Debate and/or rhetoric experts, help?

[thatwasjen]

"Whatever the New York Times once was, it is today not by any standard a journalistic organization."

"Fahrenheit 9/11 is not a documentary."

This must be an ancient and classic rhetorical device, because it seems to work so well. Does the tactic have a name?

Comments

[javasaurus]

A more extensive list of rhetorical devices.

clicky