Accent

Disciplines > Argument > Fallacies > Accent

Description | Discussion | Example | See also

Description

The accent (or emphasis) or used in the statement in question gives a different meaning from that of the words alone.

Emphasis on a word or phrase directs attention.

This may be accidental or due to dialect, but is often deliberate.

Example

I wonder if you really want to do this. (Accent implies 'you want to do this')

What do you think people need about Charmix? (Accent says 'you need Charmix')

Discussion

The emphasis put on words in a sentence changes the meaning, often radically, which is one reason why the spoken word can communicate so much more than the written word (although limited emphasis may be used here).

Emphasis draws attention to words, indicating priority, although this often happens at a subconscious level (which is one reason it is often used in subtle sales and advertising pitches).

Accent is one of Aristotle's 13 fallacies.

Classification

Ambiguity, Linguistic

Also known as

Emphasis