Red Herrings In Public Speaking
Have you ever started talking with someone on a specific topic and by the time the conversation was over you were on a completely different topic? This occurs when a “red herring” was introduced in to the discussion. It is when someone introduces something irrelevant to the discussion.
History of the Red Herring
A red herring is a dead fish that is use to train track dogs. Trainers would lay out a scent of a rabbit or raccoon (that they want the dog to learn) and allow the trail to become old. Then they would drag the red herring in a different direction. They would train the dog to stay on the raccoon’s sent and ignore the scent of the herring.
So for our purposes a red herring is when a speaker or an audience participant introduces an irrelevant argument which distracts us from the real issue or topic being discussed.
How Can You Avoid Using Red Herrings?
You have to recognize when you or someone else uses a red herring. A red herring can be something that is true, although irrelevant. Ask yourself “is this point relevant to the topic?”
Get back to the issue. Redirect your speech or response to the topic originally being discussed.
If you are conscious of your tendency to use red herrings, you’ll be on the lookout for them–then you can weed them out of your speech—during the preparation stage, or to remove them from your arguments when having a discussion or a debate.
If you are determined to avoid using red herrings you will—for then your ears and eyes will be trained to be on the alert for them.
Here is a wonderful resource that will help you learn more about identifying Red Herrings…
Tags:irrelevant arguments,pblic speaking,red herrings
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