Illogic - Propaganda Techniques

(new series - Illogic - Propaganda Techniques)

recognize and refute, and avoid using...

The Straw Man

a. this is when someone restates something falsely
(changing the facts - misrepresenting the facts)

b. to knock down their own new (false) statement
(rather than try to knock down the original statement, since perhaps they can't)

c. often creating fear by exaggerating bad consequences they say will follow
(their new false statement)

note: this process takes the focus off the original statement

note: if the hearers are listening carefully
and have knowledge of the truth (the original statement)
they should catch that the original statement was changed or misrepresented
making the straw man unsuccessful

~

(expanded)

example:

(what is actually said by the first person - the fact):
I am pro-life.

(second person restating it falsely):
You oppose women's rights regarding their own bodies.

(knocking down their straw man):
You are wrong to deny women's rights in this.

(exaggerating):
And you don't care at all what happens to women with difficult pregnancies.


and now the truth...

(what was actually said - the fact):
I am pro-life.

(recognition and refutation of their straw man):
I don't oppose women's rights regarding their own bodies (as in what department store they take their own body into, or what garments they clothe their own body with, etc.).

I oppose women's rights to harm other people's bodies - the baby's.

(addressing their exaggeration):
I care very much about women with difficult pregnancies.