Distortion
Motte and bailey
Advances a bold claim, retreats to a modest one when pressed, then returns to the bold one.
“Cars are ruining cities” — pressed — “I only meant traffic can be annoying.”
- How to spot it
- The claim suddenly becomes “obviously true” and much smaller the moment you challenge it.
- How to answer it
- Name both versions and ask which one they are defending right now.
Practise against it
Favoured by The Spin Doctor · The Shifter.