Which strategy involves claiming something is insignificant to draw attention away from it?

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The correct strategy is paralepsis, which involves bringing attention to something by claiming that it is unimportant or irrelevant. This rhetorical technique effectively highlights an issue or argument by suggesting that it is minor, thereby encouraging the audience to focus on it despite the asserted insignificance. By employing paralepsis, a speaker can subtly direct the audience's attention to a point they might otherwise overlook, creating a contrast between the claim of insignificance and the actual importance of the matter.

For example, in a debate, one might say, "I would like to avoid discussing the allegations that have been made, as they are trivial compared to the real issues at hand," which, paradoxically, draws attention to the allegations themselves. This tactic can be particularly effective in persuasive speech and debate, as it can galvanize an audience's curiosity and critical thinking.

Other choices may involve different rhetorical strategies, such as appealing directly to emotions or emphasizing less relevant details, but they do not encapsulate the essence of drawing focus to a subject by downplaying it in the way paralepsis does.

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