How can readers distinguish between prejudicial and non-prejudicial use of rhetorical devices?
The role of using rhetoric is a form of using persuasive devices such as wording to achieve a goal in persuading and influencing the reader into a fallacy or belief that the author has on a subject or topic. A different way if describing is a person’s own “Spin” or “Belief” is not neutral and is bias and downplays the opposing view then it is described as rhetoric. Some of the devices or tools as described by reading, Moore and Parker (Critical Thinking, 2004) chapters 4 thru 6 are: ■ Euphemisms and Dysphemisms ■ Rhetorical Comparisons, Definitions, and Explanations ■ Stereotypes ■ Innuendo ■ Loaded Questions ■ Weaselers ■ Downplayers ■ Horse Laugh/ Ridicule/Sarcasm ■ Hyperbole ■ Proof Surrogates One of the ways of distinguishing between prejudicial and non-prejudicial use of rhetorical devices is education and acquiring the skills that can identify what is rhetorical. Non-prejudicial rhetorical device can be described as slanting using “euphemisms”. This only means putting a positive
