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Rhetoric

This document defines and provides examples of various rhetorical devices including euphemisms, dysphemisms, downplayers, hyperbole, loaded questions, innuendo, ridicule, straw man arguments, and proof surrogates. Euphemisms substitute less offensive terms for potentially offensive or inappropriate words. Dysphemisms use harsher language intended to shock. Downplayers minimize issues. Hyperbole exaggerates for effect. Loaded questions and innuendo imply malicious assumptions. Ridicule uses contemptuous language. Straw man arguments misrepresent opposing views. Proof surrogates suggest evidence without providing it.

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Dian Valerie
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31 views

Rhetoric

This document defines and provides examples of various rhetorical devices including euphemisms, dysphemisms, downplayers, hyperbole, loaded questions, innuendo, ridicule, straw man arguments, and proof surrogates. Euphemisms substitute less offensive terms for potentially offensive or inappropriate words. Dysphemisms use harsher language intended to shock. Downplayers minimize issues. Hyperbole exaggerates for effect. Loaded questions and innuendo imply malicious assumptions. Ridicule uses contemptuous language. Straw man arguments misrepresent opposing views. Proof surrogates suggest evidence without providing it.

Uploaded by

Dian Valerie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RHETORIC DEVICE

Arguments based on Rhetoric


A rhetorical device is
any language that
helps an author or
speaker achieve a
particular purpose.
EUPHEMISM
-is an appropriate expression used in
the place of a phrase or words that may
be found inappropriate or offensive.
Example:
1. We have to let you go, Tyler.
2. She’s a curvy woman.
3. Jimmy was sent to a correctional facility.
Other Examples…
in every day conversation
1. She’s not sick; she’s “under the weather.”
2. He’s not a liar; he’s “creative with the
truth.”
3. They’re not in a sexual relationship;
they’re “friends with benefits.”
4. He’s not poor; he’s “economically
disadvantaged.”
5. She didn’t break up with him; she “needed
some space.”
Other Examples…
Work related

1. He’s not unemployed; he’s “between jobs.”


2. She didn’t get fired; she “chose to resign.”
3. You’re not unable to find a job; you’re just
“considering your options.”
4. She’s not in a job that’s below her career
level; she’s just “under-employed.”
5. He wasn’t fired; his company is
“downsizing.”
Other Examples…
Death & dying
1. She’s not deceased; she’s the “dearly
departed.”
2. They didn’t die; they “bought the farm.”
3. She’s not deceased; she “kicked the
bucket.”
4. The family dog didn’t die; they went “over
the rainbow bridge.”
5. He’s not deceased; he’s “sleeping with
the fishes.”
1. You’re not old; you’re “over the hill.”
2. She’s not pregnant; she “has a bun in the oven.”
3. It’s not a strip club; it’s a “gentleman’s club.”
4. It’s not an annoying telemarketer calling; it’s a
“courtesy call.”
5. The item isn’t stolen; it just “fell off the back of a
truck.”
6. It’s not a tiny cramped apartment; it’s “cozy.”
7. It’s not pornography; it’s “adult entertainment.”
8. They didn’t get a divorce; they “consciously
uncoupled.”
9. It’s not a lie; it’s an “alternate fact.”
10. It’s not torture; it’s “enhanced interrogation.”
DYSPHEMISM
-is the use of a harsh,
more offensive word
instead of one considered
less harsh and generally
used to shock or offend.
Examples:
• Snail mail for postal mail,
• Cancer stick or death stick in
reference to a cigarette.
• Egghead for genius.
• Worm food for dead.
• Pig for a policeman.
• Bullshit for lies.
do-gooder - for someone very focused on helping the
poor or social causes
cheater - for someone who is unfaithful to a partner
crackhead - for one who uses certain types of illegal
drugs
fag - for a male who is homosexual
geezer - for an older person
gold digger - for someone who seeks out wealthy
dating or marriage partners
illegal - for someone seeking asylum in a place other
than the country of which they are a citizen
lezzo or lesbo - for someone who is a lesbian
narc - for someone who tells the truth
pill-billy - for someone who is addicted to
opioids
tub of lard - for an overweight person
two-faced - for someone who is nice to
people but says ugly things about them to
other people
two-timer - for someone who cheats on a
romantic partner
DOWNPLAYER
-is a comment given in order to try to
belittle a situation or minimize an issue.
Example:
1. It is true that the mayor stole money from
the city’s coffers, but all mayors did so
anyway.
2. Climate change is just an idea started by
the environmentalist.
Examples:

3. The so-called school is not recognized


by the Department of Education.

4. The “doctor” was unable to diagnosed


the patient’s illness correctly.
HYPERBOLE
-an extreme kind of exaggeration in
order to produce dramatic effect
Example:
1. It took forever to find you.
2. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
3. He’s as skinny as a toothpick.
4. It’s so hot you could fry an egg on the
sidewalk.
5. I can’t live without you.
LOADED QUESTION
-a question that contains malicious
assumption
Example:
1. Are you still plagiarizing the work of others?
2. Have you stopped beating your wife?
3. Where did you hide the jewels that you
stole?
INNUENDO
-implies something malicious, usually
about a person
Example:
1. The captain is eating with his real wife.
2. I wonder why that beautiful woman got
promoted so many times.
3. Mark’s been spending a lot of time with
Allison, if you know what I mean
4.I’ve found a way to get some “extra help”
on the test.
RIDICULE
-speech or action intended to cause
contemptuous laughter at a person or thing;
derision.
Example:
1. Of course, we should all wear seatbelts,
and we should wear diapers and drink from
bottles, too!
2. Donald Trump wants to build a wall
between here and Mexico. Maybe we should
call it the Great Wall of Hatred.
Examples:
3. You shouldn't drink Starbucks coffee-it
makes you look elitist.
4. Here’s another laughable idea I came
across: the supple of fresh water on earth
will soon run out.
5. Viruses can control the thinking of
higher organisms. You’re kidding, right?
STRAW MAN
- Misrepresenting someone's argument to
make it easier to attack.
Example:
• Opposing argument: Teens should be taught
about contraception methods so they can
practice safe sex should they choose to have
intercourse.
• Straw man argument: Proponents of sex
education want to give kids license to have sex
with no consequences.
Opposing argument: Bicycle
infrastructure should be expanded
because cycling is a sustainable mode
of transportation.

Straw man argument: We should not


build bike lanes because cyclists run red
lights and endanger pedestrians.
PROOF SURROGATE

- is an expression that
suggests there is evidence
to support one's claim without
actually providing any
evidence to support it
Example:
Sandra: “We have evidence, scientific evidence
for evolution [meaning the Big-Bang-Billions-of-
Years-Molecules-to-Man story] I believe in
evolution because of science and reason.”
Roxanne: “You really think you have evidence
that all of that happened?"
Sandra: “Absolutely. We have the rock layers,
the fossils, the distant starlight, thousands of
transitional forms, the genetic evidence, and I
could go on and on.”
but Sandra doesn't have any "physical evidence on
hand" when she's saying these lines

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