Labeling

Labeling

Labeling is the propagandist technique of using a EUPHEMISM to increase the perceived quality, credibility, or credence of a particular ideal. The propagandist uses a DYSPHEMISM to discredit, diminish the perceived quality, or hurt the perceived righteousness of "the Mark". By creating a "label" or "category" or "faction" of a population, it is much easier to make an example of these larger bodies, because the propagandist can uplift or defame "the Mark" without actually incurring legal-defamation.

Continue Reading... Labels: Madeleine McCann

Faulty Cause and Effect

Faulty Cause and Effect
(See also: Fallacy: Confusing Cause and Effect)

This technique suggests that because B follows A, A must cause B.

Remember, just because two events or two sets of data are related does not necessarily mean that one caused the other to happen. It is important to evaluate data carefully before jumping to a wrong conclusion.

In order to determine that a fallacy has been committed, it must be shown that the causal conclusion has not been adequately supported and that the person committing the fallacy has confused the actual cause with the effect. Showing that the fallacy has been committed will typically involve determining the actual cause and the actual effect.

Continue Reading... Labels: Madeleine McCann

Obfuscation, intentional vagueness, confusion

Obfuscation, intentional vagueness, confusion

Generalities are deliberately vague so that the audience may supply its own interpretations. The intention is to move the audience by use of undefined phrases, without analyzing their validity or attempting to determine their reasonableness or application.

Continue Reading... Labels: Madeleine McCann

Ad Hominem

Ad Hominem
Translated from Latin to English, "Ad Hominem" means "against the man" or "against the person."

Attacking the person instead of attacking his argument.
(For an excellent explanation of this technique, see Fallacy: Ad Hominem
A common form is an attack on sincerity.

Continue Reading... Labels: Madeleine McCann

Rationalization

Rationalization:

Favorable generalities are used to rationalize questionable acts or beliefs. Vague and pleasant phrases are often used to justify such actions or beliefs.

Examples:

• "like dining in your garden"
• responsible parents
• (More to follow...)

Continue Reading... Labels: Madeleine McCann

Glittering Generalities, Euphemisms and Slogans

Glittering Generalities: 
This technique uses important-sounding "glad words" that have little or no real meaning. These words are used in general statements that cannot be proved or disproved. Words like "good," "honest," "fair," and "best" are examples of "glad" words.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2010, CEOP, Jim Gamble, Madeleine McCann

Card-stacking

Card-stacking
Sources: Changing Minds

This term comes from stacking a deck of cards in your favor. Card stacking is used to slant a message. Key words or unfavorable statistics may be omitted, leading to a series of half-truths. Keep in mind that an advertiser (spokesperson, PR person) is under no obligation "to give the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."

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Bandwagon

Bandwagon
(A good source for more information: Fallacy: Bandwagon)

The "bandwagon" approach encourages you to think that because everyone else is doing something, you should do it too, or you'll be left out. The technique embodies a "keeping up with the Joneses" philosophy. The basic theme of the Bandwagon appeal is that "everyone else is doing it, and so should you."

The Bandwagon is a fallacy in which a threat of rejection by one's peers (or peer pressure) is substituted for evidence in an "argument."

Continue Reading... Labels: Clarence Mitchell, Madeleine McCann

Red Herring

Red Herring

The propagandist technique of presenting data or issues that, while compelling, are irrelevant to the argument at hand, and then claiming that it validates the argument.

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Ad nauseam

AD NAUSEAM

The propagandist technique of using the tireless repetition of an idea. An idea, especially a simple slogan, that is repeated enough times, may begin to be taken as the truth. This approach works best when media sources are limited and controlled by the propagator.

Continue Reading... Labels: Gonçalo Amaral, Madeleine McCann