Sarah Breen: I wanted a family meal out like the ones you see in films, but red flags appeared the second we sat down

loaded adjectives: Describing the war as 'rumbling into a fifth year' subtly frames it as dragging on without progress, implying weariness or futility.

“the war with Russia rumbles into a fifth year”

sympathy appeal: The phrase 'could use a helping hand right about now' evokes pity for Zelensky, shaping reader sentiment.

“it really does seem like the Ukrainian president could use a helping hand right about now”

editorializing: The rhetorical question 'Is the leader once hailed as “the spirit of Ukraine” gradually losing his grip on power?' frames a speculative narrative as a legitimate concern without presenting counter-evidence.

“Is the leader once hailed as “the spirit of Ukraine” gradually losing his grip on power?”

loaded verbs: The phrase 'the days of stars topping the poll... are gone' uses dramatic language to suggest a significant cultural shift, framing the change as definitive.

“The days of stars topping the poll of highest earners at RTÉ are gone”

fear appeal: The phrase 'waning audience' implies decline and potential failure, creating a sense of urgency or concern.

“win back a waning audience”

editorializing: Rhetorical questions like 'what could it mean for the broadcaster’s future' and 'can a new slate... win back' imply instability and doubt without offering analysis.

“What could it mean for the broadcaster’s future as commercial rivals continue their hunt for talent?”

loaded adjectives: Describing the hex as 'damning and highly effective' gives it narrative weight and credibility, subtly reinforcing the myth.

“a damning and highly effective hex”

sympathy appeal: Phrases like 'decades of heartbreak' and 'overcome their demons' evoke pity and emotional investment in the team’s struggle.

“decades of heartbreak”

editorializing: The rhetorical question 'is the old tale fact or fiction?' frames the curse as a legitimate topic of debate rather than folklore, giving it undue seriousness.

“So, is the old tale fact or fiction?”

loaded labels: The term 'terrorist community' is a highly charged label used without critical distance, framing Palestinian solidarity efforts negatively.

“Pobal sceimhlitheoireachta: Terrorist community”

outrage appeal: The use of 'Cacamas: Bullshit' and 'Seafóid: Nonsense' in the glossary expresses dismissiveness toward official justifications for detention, evoking reader outrage.

“Cacamas: Bullshit”

narrative framing: The narrative centers on Irish solidarity with Palestine while omitting any context about Israeli security perspectives or official justifications for detention.

“Tá Gaza agus an Bruach Thiar faoi smacht Iosrael le blianta fada anuas – agus is ábhar é a mhúsclaíonn mothúcháin láidre i measc go leor Éireannaigh.”

vague attribution: The claim that allegations against Seán were 'not true at all' is presented without specifying who made the allegations or what evidence refutes them.

“rud nach raibh fíor in aon chor”