Chapter 14: Analogies, Examples, Metonymy and Narratives

COMM 300: Argumentation, Final Exam

What is an analogy?

a comparison of something with which we are familiar to something with which we are less familiar or about which we have come questions

What is a literal analogy?

a direct comparison between the two allegedly similar items or cases

How can a literal analogy play a role in developing arguments?

clarify meaning, explain a complex process, emphasize the extent of a problem, help identify causes, argue for fair treatment of a person or group

What should be identified in literal analogies?

• evidence case

• conclusion case

• conclusion

What is an evidence case?

a familiar or widely established instance that is used as the basis for the argument

What is a conclusion case?

an instance in the argument about which a claim is being advanced

What are the questions for testing literal analogies?

1. are the cases being compared dissimilar in some critical respect?

2. are the two cases presented accurately?

3. is a better analogy available 

What are two special types of literal analogies?

1. a fortiori 

2. judicial analogy

What is an a fortiori analogy?

a literal analogy that assets that what is true of its evidence case is even more likely or even less likely to be true of its conclusion case

What is the latin definition for a fortiori?

from what which is stronger

What is a judicial analogy?

insists on similar treatment for people, ideas, or institutions in similar circumstances

What is the rule of justice?

the idea that similar cases should be treated similarly

What is a figurative analogy?

comparing two dissimilar things to make a point

What are the tests for figurative analogies?

• is the analogy advanced as illustration or as argument?

• does the figurative analogy appear with other types of arguments?

• are the relationships between the two pairs of terms in the figurative analogy in fact comparable?

What should be identified within a figurative analogy?

• evidence relationship

• conclusion relationship

What is an argument from example?

an argument that draws a conclusion about an entire class of objects or events based on a particular instance or a limited number of cases, rather than about a single member of a group

What are the tests for an argument from example?

1. is the example representative of the class from which it is drawn?

2. is the example reported accurately?

3. is a counter-example available?

What is a metonymy?

the use of one object to represent another associated object, or of a single attribute to represent a complex object

What is a narrative argument?

a moment’s reflection suggests that we are by nature storytellers - naturally drawn to stories

What are the three components of a narrative argument?

1. protagonist

2. values

3. worldview - an entire system of interconnected assumptions and beliefs

What are the tests of narrative arguments?

• coherence

• fidelity

What is coherence?

do the components in this story create a meaningful and consistent whole?

What is fidelity?

does this story reflect what I know to be true about life experiences and human nature?

What is a metaphor?

a comparison between things that are not of the same type that come from different realms of experience - a figurative analogy

What is a special pleading?

the claim that an exception should be made to the rule or principle that would otherwise apply