Unfair Rhetoric

What is Unfair Rhetoric?

Unfair rhetoric encompasses manipulative conversation techniques directed against the matter at hand. Instead of persuading on the merits, it works with tricks, distortions or personal attacks to weaken the other party.

Unfair Rhetoric in Detail

Unfair rhetoric does not aim at the best solution or the strongest argument but at winning – even by illegitimate means. Typical techniques are personal attacks instead of factual arguments (ad hominem), twisting statements (the straw-man argument), suggestive questions and implications, false alternatives, deliberate interrupting, thought-terminating clichés or shifting the topic. The aim is to unsettle the other person, push them onto the defensive or influence the audience. Composed handling begins with recognition: those who know the patterns are less easily caught off guard. Proven approaches are to stay calm, name the unfair technique factually (“That is a personal attack; let's stick to the matter”), set implications straight and consistently return to the factual level. It is important not to counter with the same means but to persuade through factuality and clarity. Those who recognize unfair rhetoric and parry it with composure preserve their own credibility – in front of an audience especially, calm has a stronger effect than aggression.

In practice, unfair rhetoric encompasses all techniques that seek to persuade not with the better argument but with manipulation, deception or personal attack. These include personal attacks instead of factual relevance, twisting statements, killer phrases, suggestive questions, building up straw-man arguments or creating time and decision pressure. It is important to recognize such techniques, because only those who see through them can respond with composure. A proven approach is to stay factual, calmly name unfair implications, not hit back in the same tone, and consistently return to the factual level and your own message. The aim is not to become unfair yourself but to protect your own position clearly and with composure. Media trainings practise dealing with unfair rhetoric specifically using realistic situations.

How do you counter unfair rhetoric?

Unfair rhetoric seeks to win with manipulative techniques instead of factual arguments. You meet it with composure by recognizing the patterns, staying calm, naming the technique factually and consistently returning to the factual level – rather than countering with the same means.

Unfair Rhetoric – Examples in Practice

To a personal attack, a speaker stays calm and returns to the matter. A speaker exposes a straw-man argument by setting his actual statement straight. A panellist names a suggestive question as such.

Unfair Rhetoric: Key Features at a Glance

• Aim: to win instead of persuading on the merits
• Techniques: ad hominem, straw man, implication
• Effect: unsettle and push onto the defensive
• Handling: recognize, name, return to the matter
• Attitude: factuality instead of counter-attack

Related Terms

• Quick-Wittedness
• Toxic Question
• Bridging
• Confrontation Interview
• Business Rhetoric

Would you like to recognize and counter unfair rhetorical tricks? We support you with our Wording & Messages training.

Unfair Rhetoric: Frequently Asked Questions

What is unfair rhetoric?

Manipulative conversation techniques directed against the matter at hand that work with tricks, distortions or personal attacks instead of persuading on the merits.

What unfair rhetorical techniques are there?

For example personal attacks (ad hominem), straw-man arguments, suggestive questions, implications, false alternatives and thought-terminating clichés.

How do you counter unfair rhetoric?

Stay calm, name the technique factually, set implications straight and consistently return to the factual level – do not respond with the same means.

Why not counter with the same means?

Because factuality and calm preserve your own credibility. In front of an audience, a composed, factual approach has a stronger effect than aggression.