Rhetoric Flashcards
Hasty Generlization
An inference drawn from insufficent evidence
Faulty Causality
Incorrect assumption that one event caused another event. Correlation does not imply causation.
Either/Or
Unfair oversimplification of an issue by providing only two options as a possible solution. “If you aren’t first, you’re last.”
Slippery Slope
Exaggeration of the likely consequences of an action, designed to show that a misstep today could result in a disaster in the future.o
Bandwagon
Arguments urging you to follow the same path that everyone else is taking. This technique is commonly used to sway two groups: teens and voters.
Sentimental Appeal
Playing on readers’ emotions to distract them from the facts.
Scare Tactics
Using fear to sway people by exaggerating possible dangers well beyond their statistical likelihood.
Appeal to False Authority
Presenting an unqualified person or institution as a source of credible information
Ad Hominem
In Latin, this means: to the man. When you attack a person’s character instead of the quality of his/her ideas. Tu quoque is a specific type of ad hominem when you basically call someone a hypocrite instead of debating his/her ideas.
Straw Man
Misrepresenting or twisting someone’s argument so its easier to attack and knock down.
SOAPSTONE
Subject, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Speaker, Tone
Ethos
An appeal to ethics and credibility
Pathos
An appeal to emotion
Logos
An appeal to logic
Rhetorical Appeals
Ethos, Pathos, Logos
