# Topic: Rhetoric fallacies

Tactical moves that derail, deflect, or shut down a discussion by redirecting attention away from the substance of the argument.

| Fallacy | Trigger – look for… |
| ------- | ------------------- |
| **[Whataboutism](/check/rhetoric/whataboutism.md)** |  A specific criticism is deflected by pointing to *other groups'* similar or worse actions, with the effect of blocking any resolution of the original issue. |
| **[Strawman argument](/check/rhetoric/straw_man.md)** | The opponent's argument or position is *replaced* with a distorted, oversimplified, or fabricated version, and that weaker version is refuted as if it were the original claim. |
| **[Appeal to Emotion](/check/rhetoric/appeal_to_emotion/index.md)** |  A position is supported primarily or exclusively by an appeal to the audience's emotions (pity, fear, outrage, guilt, hope, pride, flattery) rather than by factual arguments. |
| **[Argument by Emotion](/check/rhetoric/appeal_to_emotion/argument_by_emotion.md)** | The speaker's *own* emotional state (hurt, sadness, anger) is used as *pressure* – often inducing guilt – to make the counterpart *concede* or drop a point, rather than as an argument. Specialised form of "appeal to emotion". |
| **[Argumentum ad baculum](/check/rhetoric/argumentum_ad_baculum.md)** |  A *position of power* is used to make the counterpart *concede*: an explicit or implicit *threat of negative consequences* (harm, punishment, loss of benefits, social damage) is used *instead of reasons*. |

#END.