ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-METZ2-0001 · ATLAS 251

Captatio benevolentiae

An opening move that seeks goodwill before presenting the main claim or argument.

Explanation

An opening move that seeks goodwill before presenting the main claim or argument. Shows that arguments arrive on relational ground shaped in advance.

Example

You know this project's care; that is why I want to disclose a difficult source question.

Counterexample

There is a difficult source question.

Distinction

Captatio generally seeks goodwill; protherapeia specifically prepares for a difficult correction.

Effect on thought and perception

Shows that arguments arrive on relational ground shaped in advance.

Resonance

Before the thought itself, receptiveness to it is touched.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Captatio benevolentiae“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-METZ2-0001. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-METZ2-0001

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-METZ2-0001

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