Chapter 3-Analyzing Arguments

Question 1

Ad populum

Answer 1

Also known as the bandwagon appeal. This fallacy occurs when evidence boils down to “everybody’s doing it, so it much be a good thing to do.”

Question 2

Appeal to false authority

Answer 2

This fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise to speak on an issue is cited as an authority.

Question 3

Argument

Answer 3

A process of reasoned inquiry; a persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and considered movement from a claim to a conclusion.

Question 4

Backing

Answer 4

In the Toulmin model, backing consists of further assurances or data without which the assumption lacks authority.

Question 5

Begging the question

Answer 5

A fallacy in which a claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt. It “begs” a question whether the support itself is sound.

Question 6

Circular reasoning

Answer 6

A fallacy in which the writer repeats the claim as a way to provide evidence.

Question 7

Claim

Answer 7

Also called an assertion or a proposition, a claim states the argument’s main idea or position. A claim differs from a topic or subject in that a claim has to be arguable.

Question 8

Claim of fact

Answer 8

A claim of fact asserts that something is true or not true.

Question 9

Claim of policy

Answer 9

A claim of policy proposes a change.

Question 10

Claim of value

Answer 10

A claim of value argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong.

Question 11

Introduction (exordium)

Answer 11

Part of the classical oration. Introduces the reader to the subject under discussion.

Question 12

Narration (narratio)

Answer 12

Part of the classical oration. Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand or establishes why the subject is a problem that needs addressing.

Question 13

Confirmation (confirmatio)

Answer 13

Part of the classical oration. Usually the major part of the text, the confirmation includes the proof needed to make the writer’s case.

Question 14

Refutation (refutatio)

Answer 14

Part of the classical oration. Addresses the counterargument. It is a bridge between the writer’s proof and conclusion.

Question 15

Conclusion (peroratio)

Answer 15

Part of the classical oration. Brings the essay to a satisfying close.

Question 16

Closed thesis

Answer 16

A statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews the major points the writer intends to make.

Question 17

Deduction

Answer 17

A logical process whereby one reaches a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise) and applying it to a specific case (a minor premise).

Question 18

Either/or (false dilemma)

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Faulty analogy

Answer 19

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

Question 20

First-hand evidence

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Hasty generalization

Answer 21

A fallacy in which a faulty conclusion is reached because of inadequate evidence.

Question 22

Induction

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Logical fallacy

Answer 23

Potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an argument. They often arise from a failure to make a logical connection between the claim and the evidence used to support it.

Question 24

Open thesis

Answer 24

An open thesis is one that does not list all the points the writer intends to cover in an essay.

Question 25

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer 25

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. One may loosely summarize this fallacy by saying that correlation does not imply causation.

Question 26

Qualifier

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Quantitative evidence

Answer 27

Quantitative evidence includes things that can be measured, cited, counted, or otherwise represented in numbers.

Question 28

Rebuttal

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Reservation

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Rogerian arguments

Answer 30

Developed by 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 31

Second-hand evidence

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Straw man

Answer 32

A fallacy that occurs when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or oversimplified example in order to ridicule and refute an idea.

Question 33

Syllogism

Answer 33

A logical structure that uses the major and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion.

Question 34

Toulmin model

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Warrant

Answer 35

In the Toulmin model, the warrant expresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience.

Question 36

Ad hominem

Answer 36

Latin for “to the man,” this fallacy refers to the specific diversionary tactic of switching the argument from the issue at hand to the character of the other speaker.