Untitled Flashcards Set

Argument from Analogy

Frequently ignores important dissimilarities between the two things being compared.

Plagiarism

Presenting words or ideas of others as if they were your own.

Undistributed

Covers 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

The 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 premises to the conclusion.

Minor Premise

Premise that is a related but 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 value 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 Condition

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 that is both logical and true.

Jumping to Conclusion

Gap between evidence and conclusion is too great.

Ethos

Appeal to credibility.

Logos

Appeal to logic.

Pathos

Appeal to emotion.