English Argument Analysis Techniques:

Pathos, Ethos and Logos.

Axiom

A universal truth that most people believe to be true.

Example - Linking an idea to the universally accepted principle that “the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.”

Assumption

A belief that something is true or that something will happen, without proof.

Example: “Why do consumers keep buying fast fashion non-stop? Why do you?”

Cause-and-effect

Statements showing a relationship between events and results.

Example: “Food waste costs Australian economy 

Evidence:

Facts, figures or research.

“Each year Australians wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food, roughly 70% edible.”

Technical Language

Words or expressions used by particular professions or groups.

“Sequential hermaphodism, the exponential data component refered to as SEH..”

Reasoning and Logic - Logical argument, voice of reason.

Arguments based on fact and evidence rather than opinion. Common sense.

“Why can’t paper bags, provided for mushrooms, be provided for dirty potatoes or grapes ..”

Rebuttal:

Proving an opposing argument, or statement of criticism is false.

“You may be thinking, local councils are efficient and effective levels of lower government, but councils tend to be risk adverse.”

Ad hominem attack/ Personal Attack:

A direct attack against a persons character rather than their argument - attacks their credibility.

“David Attenborough regularly flies around the world, Whay should we listen to him about climate change is he uses transport that releases a lot of carbon emissions.

Anecdote:

A short, interesting or funny personal story about a real event or experience.

“Having grown up in my mum’s bakeshop, I do know better forecasting on how many croissants to order would mesn less food thrown out.”

Connotations - negative or positive

Implied or suggested ideas through words with additional meaning.

“Extreme weather, threatening every aspect of life as we understand it.”

Emotive language:

Strong, deliberate use of language, which triggers or causes readers to feel strong emotions.

“We’re in the midst of the sixth mass extinction.”

Exaggeration/hyperbole

A statement or description that makes something better, worse or more important than it actually is.

“Yes, we can recycle paper and cardboard, but will there be enough to feed our rapacious packaging industry?”

Imagery/figurative language:

language that produces pictures in the minds of people listening.

“Put simply, hell on earth.”

Anaphora:

Highly repetitive sentences often using similar worlds or sentance starters, grouped together.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.”

Expert opinion:

Evidence from individuals or groups who are highly knowledgable about a topic.

“As Dr Thompson states, massive floods, fires and heatwaves are sending us a clear message.”

Praise:

Words that show approval of and admiration of somebody/thing

“This is a sensible path to replacing plastic bags altogether, Hopefully other councils will investigate and implement similar programs.”

Bias:

Strong feelings in favour or or against one perspective, not based on fair judgment.

“Products made from plants are not reliable in comparison to the trusty plastic bag and can never be a substitute.”

Call to Action:

"Send this to them immediately”

*Can be progressive throughout piece!

Appeals!

Many examples - anger, frustration, fear, empathy…

Appeal to urgency - presents inevitable consequences, generates panic.

“These are humans, people with two hands, working unbearably long hours” **also imagery

Similies/Metaphors:

Like or as!

Or describing something linked as something else.

Lists

1. example

2. example

3. example

OR. This, that, this, that.

Research:

‘Through my research’, ‘many articles referencing’..

Historical Evidence:

Drawing from history, uses it to elaborate on point. Eg: women being traditional keepers of the home — may make a statement perpetuating this historical experience.

Or - something has experiences ww1, the great depresstion etc.

Archetypes:

Characterisation of a type of personality. Universally agreed upon.

Colloquialisms:

Casual everyday language. Almost slang.

Other general ones:

• Rhetorical question

• Inclusive language - we, our, us

• Repetition

• Formal language/informal language (precise, sophisticated —> Slang)

Analogy:

An extended comparison between things - helps draw conclusions. Can be similar to a story, just two examples.

Generalisation:

Overall grouping statement. A sweeping statement offering a general truth to make an argument sound more logical.

Expert authority

Identifies themselves as having experience in an area - therefore credible

Stakeholder / Alignment

Placing themselves as someone affected or involved in the issue also - eg: a local who will also suffer from a certain change.

Aligns themselves with a group.

Moral High ground / moral+ethical principles

Mentioning how people should feel based off commonly held principles of right and wrong (can also be appeal + logic)

Modality - high and low

Show the strength of feeling or level of certainty:

might, can, could, should, need must, certainly, wil!

Juxtaposition / comparison

a clear contrasting relationship betters two ideas.

understatement

opposite of exaggeration! Making it seem less than it actually is

Deep dive into Rhetorical questions:

A question without an answer/with an obvious answer.

Used for emphasis, provocation, or to draw a conclusion.

Ridicule

Using humour to make fun of the opposition - makes them look less credible.

Direct Adress OR Inclusive language

Inclusive language again.- to align the audience with authors argument. Uses we, us out etc.

Idiom

A commonly used expression. “I’m going to hit the road.”

Pejorative - or colourful language

A word, phrase, or expression that conveys a negative connotation, disapproval, contempt, or disrespect toward someone or something

eg: General Insults: Idiots, moron, and slacker

Cliche

overused ideas.

Euphanism

mild or vague expression to substitute for something harsh or too direct. Eg: passed away.

Exclusive language

Use of first person pronouns - ‘I, me, my"‘

OR singling someone out - ‘he, she’ etc.

Irony:

Humour in contradictory situations - often involves sarcasm.

eg: “The war on terror had produced a volatile enviromnent more susceptable to terrorist forces.”

Sarcasm:

Use of irony to mock or show contempt. “Great! We can now look forward to longer queues!”