Power Word Examples Political Positive Negative Religious And

Note: Many times power words are used in a semantically correct way, but where a synonym would be more appropriate. The choice is made precisely because of the opinion of an individual or a group.

Power words are used often in our lives. They are used in politics to sell ideas, in advertisements to sell products, and in religions to sell beliefs. Power words will often create an impression that any logical argument against the speaker is absurd , when that is not always the case.

1 Examples

1.1 Political

1.1.1 Positive

1.1.2 Negative

Anarchist, Communist, Hippy, etc. Used to describe demonstrators.
Dissident. Implies that an opponent's view is uncommon and therefore false. Neutral alternative would be "Alternative" (as an adjective) or "Opponent" (as a noun).
Un-American (Anti-American) or Un-Soviet (Anti-Soviet). Used in respective countries to describe an opponent to the government or any undesirable s.
Nazi is sometimes used as an adjective to describe any repressive government, whether or not it is Nazist.
Politically incorrect: used to avoid calling something 'offensive' because the speaker does not find it personally offensive.
Politically correct: used to imply that concern to avoid offence stands in the way of truth.

1.2 Religious and spiritual

Christian. When used to describe a person in a positive light. "She is a true Christian"
Myth or Legend. When one uses it to describe other religions, it is commonly contrasted with "scripture" or "belief". "Pagan mythology" while "Jewish belief".
Pagan, Cultist, Sect member, Non-believer, Unfaithful. Describing all individuals of different religious or spiritual views.

1.3 Debate specific

1.3.1 Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice

Life in Pro-Life, rather than Anti-Abortion.
Choice in Pro-Choice, rather than Pro-Abortion.

1.3.2 Anti-War

Occupant. Negative for soldier.
Peacekeeper. Same just positive.

1.3.3 War on Terror

Terrorist. Used rather than a more neutral term combatant, when aims of that person are opposing to the speaker's.
Freedom fighter. Same as above just used when aims are agreeable.

1.4 Other

So-Called. Commonly used to smear another person. "So-called feminists are commonly engaging in..."
Naturally. Meaning "Who wouldn't have thought of that" as in "Naturally, Protestant critics have jumped on this bandwagon", or meaning "without a doubt" as in "The point of Brahms's work has naturally been lost by critics"

2 See also

bias
dysphemism
euphemism
loaded term
words to avoid when writing for Wikipedia

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