Classical Argument and Rhetoric

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the components of classical argument, counterarguments, rhetorical fallacies, argument types, and source evaluation criteria.

Classical Template

A flexible arrangement strategy taught by ancient Greeks and Romans that guides contemporary arguments and can be adapted to meet the expectations of various audiences.

Exordium

The opening, hook, or introduction that introduces the speaker and the topic to the audience.

Narration

The context or background information provided over the topic for the chosen audience.

Partition

The thesis, claim/stance, and topic sentences that forecast the direction of the paper and paragraphs.

Argument (Classical Template)

The core substance ("beef") of the essay, consisting of the main points, claims, reasons, and evidence supporting the stance.

Confirmation

Positive proofs and supporting evidence presented to validate the author's argument.

Refutation

The component of an argument that addresses the opponent's counterargument and states the reason why the opposition is wrong (negative proofs).

Peroration

The concluding remarks of the essay and call to action tailored for the chosen audience.

Four Parts of a Counter Argument

The structure consisting of a fair summary of opposition, concession, refutation, and rebuttal.

Concession

The act of acknowledging a specific, valid point made by the opposition.

Rebuttal

The presentation of expert testimony or empirical evidence to back up a refutation against the opposition.

Induction

An argument type that abstracts a general pattern from a specific example.

Analogy

An argument type that compares two things, relying on the audience's assumption that similar things yield similar results or deserve similar responses.

Difference (Argument Type)

An argument based on comparisons that highlights distinctions, requiring the audience to believe that different things yield different results and deserve different responses.

Definition (Argument Type)

An argument method that guides people to feel a certain way about things by assigning them to a category.

Causation (Argument Type)

An argument claiming that something causes or is the effect of something else, typically used alongside other points to convince the audience of a broader conclusion.

Ad Hominem

A flawed rhetorical argument (meaning "to the person" in Latin) that inappropriately attacks the speaker's credibility rather than addressing the substance of their claim.

Straw Man

A logical fallacy where a speaker unfairly represents or oversimplifies the opposition's viewpoint to create an easily defeatable target.

Steel Man

The rhetorical practice of restating the opposition's claims in the most generous possible way to show that even the strongest version of their argument is inferior.

Circular Argument

A flawed argument that restates or rephrases the claim rather than providing actual evidence or explanation.

Slippery Slope

A fallacious claim asserting that taking one initial action will inevitably trigger a chain of terrible cascading consequences like toppling dominoes.

False Binary

A rhetorical oversimplification that reduces a complex debate or situation to only two possible sides or choices.

Opposition Source Criteria

The four required standards for selecting an opposing source: Ethos (credible author, no editorial boards), Recency (within the last 2 years), Location (relevant to the specific area chosen), and Substance (more than a page of quality, effective argument).

Arrangement Options

Organizational strategies for structuring an argument after the exordium, narration, and counterargument, including Series of Counter Arguments, Set of Reasons, Problem/Solution, and Cause/Effect.

Aristotle's Two-Part Argument

The minimal arrangement for persuasion, consisting simply of a claim and a reason to believe that claim, suitable primarily for informed and receptive audiences.