Chapter 8

Question 1

Deductive argument

Answer 1

An argument that reasons from known premises to an inevitable conclusion

Question 2

Syllogism

Answer 2

The basic structure of a deductive argument that comes to an absolute conclusion

Question 3

Major premise

Answer 3

The first part of a syllogism, consisting of a general statement about the subject of your argument

Question 4

Minor premise

Answer 4

A statement about a specific case related to the general characteristics of the major premise

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

A statement that follows logically from the application of the generalization or factual statement included in the major premise to the specific object or case identified in the minor premise

Question 6

Categorical syllogism

Answer 6

A syllogism in which the argument is based on membership in a group

Question 7

Disjunctive syllogism

Answer 7

A syllogism in which the major premise includes two or more mutually exclusive alternatives

Question 8

Conditional syllogism

Answer 8

A syllogism in which the major premise contains a hypothetical condition and its outcome

Question 9

Antecedent

Answer 9

The hypothetical condition in the major premise of a conditional syllogism

Question 10

Consequent

Answer 10

The outcome of the hypothetical condition in the major premise of a conditional syllogism

Question 11

Valid argument

Answer 11

An argument is valid when the conclusion follows logically from the premises

Question 12

Sound argument

Answer 12

A valid argument that has true premises

Question 13

Enthymeme

Answer 13

A syllogism missing one or two of its parts

Question 14

Inductive argument

Answer 14

Reasoning from individual observations or events to conclude a general principle

Question 15

Reasoning by example

Answer 15

The process of inferring general conclusions and making general claims from specific cases

Question 16

Reasoning by analogy

Answer 16

When you compare two similar cases in order to argue that what is true in one case is also true in the other case

Question 17

Literal analogy

Answer 17

When the two cases being compared are classified in the same way

Question 18

Figurative analogy

Answer 18

When the two cases being compared are from completely different classifications

Question 19

Reasoning by cause

Answer 19

Arguments that claim one event or factor produces an effect

Question 20

Necessary cause

Answer 20

A condition that must be present for the effect to occur

Question 21

Sufficient cause

Answer 21

A condition that automatically produces the effect in question

Question 22

Kairos

Answer 22

A person’s ability to adapt to any occasion and deliver a message fit for that moment

Question 23

Begging-the-question fallacy

Answer 23

When a speaker presumes certain things are facts when they have not yet been proven to be truthful

Question 24

Non sequitur fallacy

Answer 24

When you make an unwarranted move from one idea to the next

Question 25

Slippery slope fallacy

Answer 25

A logical fallacy that assumes once an action begins it will lead, undeterred, to an eventual and inevitable conclusion

Question 26

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc fallacy

Answer 26

From the Latin for “after this, because of this;” assumes that because one event happened after another, then the preceding event causes the event that followed

Question 27

either-or fallacy

Answer 27

an argument in which you present two options and declare that one must be correct while the other must be incorrect

Question 28

red herring fallacy

Answer 28

when a speaker introduces an irrelevant issue or piece of evidence to divert attention from the subject of the speech

Question 29

ad populum fallacy

Answer 29

when we attempt to persuade people by arguing our position is reasonable because so many people are doing it or agree with it

Question 30

ad verecundium fallacy

Answer 30

an appeal for persuasion based on higher authority or tradition

Question 31

ad hominem fallacy

Answer 31

when speakers attack the person making the argument and not the argument itself

Question 32

straw man fallacy

Answer 32

when a speaker ignores the actual position of an opponent and substitutes it with a distorted and exaggerated position