Rhetorical Device Project
2nd Period, Group 4
False Need
Definitions
False advertising is any form of advertising that is misleading to the customer. The consumer feels that buying the product would result in them benefiting from the purchase. The advertising might be on television, radio, newspapers, magazines, billboards, or the internet. They might advertise that consumers could save money or that the product would perform a certain function.
Coke keeps you thin! (1961 Coke commercial)
Examples
Advertisers frequently use post hoc fallacies to sell a product. Think, for example, of the American cultural icon of the Marlboro man. He is handsome, strong, and virile. How did he get that way? By smoking Marlboro cigarettes! Alcohol ads make similar claims -- drink Brand X beer and get the beautiful girl, wear Brand X clothes and you'll be popular, etc.
Loaded Terms
Definitions
loaded language (also known as loaded terms or emotive language) is wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes. Such wording is also known as high-inference language or language persuasive techniques.
Tropicana Orange Juice Ad - "Child's Play"
Examples
The term "loaded terms" refers to words, phrases, and overall verbal and written communication that is intended to inspire emotion in the reader or listener. This usage of language to appeal to emotion is used in everyday conversation and is often used by politicians, public figures, advertisers and corporations.
Leading questions
Definition
In common law systems that rely on testimony by witnesses, a Leading questions or suggestive interrogation is a question that suggests the particular answer or contains the information the examiner is looking to have confirmed. Their use is restricted in eliciting testimony in court, to reduce the ability of the examiner to direct or influence the evidence presented. Depending on the circumstances, leading questions can be objectionable or proper.
Leading Questions - Yes Prime Minister
Examples
The classic example is:
Have you stopped beating your wife?You were at Duffy's bar on the night of July 15, weren't you?