Argument Terms and Fallacies : Part 2

Question 1

Deduction

Answer 1

A logical process whereby one reaches a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth and applying it to a specific case. Example : All apples are fruits, all fruits grow on trees; therefore, all apples grow on trees.

Question 2

Either/or ( false dilemma )

Answer 2

A fallacy in which the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.

Question 3

Faulty analogy

Answer 3

A fallacy that occurs when an analogy compares two things that are not comparable.

Question 4

First-hand evidence

Answer 4

Evidence based on something the writer knows, whether it’s from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events.

Question 5

Hasty generalization

Answer 5

A fallacy in which a faulty conclusion is reached because of inadequate evidence. Example : My father smoked four packs of cigarettes a day since age fourteen and lived until age sixty-nine. Therefore, smoking really can’t be that bad for you.

Question 6

Induction

Answer 6

From the Latin inducere, “to lead into”; a logical process whereby the writer reasons from particulars to universals, using specific cases in order to draw a conclusion, which is also called a generalization. Example : I counted five or six people with green eyes; therefore all the people have green eyes.

Question 7

Logical fallacy

Answer 7

Logical fallacies are potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an argument.

Question 8

Open thesis

Answer 8

One that does not list all the points the writer intends to cover in an essay.

Question 9

Fallacy ( logical fallacy )

Answer 9

Logical fallacies are potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an argument. Example : You can’t prove that there are not Martians living in caves under the surface of Mars, so it is reasonable for me to believe there are.

Question 10

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer 10

This fallacy is Latin for “after which therefore because of which”, meaning that it is incorrect to always claim that something is a cause just because it happened earlier.

Question 11

Qualifier

Answer 11

In the Toulmin model, the qualifier uses words like usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, and most likely to temper the claim, making it less absolute.

Question 12

Quantitative evidence

Answer 12

Quantitative evidence includes things that can be measure, cited, counted, or otherwise represented in numbers. Example : Pie charts.

Question 13

Rebuttal

Answer 13

In the Toulmin model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.

Question 14

Reservation

Answer 14

In the Toulmin model, a reservation explains the terms and conditions necessitated by the qualifier.

Question 15

Rogerian arguments

Answer 15

Developed by the psychiatrist Carl Rogers, Rogerian arguments are based on the assumption that having a full understanding of an opposing position is essential to responding to it persuasively and refuting it in a way that is accommodating rather than alienating.

Question 16

Second- hand evidence

Answer 16

Evidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation.

Question 17

Syllogism

Answer 17

A logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion. Example : “All love is wonder; if we justly do
Account her wonderful, why not lovely too?”

Question 18

Straw man

Answer 18

A fallacy that occurs when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or oversimplified example in order to ridicule or refute an idea. Example : “Senator Jones says that we should not fund the attack submarine program. I disagree entirely. I can’t understand why he wants to leave us defenseless like that.”

Question 19

Toulmin model

Answer 19

An approach to analyzing and constructing arguments created by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin in his book The Uses of Argument.

Question 20

Warrant

Answer 20

In the Toulmin model, the warrant expresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience. Example : A hearing aid helps most people to hear better.