Argumentative Terms

ad hominem fallacy

a fallacy of ethics and logic in which a person's character or motive is attacked instead of that person's argument

ad hominem fallacy example

A doctor telling a patient to lose weight, and the patient responding, "Why should I listen to you? You're overweight too!

ad populum fallacy

bandwagon appeal: a fallacy of logic in which the widespread occurrence of something is assumed to make it true or right

ad populum fallacy example

It’s okay to lie or break the rules because everybody does it

argumentation

exploration of a problem by investigating all sides of it

argumentation example

remote work improves employee productivity because it removes commuting stress

begging the question

a fallacy of logical argument that assumes as true the very thing that one is trying to prove

begging the question example

Ghosts are real because I’ve seen a ghost

cause and effect

examination of the causes and/or effects of a situation or

phenomenon

cause and effect example

It rained, so the soccer game was cancelled

concession

An acknowledgement that an opposing argument may be true or

reasonable.

concession example

I understand your argument that this plan is expensive, but it will save us money in the long run

counterargument

an opposing argument to the one a writer is putting

forward

counterargument example

admitting remote work is flexible, but noting it reduces team collaboration