V&S 6

Stance

The position taken that must be defended; the thesis

Claims

Assertions that support the thesis or stance; must have grounds or support to prove their validity

Grounds/Support

This evidence functions as the foundation of proof for each claim (can consist of statistics, quotations, reports, historical references, first person accounts, or various forms of reasoning)

Qualifier/Qualifier

A statement that modifies or limits the meaning of a claim

Concession

An acknowledgment of the value of the opposing view or limits of one’s own stance

Premise

An assumption; the “if” in “if…then…” logic

Conclusion

Based on evidence or facts; the “then” in “if…then…” logic

Syllogism

A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, a conclusion

Enthymeme

Logical reasoning with one premise left unstated

Anecdotal Evidence

Personal stories about specific incidents and experiences

Aspirational & Shared Values

Beliefs people try to achieve or have in common

Definition

A strategy for clarifying terms in an argument

Rebuttal

A refutation or contradiction; recognizing the other side and pointing out flaws

Generalization

A broad statement obtained by inference from specific cases

Fallacy

An error in reasoning (avoid these!)