Introductory Terms - AP English Language and Composition

rhetoric

the art and science of persuasion

rhetor

the one who is arguing

rhetorical triangle

Speaker, audience, message

fact

a statement that can be verified by an independent observer; not subject to debate; it is falsifiable

opinion

a belief that results from a preference or a judgement; it is subject to debate

inference

a statement about the unknown that is closely tied to known facts

assertion

a statement about the unknown supported by evidence and reasoning; it is less certain than an inference or fact

dichotomy

a statement offering two mutually exclusive or contradictory alternatives (eg. A or not A)

syllogism

a form of reasoning in which two propositions are made and a logical conclusion drawn from them

enthymeme

a claim + a reason

deductive

a form of reasoning from a general idea to a specific conclusion

inductive

a form of reasoning from a specific idea to a general conclusion

three species of argument

Past (forensic), Present (demonstrative), and Future (deliberative)

three appeals of argument

Logos (logic), Pathos (emotion), and Ethos (values)

de gustibus non est disputandum

in matters of taste there is no argument