Comparisons, Definitions, and Explanations • Ways of speaking that depart positively or negatively from a fair or neutral position • Problems of content, not of form Comparison: The American revolutionaries used tactics similar to those employed by the Viet Cong. Definition: religion - the opiate of the people Explanation: Franklin stayed in France throughout the revolution because he was a celebrity there.

13. Stereotype • May function as an unexamined assumption behind a premise (easily results in fallacy of begging the question) or explanatory claim (especially, as circular reasoning) Begging the Question: An argument begs the question if one of its claims is no more plausible than its conclusion. Circular Reasoning: Explaining why the claim is true by restating the claim in other words.

14. Stereotype • May function as an unexamined assumption behind a premise (easily results in fallacy of begging the question) or explanatory claim (especially, as circular reasoning) • When directly expressed, takes the form of a generalization

15. Stereotype • May function as an unexamined assumption behind a premise (easily results in fallacy of begging the question) or explanatory claim (especially, as circular reasoning) • When directly expressed, takes the form of a generalization • As expectation, may cause an observer to ignore conflicting phenomena or supply consistent details that never occurred

16. Innuendo • A suggestion that is made indirectly • Creates a negative impression (using indirect language to create a positive impression is usually better classed as understatement) • May be constructed by association with something negative or by faint praise Example: Prof. X? Is he the one who admitted that his emotions influence his grading? (When speaker knows Prof. X didn’t.) Example: Student Y? Yes, I remember her. She satisfied the minimum requirements of the course.

17. Loaded Question • Often a yes-no question or a false dilemma, but could occur with any question form • Answering directly requires accepting or presuming a questionable, hostile, or unjustified assumption • May function similarly to innuendo This is a Concealed Claim

18. Loaded Question • Often a yes-no question or a false dilemma, but could occur with any question form • Answering directly requires accepting or presuming a questionable, hostile, or unjustified assumption • May function similarly to innuendo Example: Are you still abusing illegal drugs? Example: Should we vote for the Democrat or the Republican in this election? Example: What were you thinking when you attempted to steal that CD?

19. Downplayer • A word, phrase, or punctuation that subtly diminishes a concept or weakens a claim

20. Downplayer • A word, phrase, or punctuation that subtly diminishes a concept or weakens a claim Example: Today’s “patriots” are just looking for a way to make a quick buck in Iraq.

21. Downplayer • A word, phrase, or punctuation that subtly diminishes a concept or weakens a claim Example: Today’s “patriots” are just looking for a way to make a quick buck in Iraq. Example: I understand your wages are low, but it’s normal for some full-time workers in any modern society to be below the poverty line. (Notice how the individual’s particular situation is effectively submerged.)

22. Downplayer • A word, phrase, or punctuation that subtly diminishes a concept or weakens a claim • May overlap with weaseler Example: Today’s “patriots” are just looking for a way to make a quick buck in Iraq. Example: I understand your wages are low, but it’s normal for some full-time workers in any modern society to be below the poverty line. (Notice how the individual’s particular situation is effectively submerged.) Example: Interest rates are at their the lowest point in years, though only customers with excellent credit will qualify.

23. Horse Laugh/Ridicule/Sarcasm • An attempt to weaken a claim or undermine credibility by making an idea or person appear ridiculous

24. Horse LaughRidicule/Sarcasm • An attempt to weaken a claim or undermine credibility by making an idea or person appear ridiculous • May make use of other devices, e.g., hyperbole, slippery slope Slipper Slope: An argument that uses a chain of claims with at least one that is false or dubious.

25. Horse Laugh/Ridicule/Sarcasm • An attempt to weaken a claim or undermine credibility by making an idea or person appear ridiculous • May make use of other devices, e.g., hyperbole, slippery slope Example: One thing I can say for Schwarzenegger, I bet he’s not a complainer. So now we won’t have to listen to a lot of complaining from the governor’s office while Bush’s friends are looting California.

26. Horse Laugh/Ridicule/Sarcasm • An attempt to weaken a claim or undermine credibility by making an idea or person appear ridiculous • May make use of other devices, e.g., hyperbole, slippery slope Example: One thing I can say for Schwarzenegger, I bet he’s not a complainer. So now we won’t have to listen to a lot of complaining from the governor’s office while Bush’s friends are looting California. Example: You don’t like how the PATRIOT Act expands police powers? How about the next time you need help, try calling a hippie.

27. Hyperbole • Use of exaggeration to make an impression of greater importance or deviation from expectations

28. Hyperbole • Use of exaggeration to make an impression of greater importance or deviation from expectations • May show up in other devices, e.g., ridicule, slippery slope, straw man, poisoning the well Staw Man: Refuting an argument by putting words in your opponent’s mouth. Poisoning the Well: Adverse information about the one who is arguing is presented to discredit the argument.

29. Hyperbole • Use of exaggeration to make an impression of greater importance or deviation from expectations • May show up in other devices, e.g., ridicule, slippery slope, straw man, poisoning the well Example: What I need is a vehicle that can go anywhere.

30. Hyperbole • Use of exaggeration to make an impression of greater importance or deviation from expectations • May show up in other devices, e.g., ridicule, slippery slope, straw man, poisoning the well Example: What I need is a vehicle that can go anywhere. Example: “While this framework does a good job of catering to environmental extremists, it falls alarmingly short of addressing the rising threat of wildfires facing our forests.” (Rep. Wally Herger, on the Sierra Nevada Framework, 11/03)