rhetorical list three Flashcards
Ad Hominem Fallacy
A fallacy of logic in which a person’s character or motive is attacked instead of the person’s argument.
Example: Demeaning a teacher’s decision on grading by insulting her intelligence, e.g., “Well, it’s not like you graduated from the best school so I can see why you wouldn’t know how to properly grade a writing assignment.”
Ad Populum Fallacy
A fallacy in logic in which the widespread occurrence of something is assumed to make it true or right.
Example: Black Panther must be a great movie! Mentalfloss.com says, “…record-breaking opening weekend…top 20 highest-grossing movies of all time.”
Appeal to Authority
Citation of information from people recognized for their special knowledge of a subject for the purpose of strengthening a speaker’s or writer’s arguments.
Example: Dr. Oz, an American cardiothoracic surgeon, author, and television personality, went on the Oprah Winfrey Network to speak about drinking green juices and shared his knowledge of fibrous nutrition.
Argument (Argumentation)
Exploration of a problem by investigating all sides of it; persuasion through reason.
Example: “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” –Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.
Begging the Question
A logical fallacy in which a statement or claim is assumed to be true without evidence other than the statement or claim itself.
Example: 1. The Bible is the infallible word of God. 2. The Bible says that God exists. 3. Therefore, God exists.
Chronological Ordering
Arrangement in the order in which things occur; may move from past to present or in reverse chronological order, from present to past.
Example: First, Then, Lastly.
Classification (as a means of ordering)
Arrangement of objects according to class.
Example: Media classified as print, television, and radio.
What is Deduction (Deductive Reasoning)
A form of reasoning that begins with a generalization, then applies the generalization to a specific case or cases; opposite to induction.
Example: All objects made of iron rust. The hammer is made of iron. The hammer was left outside in the rain; therefore, it rusted.
Digression
A temporary departure from the main subject in speaking or writing.
Example: The author was describing his parents when he began to reminisce about his childhood.
False Dilemma
A fallacy in which two choices are presented yet more exist; false dilemmas are usually characterized by “either this or that” language but can also be characterized by omissions of choices.
Example: A father speaking to his son says, “Are you going to college and make something of yourself, or are you going to end being an unemployable bum like me?”
Induction (Inductive Reasoning)
A form of reasoning which goes from specific to generalization; it is the opposite of deduction which goes generalization to specific.
Example: Mrs. Stultz is a teacher. Mrs. Stultz likes cats. Therefore, all teachers like cats.
Non Sequitur
A statement that does not follow logically from what preceded it.
Example: Kittens are cute. This is why we should all be Catholic.
Persuasion
Taking a single position for the purpose of getting others to accept that position; may appeal to emotion or reason.
Example: Everyone should convert to vegetarianism; otherwise, one hates animals.
Post Hoc Fallacy
This fallacy in logic occurs when the writer assumes that an incident that precedes another is the cause of the second incident.
Example: Governor Peterson began his first term in January. Three months later, the state suffered severe economic depression. Therefore, Governor Peterson caused the state’s depression.
Syllogism
A form of reasoning in which two statements or premises are made and a logical conclusion is drawn from them; a form of deductive reasoning.
Example: Major Premise: J and G Construction builds unsafe buildings. Minor Premise: J and G Construction built the Tower hotel. Conclusion: The Tower Hotel is an unsafe building.
