argumentative and fallacies

argument from analogy

frequently ignores important dissimilarities between the two things being compared

opinions

interpretations of facts

plagiarism

presenting words or ideas of other as if they were your own

undistributed

cover only some of the items in the class it denotes

post hoc reasoning

assumes that because two events occur close together in time, the first must be the cause of the second

claim

main point of the essay

representative

represents a full range of opinions, not just one side

persuasion

attempts to get an audience to adopt a belief or change a course of action

inductive leap

crucial step from the evidence to the conclusion

relevant

information that relates to your argument

antithesis

statement that asserts the opposite position

major premise

premise that is a general statement

it does not follow

statement does not logically flow from a previous statement

begging the question

assumes in the premise what the arguer should be trying to prove in the conclusion

skeptical

open to idea but needs to be convinced

facts

statements of truth

toulmin logic

consists of claim, grounds, warrant

warrant

inference that connects the claim to the grounds

straw man

distorting an opponent’s argument to make it seem weaker than it actually is

rogerian argument

emphasizes common ground and seeking mutually satisfying solutions cooperative relationships

false dilemma

writer suggests that only two alternatives exist even though there may be others

concede

to admit that an argument is valid

valid

conclusion flows logically from the major and minor to the conclusion

minor premise

premise that is related but a more specific statement

sweeping generalization

conclusion reached on too little evidence, also called jumping to conclusion

equivocation

meaning of a key term changes at some point in an argument

refutation

dealing with the opposing argument

red herring

focus of the argument is shifted to divert the audience from the actual issue

common knowledge

information easily found in multiple sources

you also

asserts that an opponent’s argument has no values because he/she does not follow his/her own advice

personal attack

tries to divert attention from the facts of an argument by attacking the motives or character of the arguer

syllogism

structure of deduction (major, minor, conclusion)

evidence

facts and opinions in support of your position

deduction

proceeds from a general premise to a specific conclusion

induction

proceeds from individual observations and specific pieces of information to a general conclusion

purpose

what you expect your argument to accomplish and how you wish the audience to respond

debatable

states a position that at least some people will disagree with

distributed

covers all items in the class it denotes

misleading statistics

when numbers are misrepresented or distorted in an attempt to influence an audience

appeal to doubtful authority

when individuals are cited in an argument who have no expertise in the topic

grounds

evidence used as support for the claim

fallacies

illogical statements that may sound reasonable or true but are actually deceptive and dishonest

argumentation

primary purpose is to establish that certain ideas are valid and others are not

sufficient

using enough facts opinions, examples to support your argument

dual challenge

create a plan to appeal to those members of your audience who are both neutral and hostile

sound

syllogism is both logical and true

jumping to conclusion

a gap between evidence and conclusion is too great

ethos

appeal to credibility

pathos

appeal to emotions

logos

appeal to logic