Prejudicial Language

Definition:

Loaded or emotive terms are used to attach value or moral goodness to believing the proposition or suspicion or dislike to the opposing position.

Examples:

(i) Right thinking Californians will agree with me that we should have another free vote on capital punishment.

(ii) Not only is paying a higher income tax a patriotic duty, it is also a sacred obligation.

(iii) Senator Jones *claims* that the new tax rate will reduce the deficit. (The use of "claims" implies that what Jones says is false.)

(iv) The proposal is likely to be resisted by the bureaucrats on Capitol Hill. (Compare this to: The proposal is likely to be rejected by officials on Capitol Hill.)

Proof:

Identify the prejudicial terms used (eg. "Right thinking Californians" or "sacred obligation"). Show that disagreeing with the conclusion does not make a person "wrong thinking" or "irresponsible" unless some independent proof can be offered. If they can't they are just begging the question.

References:

Cedarblom and Paulsen: 153, Davis: 62

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