Ellen Corley Research Database
Here is a clear Markdown table summarizing the key terms for the tactic of labeling someone (e.g., as "antisemite," "conspiracy theorist," etc.) to discredit, demonize, or dismiss them without engaging their arguments — along with closely related tactics commonly used in political discourse, rhetoric, and propaganda analysis.
| Term | Category | Description | Common Political Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad Hominem | Logical Fallacy | Attacking the person's character, motives, or identity instead of their argument. | "You can't trust what they say — they're just a conspiracy theorist." |
| Poisoning the Well | Logical Fallacy (subtype of Ad Hominem) | Preemptively discrediting someone with negative labels before they speak, priming the audience to dismiss them. | Labeling a speaker an "antisemite" at the start of a discussion on foreign policy. |
| Name-Calling | Propaganda Technique (Institute for Propaganda Analysis) | Using derogatory, emotionally charged labels to arouse prejudice and rejection without evidence. | Calling opponents "racist," "fascist," or "extremist" to evoke instant disdain. |
| Demonization | Propaganda / Rhetorical Technique | Portraying the target as evil, dangerous, immoral, or subhuman to provoke fear/hatred and justify dismissal. | Framing critics as threats to society or decency (e.g., "They hate our values"). |
| Smear Tactic / Smear Campaign | Political / Propaganda Strategy | Systematic use of labels, innuendo, or false associations to tarnish reputation and destroy credibility. | Coordinated media/political efforts to brand someone as unreliable or hateful. |
| Character Assassination | Political / Rhetorical Technique | Deliberate destruction of a person's reputation through personal attacks and stigmatizing labels. | Long-term campaigns associating someone with hated ideologies via loaded terms. |
| Guilt by Association | Logical Fallacy / Propaganda | Discrediting someone by linking them (via label) to a disliked group or idea. | Implying "conspiracy theorist" = dangerous extremist like certain fringe groups. |