AC Study Practice

What is a conclusion?

The main claim the author is trying to convince you is true.

What is a premise?

A statement that supports the conclusion by providing evidence or reasons.

What is an argument?

A conclusion supported by at least one premise with the purpose of convincing the reader.

What is inference?

The reasoning process that connects premises to a conclusion.

Difference between a strong and sound argument?

Strong = premises reasonably support the conclusion.

Sound = strong and premises are true.

Can a strong argument have a false conclusion?

Yes. Only sound arguments guarantee a true conclusion if the premises are true.

What are the three criteria for evaluating premises?

• Reasonable

• Relevant

• Adequate

False Dilemma

Only two choices are presented when more exist.

Begging the Question

Assumes its conclusion instead of proving it. Aka - Circular reasoning

Equivocation

Uses the same word with two different meanings.

Ad Hominem

Attacks the person instead of the argument.

Tu Quoque

Responds to criticism by accusing the other person of hypocrisy.

Genetic Fallacy

Accepts or rejects a claim because of its source.

Straw Man

Misrepresents someone's position to make it easier to attack.

What is a persuasive definition?

A definition that disguises an unsupported opinion as though it were an accepted fact, making it more likely people will agree with it.

Why are persuasive definitions misleading?

They present an opinion as a definition, making debate more difficult because the conclusion is built into the definition itself.

What is a loaded question?

A question that assumes something is already true, making it difficult to answer without accepting the hidden assumption.

Why are loaded questions problematic?

They force the listener to accept an unstated assumption instead of addressing whether the assumption is true.

Ex: "Why can't you act like a professional?" (Assumes the person has been acting unprofessionally.)

What is a concealed claim?

The hidden assumption contained within a loaded question.

What is the concealed claim in "Are you planning to start taking this course seriously?"

The speaker assumes the person has not been taking the course seriously.

What is a euphemism?

A word or phrase that makes something sound milder or more pleasant than its neutral meaning.

"Revolutionary" instead of "Soldier."

What is a dysphemism?

A word or phrase that makes something sound harsher or worse than its neutral meaning.

What is a neutral term?

A word that describes something without making it sound better or worse.

What is a down-player?

A word or phrase that minimizes the importance or seriousness of something.

Ex: "There was the odd bit of violence." (Minimizes how violent the movie actually was.)

What is an up-player?

A word or phrase that exaggerates the importance or significance of something.

Ex: "I managed to pass." (Implies passing was unusually difficult.)

What is hyperbole?

An extreme form of up-playing that deliberately exaggerates for emphasis.

Ex: "That test was so hard I thought my brain was going to blow up."

What is a qualifier?

A word, phrase, footnote, or punctuation that weakens or limits the certainty of a statement.

Ex: To avoid making an absolute claim and acknowledge uncertainty or limitations.

Three common ways to qualify a statement?

• Footnotes

• Words like may or might

• Quotation marks

What is a proof substitute?

Language that implies proof exists without actually providing any evidence.

Why are proof substitutes misleading?

They rely on persuasive wording instead of evidence.

Examples of proof substitute phrases?

• "Surely..."

• "Obviously..."

• "You must..."

• "Everyone knows..."

What is rhetorical persuasion?

Trying to convince someone through persuasive language rather than actual evidence.

What is the burden of proof?

The responsibility to provide evidence for a claim rests with the person making the claim.

What is shifting the burden of proof?

Expecting the other person to disprove your claim instead of providing evidence for it yourself.

Opinion disguised as a definition?

Persuasive definition

Question containing a hidden assumption?

Loaded question

Makes something sound nicer?

Euphemism

Makes something sound worse?

Dysphemism

Makes something sound less important?

Down-player

Makes something sound more important?

Up-player

Extreme exaggeration?

Hyperbole

dds uncertainty to a claim?

Qualifier

Implies evidence without showing it?

Proof substitute

Responsibility for supporting a claim?

Burden of proof

Making someone else disprove your claim?

Shifting the burden of proof