DECODINGSECRETS OF DECEPTIONJamacia WilliamsMrs. Angela CannonAP English 41014 November 2013

#1. FEAR TACTIC

Pathos-manipulate emotions

Attacks consumers’ fears & insecurities (Jamieson 28)

Emotional response inhibits objective decision-making

#2. Likely Story Facts or claim seem “too good to be true”

or “dramatic” May or may not support your bias

(Jamieson 29) Analyze the data objectively

#3. Comparing Against Competition Comparatives such as ‘better’, ‘faster’

used Better than what? Faster than whom? Superlatives like ‘most’, ‘highest’,

“worst” Fact check: carefully consider

information presented

#4. Cons on Credit Get the benefit now, pay the cost later Politicians may advertise a advantage

now, while omitting who or if the debt will be repaid (Jamieson 36)

Red flags: short-term, later

#5. Passing Fault

Only biased evidence represented

Examine all possibilities

#6. Glittering Generalities Words & phrases that induce a positive

emotion reaching for the stars miracle patriot

Pathos Obscure Ask for details (Jamieson 40)

SOURCES http://www.hellawella.com/toning-shoes-under-siege-companies-pay-

up/11491 http://www.pleated-jeans.com/2010/05/20/15-awful-examples-of-

christian-propagand http://www.mazda220.com/en/promotion/take-home-your-car-and-pay-

nothing-until-2014/1298 http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2012/08/15/dr-oz-battling-to-

get-his-face-off-miracle-weight-loss-pill-ads http://www.publichealth.uga.edu/hpb/news/grim-childhood-obesity-ads-

stir-critics http://courses.durhamtech.edu/perkins/aris.html Jackson, Brooks and Kathleen H. Jamieson. Unspun: Finding Facts in a

World of Disinformation. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2007. Print.