Insertion of Doubt
Category: Rhetorical Device
What is it?
Insertion of doubt is a rhetorical technique where uncertainty is introduced about established facts or consensus without providing substantive evidence for that doubt. It creates an impression that something is questionable when it may not be.
Examples
'Some questions have been raised about the safety of these vaccines.'
'There are concerns about the reliability of climate science.'
How to Avoid This
When raising questions about established positions, provide specific, substantive reasons for doubt rather than vague references to unnamed concerns.
How to Counter This
Ask for specifics: 'What questions exactly? Raised by whom? Based on what evidence?'