English Rhetoric Vocab Season 2

Inductive Argument/Reasoning

A common line of reasoning pattern that uses specific premises to draw a broader generalization where the conclusion is probable but not guaranteed.

Deductive Argument/Reasoning

A common line of reasoning pattern where the conclusion is guaranteed to be true if the premises are true.

casual reasoning

A common line of reasoning in which something is cause by something else

analogical or comparative reasoning

A common line of reasoning that something is like OR unlike something else.

concession

related to making an argument; accepting at least part (or all) of an opposing view to establish credibility.

rebuttal

A counter argument or refutation of another argument (used to prove your point)

conditional statement

An if then statement that consists of two parts. Used in argument

Logical Fallacies 

You can analyze the mistaken use of these for youth synthesis and rhetorical analysis essay; but, you don’t want to make the error of including a logical fallacy in writing your argument essay. A fallacy is an attractive unreliable piece of reasoning/evidence used to support and argument. 

ad hominem

Latin for “against the man” personal attack on someone’s character instead of an attack on their argument.

Appeal to authority

The claim that because somebody is famous supports an idea, the idea must be right.

Non sequitur

A conclusion that does not follow; an individual argument.

slippery slope

The assumption that once started, a situation will continue to its most extreme possible outcome. 

narration

To explain information about your topic as a series of events in story format.

cause-Effect

To explain what caused something to happen related to your topic

comparison-contrast

to show how two or more areas of your topic are similar or different or both 

definition

To define a word or concept about your topic using synonym, essential definition or extended definitions.

Description

To create a picture in words (vivid, specific, details) to help the reader visualize something a writer has seen, heard, or done.

Bandwagon 

to claim that because many people do it or believe it, it is true/right 

Hasty generalization

A generalization based on too little or unrepresentative information.