Using the ‘friendly opponent’ quote to your advantage
One of the best rhetorical devices in a speaker’s toolbox is the use of quotes from adversarial voices to make a point.
Many people, when delivering a speech or media interview, like to present data that unequivocally support their point of view.
If you’re a conservative politician, for example, you might cite a statistic from the conservative Heritage Foundation to bolster your proposal’s credibility.
But it’s even more powerful to quote a source the audience wouldn’t expect you to embrace.
For example, imagine you’re a liberal politician who supports a health care individual mandate. You might say:
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