Ridicule is the use of humorous language to poke fun at someone you disagree with. It can influence your audience to be more dismissive of your opponent's views even though you are not necessarily making an appeal to their reason.
Example #1:
At a rally, Romeny uses the gimmick of a "report card" to influence the audience to laugh off Obama's track record as president.
Example #1:
At a rally, Romeny uses the gimmick of a "report card" to influence the audience to laugh off Obama's track record as president.
Example #2:
Obama uses a similar gimmick at a rally of his own when he pokes fun at Romney using an "economic playbook" metaphor to the delight and amusement of his crowd.
Example #3:
Here, Obama argues that Romney's economic policy proposal would result in higher taxes for middle class citizens to make up for tax cuts for the rich. Obama likens this policy to "Robin Hood in reverse," and dubs it "Romneyhood." The audience responds with laughter at the humorous pun. While this play on words was apparently effective in motivating the audience to think poorly of Romney’s policies, our worry is that some of them will reject his views without looking into them more seriously.
Example #4:
This video, entitled, "53 Seconds that should End a Presidency" strings together several clips of Obama in an attempt to make him look silly, and so, unsuitable for being president. The video has over 4 million views on youtube.
Example #5:
Obama laughs off a claim made by Romney as being just "one of" Romney's "Etch-A-Sketch moments." This is downplaying, ridicule language.