#rhetoric

#rhetoric

Because of the psychological power of rhetoric, words do matter. Words have both a denotation (the meaning) and a connotation (the emotions and associations invoked). Words that have the same denotation can have very different connotations. For example, "police officer" and "pig" (as slang) have the same denotation but different connotations. As would be expected, the ongoing fight over vaccines involves rhetoric.

The mainstream wing of the Democratic Party is terrified of the leftist faction and has abandoned standing for anything substantial, only opposing President Trump.

In one of the most famous passages, the now president stated: I play to people's fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can get very excited by those who do. That is why a little hyperbole never hurts.

Anger does not prove that something is unfair. People can be angry about fair situations or unfavorable situations that are not as unfair as they desire.

"Today you receive one of the most priceless gifts ever granted by human hands. You become a citizen of the United States of America."

Gergen reflected on the power of rhetorical questions, stating, "It's one of those things that you sometimes strike gold. When you're out there panhandling in the river, occasionally you get a gold nugget."

Farnsworth writes that such repetition creates a "hammering effect" that is likely to be remembered. Examples he provides include: "They always will; they always do; they always have." Quoting Charles Dickens for an example, Farnsworth includes "...the most dismal trees in it, and the most dismal sparrows, and the most dismal cats, and the most dismal houses..."

The question "Do you personally know anyone who X?" serves as a rhetorical strategy aimed at creating the illusion that X is uncommon or less serious, impacting public perception.

The appeal to tradition assumes that what makes a belief or practice true is its age; however, defenders rarely select the oldest practices.

Simplicity makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences—making them charm the crowd's ears more finely, according to Aristotle.

The distinction between denotation and connotation is critical; a word's literal meaning differs significantly from its emotional impact, affecting perception and understanding.

I said if you help the Harrigans, the Harrigans will help you. You have not helped the Harrigans. Not at all. Okay? So now I, Kevin here, he's gonna lose his family, I'm gonna lose my family, both of us are gonna die, and others, yeah? Thanks to you, okay, and Eddie. So I don't think it's very fair that you don't share in some of that joy, you understand.