Political speeches often employ the rhetorical technique of 'claiming the center'—positioning one's view as moderate and reasonable while painting opponents as extremist. This framing appears across the political spectrum: progressives may call conservatives 'radical' while conservatives label progressives 'extreme.' The technique reveals less about actual ideological positions than about the persuasive value of appearing moderate to audiences.
Based on the passage, it can be inferred that
only one political side uses this rhetorical technique
political speeches accurately represent ideological differences
political rhetoric may prioritize persuasive effect over accurate representation
audiences prefer candidates who identify as extremist
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. The technique is about appearing moderate, not actual moderation.
- Context clues: Both sides use the same technique; it reveals "persuasive value" rather than "actual ideological positions."
- Meaning: Rhetoric is shaped by what persuades, not what's accurate.
- Verify: Both sides claiming the center shows positioning matters more than precision.
💡 Strategy: When the same technique is used regardless of actual position, infer that persuasion overrides accuracy.
Choice A is incorrect because both progressives and conservatives use it. Choice B is incorrect because the technique obscures rather than clarifies actual positions. Choice D is incorrect because the technique works by making candidates appear moderate.