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FIGURES OF SPEECH: When language is their weapon, we must study the bullets

MediaTricks | March 8, 2022

Rhetorical Figures of Speech: Anthypophora.

Description
Anthypophora is arguing with oneself, for example asking questions and then answering them.

Example
Hmm. I could go to the party or stay in with you. What shall I do? I think I'll stay here.

Is the Republican party the best? I think not. Why else were they beaten? Because they are no longer in touch with the people.

Who are you? You are my friend. Why did you betray me? Because you are not my friend.

Discussion
Anthypophora uses the principle of rhetorical questions to ask questions which the speaker wishes to answer. Sometimes this happens when nobody else is asking the questions and sometimes when nobody is answering questions posed. Often it is used for deliberate effect.

One use of anthypophora is to neutralize critics by asking questions that the critics may ask and then providing an answer, thus taking the wind out of their sails before they get going.

Another use is to appear neutral by addressing both sides of an argument. However, this is done by using questions from the opposing side, often phrased weakly, and then providing strong arguments for the desired position.

Classification: Reasoning

Anthypophera is also known as Hypophora. Sometimes the meanings are separated, with hypophora as the statement or question and anthypophora as the reply.

Rhetorical Figures of Speech:
Bdelygmia.

Description
Bdelygmia is sequence of abusive phrases or statements.

Example
He is loathsome to the eye and ear, disgusting all decent people with his ill manner and vitreous, poisonous tongue.

You horrible, horrible man! How could you treat her like that? What would your mother say? What were you thinking? I cannot believe anyone would be so cruel!

Cigarettes are a filthy, horrible, disgusting habit. They pollute the air and poison children. Their purveyors are evil, wicked and mendacious promoters of death.

Discussion
The 'litany of abuse' of bdelygmia often includes quite elaborate language and multiple adjectives and appears quite often in various texts and speeches. It indicates the speaker's violent opposition to something or someone. In its extremeness, it indicates that the speaker is so horrified and appalled at such a terrible transgression of values that they have temporarily lost control over what may be a normally mild and civil manner.

By implication, the subject of the speech is deigned to be particularly bad, wicked and evil, and that others should avoid them and not support them in any way or else be subject to the speaker's continued ire.

When used in response to some attack, this is known as a 'tiger defense', sending the message 'if you attack me, I will attack you back even more fiercely!'

Done badly, however, or if the subject defends themself well, bdelygmia can rebound on the speaker, portraying them as intolerant, offensive, dogmatic and otherwise an unpleasant and nasty person.

Classification: Amplification, Attack

The full list of Rhetorical Figures of Speech:
http://changingminds.org/techniques/language/figures_speech/figures_speech.htm

Love

Categories: Propaganda, Psychological Tags: compliance, crowds

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