Non Fiction Notes

refutation

to introduce reasons why others believe differently and show why you do not find these reasons convincing

concession

agreeing with a point raised on another side of the issue (the yes, but argument)

the emotional appeal

involves using language that will stir the feelings of your audeince

logical fallacies

lapses in logic that reflect upon your ability to think clearly, and therefore they weaken your argument

hasty generalizations

bases a conclusion on too little evidence

non sequitur

“it does not follow.” It draws unwarranted conclusions from seeming ample evidence

stereotyping

attaches one or more characteristics to a group or one of its members based on no evidence

card stacking

the write only presents part of the available evidence on a topic, deliberately omitting essential information that would later the picture completely.

either/or fallacy

assets that only two choices exist when, in fact, several options are possible

begging the question

asserts the truth of some unproven statement

the argument ad hominem

an argument that attacks an individual rather than that individual’s opinions or qualifications

appeal to the crowd

plays on the irrational fears and prejudices of readers

guilt by association

points out some similarity or connection between one person or group and another. it tags the sins, real or imagined, of the second

post hoc, ergo propter hoc

“after this, therefore because if this.” Assumes that because one event follows another, the first cased the other

formal diction

dignified, serious, used for important political, business, and academic occasions; marked by abstract and multisyllabic words; no slang or contractions; long sentences and deliberately varied sentence structure

informal diction

resembles orderly, intelligent conversation; marked by relatively ordinary words; may include contractions, slang, and first-person pronouns; shorter sentences and less varied sentence structure

formal-informal diction

a mix of formal and informal elements, widely used in modern/contemporary articles and books

technical diction

used by specialists writing for others in the same field, uses specialized words that may be unfamiliar to a general audience

colloquial/slang

two similar types of informal diction (colloquial language and slang)

colloquial language

characteristic of informal writing and speaking (often specific to a certain geographical region= “y’all”)

slang

informal, newly coined words and expressions or old expressions with new meaning

tone

keeps writer’s personality and opinion out of the message; let your attitude toward the topic determine your tone-satirical, cynical, serious, playful, etc.

didactic

tending to give instruction or advice, even when it is not welcome or not needed

sarcastic

characterized by words that mean the opposite of what they seem to say and are intended to mock or deride

candid

honest or direct in a way that people find either refreshing or distasteful

contemptuous

feeling, expressing, or demonstrating a strong dislike or utter lac of respect for somebody or something

provocative

deliberately aimed at excited or annoying people

apologetic

defending something in speech or writing

poignant

causing a sharp sense of sadness, pity, or regret

indignant

angry or annoyed at the apparent unfairness or unreasonableness, or something

inflammatory

liable to arise strong emotions, especially anger

insipid

dull because lacking n character and lively qualities

pretentious

acting as though more important or special than is warranted, or appearing to have an unrealistically high self-image

acerbic

bitter or sharp in tone, taste, or manner