(ENG4U1AP) Argumentative Strategies

Question 1

Define:
Appeal to Authority

Answer 1

Relies on experts to produce an objective analysis on a given idea, situation, or product

Question 2

Are the “authorities” in Appeal to Authority real?

Answer 2

Often times, they are not real (they are actors)

Question 3

Define:
Argument by Consequence

Answer 3

Logical form of argumentation that involves the “if…then…therefore” structure

Question 4

Define:
Appeal to Morality

Answer 4

Appeals to people’s sense of right and wrong

Question 5

What form does “appeal to morality” use?

Answer 5

Employs a concept/plan form

Question 6

What form of emotion/subjectivity does “appeal to morality” use?

Answer 6

ETHOS

Question 7

How is “appeal to morality” different from “appeal to emotion”?

Answer 7

Unlike “appeal to emotion”, “appeal to morality” uses a concept or plan

Question 8

Define:
Appeal to Common Belief/Prejudice

Answer 8

Generally involves using a widely held bias or prejudice to support and argument (e.x. “Everyone knows that”)

Question 9

Give an example of a widely held bias/prejudice

Answer 9

Various concepts used by politicians

Question 10

Why are common beliefs/prejudices used?

Answer 10

Using this causes a build-up of social pressure

Question 11

Define:
Argument from Ignorance

Answer 11

Appeals to hypothetical situations where it’s impossible to know the outcome since no trials have been attempted

Question 12

What does a “argument from ignorance” argue?

Answer 12

It argues that we should give the idea/policy/plan a chance before presuming that it will fail (“We don’t know what will happen…”)

Question 13

Define:
Argument by Definition

Answer 13

Using definition(s) to create terms/parameters of the debate (anchors a definition, using it as the theoretical foundation upon which all else will be measured)

Question 14

Define:
Appeal to Emotion

Answer 14

Uses arguments that tug at the heart strings or generate strong emotional responses (“Who do we feel bad for?”)

Question 15

Define:
Use of Anecdote

Answer 15

Uses various statistics (figures, charts, graphs, percentages, poll results etc.) to convince reader

Question 16

Why are statistics often used?

Answer 16

Statistics are often used to issue proof that’s meant to be received as “absolute” and “empirical”

Question 17

True or False:
Statistics cannot be manipulated

Answer 17

False, statistics can be manipulated to achieve a desired result

Question 18

Define:
Use of Anecdote

Answer 18

Uses a personal story or experience to support a point of view; frequently used at beginning of essays/arguments

Question 19

Define:
Argument by Example

Answer 19

Providing an example in order to create a precedent or illustrate a point (draws conclusions from a point to apply it to its own situation)

Question 20

Define:
Argument ad Hominem

Answer 20

Strategy of abuse, involves maligning an individual and is useful in appealing to emotional people who already have a strong dislike for a particular idea

Question 21

What does “ad Hominem” mean?

Answer 21

“At the man”

Question 22

Define:
Argument by Analogy

Answer 22

Involves drawing multiple parallels, between two examples for the purpose of explanation or classification

Question 23

State the argumentative strategy:
“Wayne Gretzky on Canadian Sovereignty: as a famous hockey player, Gretzky, is not in a position to provide expert commentary on politics”

Answer 23

Appeal to Authority

Question 24

State the argumentative strategy:
“Everyone knows that politicians are corrupt, always on the take, always expecting a kick-back”

Answer 24

Appeal to Common Belief

Question 25

State the argumentative strategy:
“When innocent children, tiny, helpless infants, are allowed to suffer for 12 hours before receiving treatment at one of our city’s major hospitals, we know that there is something seriously wrong with out city’s medical services”

Answer 25

Appeal to Emotion

Question 26

State the argumentative strategy:
“It is wrong to kill. Executing a murderer does not redress a wrong but constitutes committing the same sin twice”

Answer 26

Appeal to Morality

Question 27

State the argumentative strategy:
“That most despicable of 20th century tyrants, a vicious, petty little man who surrounded himself with craven, fawning underlings, Hitler was responsible for the greatest mass murder of the last 100 years”

Answer 27

Argument ad Hominem

Question 28

State the argumentative strategy:
“Just as the dog which is teased grows vicious, so the child who is taunted grows cruel”

Answer 28

Argument by Analogy

Question 29

State the argumentative strategy:
“If students make rough outlines for their writing, they will organize their ideas more carefully and produce better essays”

Answer 29

Argument by Consequence

Question 30

State the argumentative strategy:
“A fetus is defined as ‘a young human that has developed within its mother’s body.’ As such, it may be held that ‘development’ occurs from the moment of conception. As a living creature with the potential to become a productive human being, the act of destroying a fetus is akin to murder”

Answer 30

Argument by Definition

Question 31

State the argumentative strategy:
“Jane’s mother lets her stay out all night. I should be allowed to stay out all night”

Answer 31

Argument by Example

Question 32

State the argumentative strategy:
“If we are to create peace on earth, we must get rid of all weapons. If every nation did this, then we would all be on equal footing and nations would not feel threatened: then peace could happen”

Answer 32

Argument from Ignorance

Question 33

State the argumentative strategy:
“Since medical expenses have increased by 4% annually since 1999, and federal funding for medical care has decreased approximately 2% annually between the years 1997 and 1997, Ontario has clearly suffered a funding crunch that desperately needs to be remedied”

Answer 33

Use of Statistics

Question 34

State the argumentative strategy:
“Elizabeth Leighton, the summer she worked for a family in Southern Ontario, was never called by her name but was always referred to as “the hired girl”. Stung by this label, which she felt denied her fundamental individuality and value as a human being, she determined that she would work for the rest of her life to support the rights of the working class”

Answer 34

Use of Anecdote