What is polemic?

Polemic is a stylistic device that consists in overstating an argument or opinion for the purpose of making a point. To make a point is to emphazise or highlight that which is essential to an issue from the perspective of a particular problem or the context in which it is treated.

Good polemic has a summarizing function. It draws upon a solid, fact-oriented argument that either is developed simultaneously or had been put forward beforehand, and tries to hightlight the argument’s essentials in such a way that the reader inevitably feels the inner urge to exclaim: “That is just so true!” Good polemic derives its effectiveness and credibility from the soundness of the argument it is based upon, as well as it grants a special vigor to that argument.

Bad polemic misses its point. Either it highlights non-essentials and thus gives the impression of being out of place, or it does not sufficiently draw upon the underlying argument, or that argument is unconvincing or non-existent. Bad polemic is free floating and emotionalistic, whereas good polemic is rooted in facts. Since bad polemic actually consists of pointless overstatements, it gives the impression of being grotesque, laughably inflated and even embarrassing for its author.