ASU ENG 201 Midterm

Rhetoric

A faculty of finding the available means of persuasion.

Analysis

Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

Logical Fallacy

A flaw in the structure of a deductive argument that makes it useless.

Classical Argument

Follows a strict, linear structure with clearly defined sections.

Contemporary Argument

May be more flexible in organization depending on context and desired effect.

Claim

A statement that someone says is true, or a demand for something believed to be due.

Deductive Reasoning

A logical process that can only lead to a single conclusion, often using a top-down approach.

Inductive Reasoning

A logical process that allows for more variability and more than one possible conclusion.

Syllogism

A logical argument that uses a major premise and a minor premise to arrive at a conclusion.

Enthymeme

A logical statement (syllogism) with an implied premise.

Evidence

The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.

Qualifiers

Words or phrases that modify the meaning of another word, limiting or enhancing its meaning.

Ethos

An appeal to ethics and credibility.

Logos

An appeal to logic and reason.

Pathos

An appeal to emotion.

Kiaros

An appeal to timeliness.

Telos

A term referring to purpose or attitude.

Hasty Generalization

A conclusion that is not justified by logical evidence (Ex: All sports car drivers are so aggressive)

Strawman Fallacy

Changing an opponent's argument to something they didn't say to gain an advantage.

Appeal to Ignorance

Assumes a claim is true or false because there is no evidence to the contrary.

False Analogy

Assumption that because two things are alike in some respects, they are alike in others.

Either… Or Fallacy

The suggestion that only two alternatives exist when in fact there are more.

Causal Fallacy (Post Hoc)

Assuming one event caused another because it occurred earlier.

Circular Reasoning

An argument that restates the point instead of providing evidence.

Slippery Slope Fallacy

Assumption that if one thing happens, terrible events will follow.

Bandwagon Appeal (Ad Populum)

Claim that an idea should be accepted because a large number of people believe it.

Ad Hominem

An attack on the person proposing an argument rather than on the argument itself.

Red Herring

An argument that focuses on an irrelevant issue to detract attention from the real issue.

Appeal to Authority

Arguing that an appeal is valid because an 'expert' supports it, despite lack of actual expertise.

5 Canons of Rhetoric

1. Invention, 2. Arrangement, 3. Style, 4. Memory, 5. Delivery.

Plato's Theory of Forms

Asserts that ultimate reality exists beyond the physical world and knowledge comes from abstract thinking.

Aristotle's view on knowledge

Believed that knowledge comes from observing and studying the physical world.

Cicero's beliefs

Emphasized natural law, importance of education, and balance of political power.

Sophists

Itinerant teachers in ancient Greece who specialized in rhetoric and public speaking.

Relativism vs Universalism

Relativism focuses on winning the argument; Universalism aims for a universal idea of truth.

Toulmin Structure

Builds a logical argument by outlining a claim, supporting evidence (grounds), and reasoning (warrant).

Rogerian Structure

Prioritizes finding common ground with opposing viewpoints to build consensus.