Clichés and Platitudes are catchy sounding phrases that sound true for two reasons; First, their rhythm is usually pleasing to the ear as in "There's no such thing as a free lunch," and second, we hear them so frequently that we tend to assume that they are true. Remember, avoid clichés like the plague. Platitude: A trite saying which often sounds true simply because it is so often heard.

Explanation:

Often clichés and platitudes are used as "plug and play" features in articles and student papers. In other words, they get inserted without consideration of whether or not they are true. Often they are read in the same way - uncritically.

Examples:

For hundreds of examples, go to: Cliché Finder.

(i) Who's to say what's right or wrong?

(ii) Morality can't be legislated.

NOTE: Platitudes often have exact opposite platitudes.

(iii) Out of sight, out of mind. and...

(iv) Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

(v) Might makes right. and...

(vi) Turn the other cheek.

(iv) "Quality of life." (This sometimes means that if someone else decides their life isn't worth living, then they get to kill that person.)

(v) Right to choose

(vi) Death with dignity (Note that this usually works with begging the question.)

Proof:

Show that the person is using catchy phrases in place of actual evidence.