A Look at Various Stereotypes

Stereotyping can be a deliberate or an unintentional generalization; an assignment of a negative or positive attribute or attributes to any group of people. It is a tool used to persuade others to a cause. Of the five

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groups in the assignment, politicians are unique that they will readily stereotype one another in their quest for a vote or to influence voting. Watch CSPAN and see firsthand first class rhetorical analogy and definitions, all sorts of rhetorical devices such as dysphemism euphemism, slanting, stereotyping, even phony outrage, everything read in the assigned chapters can be seen and heard within minutes of watching Congress debate. The fallacies used are numerous and well-beaten.

Stereotyping from politicians is seldom used independently. It is used within a series of fallacies such as the "personal attack" ad hominem where the term "Democrat" is seldom spoken without the term "tax & spend" is attached before and after that term is spoken. Naturally, it is used to stir already biased emotions against an issue with an appropriate number of convenient facts to provide legitimacy to the argument. Depending on the seriousness of the debate and level of frustration, the greater the rhetorical definitions, analogies, and explanations along with associated arguments from outrage real or staged. From either position, many arguments are arguments of tradition using the same catch phrases and hyperboles with maximum of well-placed dysphemia. (Moore & Parker, 2007, pp.133, 507) Turning to Ad Hominem fallacies; these errors are not but are used deliberately to attach slanted claims to a group or persons to inculcate into the listener a distorted and negative view of their target, namely, whoever opposes them....

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...). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking-Concepts and Tools, 5th. Ed., Foundation for Critical Thinking Press: Dillon Beach, CA.

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Works Cited

Moore, B. N., & Parker, R. (2007). Criticak Thinking, Ashford University 8th. Ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

Joann Fletcher, History & Archaeology, Tattoos: The Ancient and Mysterious History By Cate Lineberry, Smithsonian.com, January 01, 2007, retrieved from http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/tattoo.html, 04/03/2009

Kaveny, C.M., (1996). Discrimination and Affirmative Action Discrimination and Affirmative Action-Journal article, Theological Studies, Vol. 57, 1996 retrieved from www.questia.com, 04/05/2009

Paul, R. and Elder, L., (2008). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking-Concepts and Tools, 5th. Ed., Foundation for Critical Thinking Press: Dillon Beach, CA.

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