LR Argument Archetypes

Argument & Rebuttal Archetypes

Explain Curious Fact (A)

A fact is presented in the Evidence, and the Conclusion offers an Explanation

Common Evidence facts are Correlations, Differences, and Surprising phenomena

Anti-Causal (A)

A Conclusion that X does not affect Y is based on evidence that X didn’t fully solve a problem or that a group that did X had the same outcome as a group that didn’t.

Plan / Rec / Goal (A)

Concludes that you should / shouldn’t do X in order to achieve a particular goal, or that plan X will achieve a particular goal.

Net Effect (A)

Evidence is presented that something has 1 positive / negative outcome, and a conclusion is drawn that states or assumes that thing is net positive / net negative.

Ruling Out Options (A)

Evidence is presented that rules out one or more options, and a Conclusion is drawn that states another option (or set of options) is the only one remaining.

Analogy (A)

A Conclusion is drawn about one thing based on its similarity to another thing.

Sample (A)

Evidence is data from a study or survey, and what’s true from that data is projected onto a larger set of entities

Example (A)

A specific example of a more general claim is offered as Evidence that the general claim is true

Applies a Principle (A)

A rule (aka a General Principle) is stated in the Evidence, and the Conclusion applies that rule to a specific case.

Counterexample (R)

A general claim is rebutted by offering a non-conforming counterexample.

Attacks an Assumption (R)

A rebuttal that points out an Assumption that the opposing point hinges on.

Overlooked Objection (R)

A rebuttal that raises an Objection that the opposing point overlooked, often an alternative to the opposing conclusion.

Crazy Consequences (R)

AKA Reduction to the Absurd, a rebuttal that shows the consequences of accepting the opposing reasoning are illogical or otherwise unacceptable.

Defines/Distinguishes (R)

A rebuttal that defines a key term or distinguishes 2 things the opposing argument conflated.

Alternative Interpretation (R)

A rebuttal that offers an alternative interpretation of the events in the opposing arg.

Overriding Consideration (R)

A rebuttal that rejects the opposing conclusion because of an overriding consideration they believe to be more important than their opponent’s evidence.