Logic and Critical Thinking

Misleading Uses of Language

I.SlantersII.Word ChoicesIII.Fine PrintIV.Evasions

4 Categories of Misleading Uses of Language that create “spin” on a message:

Language that conceals dubious claims.

Replacing words or phrases for emotional affect.

Qualifying claims in significant ways.

Distancing oneself from the negative.

PERSUASIVE DEFINITIONA slanter involving a definition. It attempts to win the argument by defining the terms.

I. Slanters

Example:Pro-Life: “Abortion is the murder of unborn children.”

LOADED QUESTIONA slanter involving a question.

It sets someone up so that no matter how it’s answered, they’re wrong, or guilty.

Teacher to Student who didn’t do well: “Why didn’t you try on this test?”

The only way out of a loaded question is to challenge the question itself.

PROOF SUBSTITUTEA slanter that implies there is proof when there is none.

“Believe me, …”“Sources say…”“Studies show…”

Nick Saban angrily said that reporters should believe him when he says that he’s not going to Alabama, and that they should back off.

Then he took the job.

Sources saidthat Nick Saban was goingto take the head coachingposition at Alabama.

INNUENDOA slanter that implies criticism without directly saying it.

When told that Joe committed the crime, Henry said, “Well he was from Oakland, you know.”

II. Word Choices

UP-PLAYERLanguage that makes something sound more significant than it really was.

Saying “I managed to get elected 3 times!” when in fact, no one else ran against them.(Or Putin saying that his party has won free and democratic elections?)

Many of Putin’s opponents have been arrested,including chess championGary Kasparov.

DOWN-PLAYERLanguage that makes something sound less significant than it really was.

“It was just a GE course.”

EUPHEMISMA term that makes something sound better than a neutral term would have.

What other name might we call the police when we’re happy with them?

DYSPHEMISMA term that makes something sound worse than a neutral term would have.

What other name might we call the police when we’re not happy with them?

“Peace Officer” or “Officer of the Law”Euphemism or Dysphemism?Up-player or Down-player?

“Peace Officer” or “Officer of the Law”Euphemism or Dysphemism?Up-player or Down-player?

III. Fine Print

QUALIFIERAdditional information that modifies the meaning of what was previously said.

Free? What’s the catch? How do I get that “free” gas?

WEASELERAn extreme qualifier that completely negates the meaning of the original statement.

$120 Computer?

WEASEL WORDSWords that take away the impact of what you’re saying as you say it.

“Look, Iran was dangerous, Iran is dangerous, and Iran will be dangerous if they have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon. What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program?” (George Bush, JAN 2007)

There’s still a danger! Iran may start up their program again!

examples:maymightperhapscouldthere’s a chance it’s possible thatfor all I know

you’re probablythinking:

‘Well, do you meanit or not?’

EVADING THE ISSUEChanging the Subject

IV. Evasions

When asked about Senator McCain’s financial deregulation policies, Governor Palin chose to talk about something she was familiar with—her tax policies in Alaska.

Red HerringSubstituting Arguments

Politicians and Administration officials are being asked about cuts to the CSU System.They will inevitably give an argument about a budget crisis.

SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF PROOFAsking someone else to give good reasons in support of their position,

so you don’t have to provide good reasons in support of yours.

Neo-Darwinist: “Prove to me that there was an intelligent designer! You can’t!”ID’er: “Prove to me that there wasn’t intelligent design!”

OBFUSCATION…is a verbal smokescreen that uses a lot of words, often using highly technical jargon, to make it seem like you’re answering the question when you’re actually not.

Successful obfuscation leaves the questioner unsure as to whether the questionhas been answered or not… at least temporarily.