10Dark Rethoric

DARVO

Description

DARVO is a practiced reversal: deny the act, attack the accuser, and crown oneself the victim.

Why This Works

It works because many audiences respond to emotional posture more quickly than documentary evidence.

Example 1

Confronted with manipulated numbers, the speaker says, “I never did this; you are persecuting me.”

Example 2

After harmful messages are shown, sender replies, “You are abusing me by exposing this,” and moves the room from facts to sympathy.