APLang Argument and Rhetoric

Audience-Based Reasons

Justifications and evidence tailored to the specific values, beliefs, knowledge, and demographics of the intended audience to make an argument persuasive

Enthymeme

A word for a claim and its stated reason taken together by omitting things that are understood or can be inferred by the audience

Ethos

A rhetorical appeal that establishes a writer's credibility, authority, and trustworthiness to persuade an audience

Logos

A rhetorical appeal to logic, reason, and intellect, commonly used in writing to persuade audiences through objective evidence, facts, statistics, and sound structure

Pathos

A rhetorical technique used to persuade or engage an audience by evoking strong emotions rather than relying solely on logic

Rationalization

The cognitive process or technique of constructing plausible, logical-sounding excuses to justify questionable behaviors, decisions, or emotions

Claim

The main point, conclusion, or thesis statement the arguer wants the audience to accept

Stated Reason

The foundation or evidence that supports the claim

Warrant

Assumption that an enthymeme implies

Grounds

Support for the stated reason

Backing

Support for the warrant

Conditions Of Rebuttal

Consideration of opposing arguments; May result in placing a qualifier on the claim

Qualifier

A statement that expresses the degree of force or certainty of the claim

Sufficiency

Is there enough evidence?

Typicality

Is the chosen evidence representative and typical?

Accuracy

Is the evidence accurate and up-to-date?

Relevance

Is the evidence relevant to the claim?