1. Critical Thinking Lecture 4 Rhetoric
By David Kelsey

2. Rhetoric Rhetoric: Rhetorical devices are called slanters
Linguistic devices which are used to …
Rhetorical devices are called slanters
Positive and negative slants
Grandmother example

3. 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

4. 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

5. Rhetorical Explanations
A Rhetorical Explanation smuggles in prejudice of one sort or another with the aim of influencing attitudes or behavior.
The Boxer example

6. 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

7. Dysphemisms A Dysphemism: Deception: Examples:
a negative expression as opposed to one that carries positive or neutral associations with it.
Deception:
Examples:
The freedom fighter again
Ax example

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

9. Stereotypes #2 Denigrate: Examples: Favorable impressions:
Most stereotypes denigrate a group of individuals, for example:
Examples:
Favorable impressions:

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

11. 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

12. Loaded Questions
A loaded question is a question that implies an unjustified claim.
Examples:
“Have you stopped beating her?”
Police officer

13. 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

14. 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

15. Downplayers
Downplayers are words or phrases used to make someone or something look less important or significant.
Examples:

16. 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

17. Hyperbole Some examples: Hyperbole is extravagant overstatement.
Hang nail …

18. Proof surrogates A proof surrogate: Examples:
a phrase or expression used to suggest that there is evidence or authority for a claim without actually citing the evidence or authority.
Examples: