Study Notes on Argument Analysis
Essay Writing Guidelines
Write a full argument including three types of evidence and a visual text.
Suggested length: 500–700 words.
Revisit and revise drafts as needed.
Glossary of Argument Terms and Fallacies
Ad Hominem: Attacking the character of the opponent instead of the argument.
Ad Populum (Bandwagon): Arguing that because many people believe it, it must be true.
Appeal to False Authority: Citing individuals without expertise as authorities.
Argument: A reasoned inquiry leading to a conclusion.
Claim: A statement of the argument's main idea that is arguable.
Claim of Fact: Asserts something true or false.
Claim of Policy: Proposes a change.
Claim of Value: Argues something is good/bad.
Deduction: Reasoning from general to specific (Major Premise → Minor Premise → Conclusion).
Fallacies: Logical weaknesses in arguments.
Hasty Generalization: Conclusion reached with insufficient evidence.
Argument Structures
Classical Oration (Five Parts):
Introduction (exordium): Introduces topic.
Narration (narratio): Provides background/facts.
Confirmation (confirmatio): Major proof of the argument.
Refutation (refutatio): Addresses counterarguments.
Conclusion (peroratio): Summarizes and closes.
Closed Thesis: Lists main points in the statement.
Open Thesis: Does not list all points.
Logical Processes
Induction: Reasoning from specifics to general conclusions.
Syllogism: A form of deduction.
Toulmin Model Components
Backing: Support for assumptions.
Qualifier: Terms that temper the claim.
Rebuttal: Addresses objections.
Reservation: Explains conditions for the claims.
Warrant: Shared assumptions between speaker and audience.
Fallacies Highlighted
Either/Or (False Dilemma): Presents two extremes as the only options.
Faulty Analogy: Compares non-comparable situations.
Circular Reasoning: Rephrases claim as evidence.
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc: Assumes causation from correlation.
Straw Man: Misrepresents an argument to refute it easily.