Understand what rhetoric is.

• Recognize that the "rhetorical force" of language, as detailed here, refers to the way in which arguments can win agreement without actually providing reasons for that agreement.
• Recognize the difference between the logical force of a good argument and the psychological force of mere rhetoric.

Understand how rhetorical devices can present distorted descriptions of objects, persons, and ideas.

• Recognize the many functions of euphemisms and dysphemisms.
• Realize that even neutral language can function as euphemistic or dysphemistic.
• Learn to spot the distortions that can lurk among rhetorical comparisons, rhetorical definitions, and rhetorical explanations.
• See the rhetorical impact of stereotypes.

Understand how rhetorical devices can suggest claims without making those claims overtly.

• Spot innuendo.
• Learn to identify loaded questions.

Understand and learn to identify the rhetorical techniques with which claims are made to appear either stronger or weaker than they really are.

• Learn what a weaseler is and how it works its effects.
• Understand the potential for deception inherent in a downplayer.

Understand how rhetorical devices may try to obviate the need for argument altogether.

• Understand what horselaugh and hyperbole are and how they effectively refute or silence a claim without actually arguing against it.
• Understand what a proof surrogate is.