Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M2862

Litotes

Litotes
CollaborateHigh supportRhetoric
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Expressing affirmation by negating the opposite, often with irony or modesty. (e.g., "not a bad idea" = "good idea"; "he's no fool" = "he's smart").

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Tone control. Use litotes when you don't want to appear too enthusiastic or assertive. It creates a calm, objective, even dryly humorous British tone.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Expressing affirmation by negating the opposite (litotes), e.g., "not bad" = good, "not a fool" = smart. Often carries irony or modesty, creating a calm, objective, dryly humorous tone.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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