Paralipsis

Paralipsis, a rhetorical device that involves bringing up a subject by either denying it or pretending to pass over it.

This is a clever way to draw attention to something while maintaining a veneer of detachment.

A political speaker might say,

“I won’t even mention the fact that my opponent was late to the debate!”

This highlights the lateness while pretending not to.

In public speaking, paralipsis can subtly emphasize points without making them the main focus of your speech. Use paralipsis in persuasive or political speaking to make a point while feigning diplomacy.