English test 2 Flashcards
The purpose of commentary after a quote
Better your argument
States the argument’s main idea and previews main points.
Closed thesis
Does NOT list all of the author’s points.
Open thesis
A summary of a counter argument. Usually but or although precedes the writer’s opinion.
Counterargument thesis
The purpose of thesis’
Laying out main points and stance on the topic
Argument
Claim
Supporting details
Evidence
Rhetorical appeals and argument
Reasoning
What are topic sentences
Points of the argument
Where do topic sentences go
At the beginning
Purpose of topic sentences
introduce topic
Making assumptions based on too small of a sample.
Hasty generalization
Assuming that because B comes after A, A caused B. Correlation isn’t the same as causation.
Post hoc (false cause)
If two things that are being compared aren’t really alike in relevant respects, the analogy is weak and fallacies.
Fault analogy
Citing a supposed authority who really isn’t an expert in the area under discussion.
Appeal to false authority
THe arguer’s reason for accepting in the argument is that many or most people do.
Bandwagon
Focuses attention on people rather than arguments.
Ad hominem
The arguer sets up a weak version of the opponent’s position and knocks it down.
Straw man
Partway through an argument, the arguer goes off on a tangent, raising a side that distracts the audience from what’s really at stake.
Red herring
The arguer sets up the situation to look like there are only two choices. The arguer then eliminates one choice, so it seems that we’re left with only one option: the arguer wanted in the first place.
Either/or (false dilemma)
Repeating the claim as many as a way to provide evidence, resulting in no evidence at all.
Circular reasoning
