Argument Techniques Flashcards
comparison between two things that helps us draw conclusions about their similarities
Analogy
Analogy Effects
- explains a complex point in more familiar points
- can help to make the contention look simple and obvious by linking it to something we know well
a brief personal account or story
Anecdote
Anecdote Effects
- often entertaining or humorous
- personal angle engages the reader
- as a ‘true story’, it carries weight with the readers
engages with people’s desire to be progressive and part of the in-crowd
Appeal to being modern and up to date
Appeal to Being Modern and Up to Date Effects
- suggests that the new is always better than the old
- appeals to the desire to be though of as ‘ahead of the pack’ or ‘on-trend’
based on the belief that traditional family arrangements are the best foundation for individuals and society
Appeal to Family Values
Appeal to Family Values Effects
- leads the reader to view traditional families as the most desirable arrangement
- positions the reader to feel that other arrangements threaten the ‘‘moral fabric’ of society
plays on people’s tendency to react emotionally when their safety, security, country or loved ones are threatened
Appeal to Fear
Appeal to Fear Effects
- usually works by portraying an extreme case scenario as highly probable
- inclines readers to agree to proposed solutions to allay their fears
uses people’s desire to belong to a group to persuade them to agree with a viewpoint or take action
Appeal to Group Loyalty
Appeal to Group Loyalty Effects
- can play on people’s guilt, sense of obligation, fear sentimentality
- convinces people that the interests of the group require their support
- can also appeal to the belief that ‘little people’ can make a difference
relates to people’s concern about their financial wellbeing
Appeal to the Hip-Pocket Nerve
Appeal to the Hip-Pocket Nerve Effects
- provokes strong emotions, such as outrage at being taken advantage of
- positions readers to feel indignant about those who want to raise prices and suspicious of their motives
engages with people belief that everyone deserves fair treatment
Appeal to Justice
Appeal to Justice Effects
- positions the reader to agree that the punishment should fit the crime
- aroused anger at a perceived injustice
draws on national pride and people’s loyalty to their country
Appeal to Patriotism
Appeal to Patriotism Effects
- positions readers to feel that it would be disloyal to their country to disagree with the writer
- arouses strong emotions of pride and loyalty
- can sometimes be used to arouse anger, guilt and fear
engages with people’s feelings that their interests should be placed ahead of others
Appeal to Self-Interest
Appeal to Self-Interest Effects
- often divides people into ‘them’ and ‘us’
- suggests that the interests of others are in competition with and threaten those of the reader
places a high value on the past and ones heritage; suggests that abandoning tradition is damaging to society
Appeal to Tradition and Custom
Appeal to Tradition and Custom Effects
- encourages the reader to resist change and to feel that links with the past should be retained
- sometimes romanticises the past and rejects modern ways of doing things
linking an outcome to a particular set of events or decisions
Cause and Effect
Cause and Effect Effects
-gives the impression that a particular situation, fact or action is a direct result of another, which may or may not actually have been the cause
facts, information or expert opinions used to support an argument
Evidence
Evidence Effects
-gives the writer’s argument more credibility as it is apparently objective and/or supported by experts
the use of evidence or deduction to support a clear argument
Reason and Logic
Reason and Logic Effects
- creates a credible argument by offering evidence and strong connections between the contention and the evidence
- makes the writer seem more knowledgeable and their opinion seem well thought through and researched
using logical sounding arguments. Predicting the undesirable effects of logical consequences
Appeals to the Readers Sense of Logic and Reason
Appeals to the Readers Sense of Logic and Reason Effects
-readers who regard themselves as logical thinkers might be attracted to the argument
using the results of expert or scientific research, government enquiries
Use of Statistics
Use of Statistics Effects
- provides specific evidence to justify a POV or contention
- readers are likely to regard statistics as objective evidence
using expert evidence, research and opinion. Referring to well known and respected supporters.
Reference to Authority
Reference to Authority Effects
- the use of expert evidence justifies the argument
- readers are more likely to accept expert evidence or opinion
