THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTION, like those before it, provides an example of how public officials can obscure discourse with five common techniques: utilizing dangling comparatives, using “average” in a misleading manner, fear mongering, offering anecdotes as evidence, and using euphemisms and dysphemisms. This article is designed to provide citizens with the tools to recognize and combat such obfuscation.
1. The Dangling Comparative
When one encounters a dangling comparative, he or she should always ask “Compared to what?”