Final Flashcards
Argument
A series of statements intended to justify some opinion; usually has a minimum of three parts
Claim
A statement to be justified or upheld. It is the main idea or proposition that you plan to present in an argument
Counterargument
An alternative interpretation of evidence that challenges rather than supports a claim
Conclusion
Derives logically from the major and minor propositions
Audience
Who the speaker/writer is trying to reach
Warrant
A stated or unstated belief, rule, or principle that underlies an argument
Context
The time and place of the rhetorical piece. What is happening in the world as it relates to the subject of the speech or the speaker/writer
Evidence
The part of the argument that supports the minor propositions; based on accurate and true facts, examples, statistics, or on accepted opinions
Fallacy
A weak interpretation of evidence
Tone
The speaker/author’s attitude toward the subject
Choices
The rhetorical choices that a speaker or writer makes
Purpose
What the speaker/writer is hoping to accomplish. The reasoning behind the rhetorical topic
Refutation
The acknowledgement and handling of opposing viewpoints
Speaker
The person writing or speaking about a rhetorical topic
Fact
A verifiable statement
Ethos
An appeal based on a speaker or writer’s character, ethics or morals
Pathos
An appeal based on emotion
Logos
An appeal based on logical reasoning or facts
Exigence
The spark or catalyst that moved the speaker/writer to act/write
Grounds
The evidence and reasons presented to support your claim
Slippery Slope
Suggests that taking a minor action will lead to major and ridiculous consequences
Ex- If you run in the backyard, then you will trip over a rock and hit your head
Either or Fallacy
When an argument suggests that there are ONLY 2 options or potential outcomes.
Ex- Get the vaccine, or you are selfish
Appeals to Authority
“A famous person believes it so it must be true”
Ex- Taylor swift believes that cake is healthy, so it must be right
Hasty Generalization
Making a rushed conclusion without considering all of the variables
Ex- (stereotypes) You are mean because you live in New York
Faulty Causality
The assumption that just because one event follows another, the second event is caused by the first event.
Ex- It rained because I just washed my car
Ad Hominem
Attacking a person’s character or credentials instead of addressing the real argument they’re making
Ex- People hating Trump so much that they can’t hear the truth that he says
S
Speaker, Who is the speaker/writer? What do we know about them? What can you tell or what do you know about the speaker that helps you understand the point of view expressed?
P
Purpose, What is the speaker/writer hoping to accomplish? What is the reason behind this piece? What do they want the audience to do after having listened?
A
Audience, Who is the speaker/writer trying to reach? How do we know? Do they indicate a specific audience? What assumptions exist in the text about the intended audience?
C
Context, What is the time and place of this piece? What is happening in the world as it relates to the subject of the speech or the speaker/writer?
E
Exigence, What was the spark or catalyst that moved the speaker/writer to act/write? How did that event impact the speaker/writer?
C
Choices, What are the rhetorical choices that the speaker/writer makes in the speech? Think about overall structure, devices, diction, syntax, etc.
A
Appeals, Which of the three rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, pathos) are present in the text? Where? Why?
T
Tone, What is the speaker/author’s attitude toward the subject? Is the tone the same throughout the whole piece? Where does it shift? What evidence is there to demonstrate the tone?
