AP Lang Argument + Modes vocab

argument

a set of claims built on premises, ultimately resulting in a conclusion

premise

stated assumption/evidence used as a reason in an argument

syllogism

the joining of two or more premises to form a conclusion

assumption

unexamined beliefs; may be (un)stated in an argument; may lead to bias

claim of fact

arguing for something to be true or not true

claim of value

arguing for something to have worth or not have worth

claim of policy

arguing that something should or should not be done

Toulmin method

claim, grounds, warrant, backings, qualifier, rebuttal; strong evidence = strong argument

Rogerian method

state issue, state opposing position, grant validity to opposing position, demonstrate how your position will improve the opposing position; mutual ground to build understanding; tool to create tolerance

ambiguity

Using ambiguous words/phrases/claims

Division

Assuming all members of a set share characteristics of the set as a whole

Composition

Assuming that a set shares characteristics with a given member of a set (reverse of division; think those math logic T/F statements)

Equivocation

Making two words or phrases equivalent in meaning despite contextual differences

Non sequitur

“It does not follow”; drawing conclusions that are unrelated or do not follow logically from the premises

Distorting the facts

Misrepresenting information, data, or facts

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc

“After this, therefore because of this”; assuming that sequence equals consequence

Many questions

Presupposing facts that are assumed in the question itself

Hasty generalization

Jumping to conclusions based on insufficient evidence or biases

Slippery slope

Arguing that an idea or action will lead inevitably to unrealistically stepper and stepper consequences

False analogy

Comparing two things that may be similar in some ways but remain different in other ways

Straw man

Misrepresenting an argument so that you can attack the misrepresentation rather than the actual argument

Special pleading

Making an unwarranted claim by misapplying or misusing rules and standards

Begging the question

Making an argument in which the premises are based on the truth of the conclusion

False Dichotomy

Establishing only two opposing positions when more might be available or when opposing positions are not mutually exclusive

Oversimplification

Reducing a complex thing to a simple cause or consequence

Tu quoque

“You also”; discrediting an argument by attacking the speaker’s failure to adhere to their conclusions

Genetic fallacy

Arguing a position based on the real or imagined origin, history, or source of the idea

Appeal to ignorance

Saying that something is true because there’s no evidence against it

Poisoning the well

Creating negative associations preemptively to discredit another person or position

Ad Hominem

“Against the man”; attacking the character of a person by providing irrelevant negative information

Appeal to authority

Asserting that a claim is true by citing someone thought to be an authority, regardless of the merits of the position or the relevance of the authority’s expertise

Appeal to fear

Supporting a position by instilling irrational fear of the alternatives

Death by a thousand qualifications

Justifying a weak idea or position by changing (or qualifying) it each time it is challenged

Protecting the hypothesis

Distorting evidence to support a preexisting belief or idea