Argument Basics
the author’s or speaker’s position on a topic
What is a claim?
repeating words or phrases for an intentional purpose
What is repetition?
assumes one simple cause leads to a certain situation
What is single cause?
The author’s attitude towards the subject
What is tone?
"All of the kids are doing it, you should too!"
What is bandwagon?
A statement that explains a claim's validity
What are reasons?
A question asked to have the audience thinking rather than to get an answer
What is a rhetorical question?
when the end of the argument comes back to the beginning without actually proving it
What is circular reasoning?
Joining an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses
What is a complex sentence?
“If you make a B on this exam, you can kiss college and a career goodbye.”
What is slippery slope?
Response to a counterclaim that further proves the original claim
What is the rebuttal?
use of the word you to speak directly to readers and make them feel connected to the text and author
What is direct address?
Using language with strong connotations by assuming the audience already agrees.
What is loaded/charged language?
Looking at the elements of something in detail
What is analysis?
"The new building in town is the worst design. No one will like it."
What is overgeneralization?
the support that PROVES the claim to be true
What is evidence?
traces how an event or solution can have different/multiple effects
What is cause and effect analysis?
can be used to present information falsely for a group of people or subjects
What is sweeping generalization/stereotype?
A group of words that look like a sentence but don’t actually make sense as an independent clause
What is fragment?
"The brown, overgrown yard sat beside the house with a green, landscaped yard."
Juxtaposition
An oppositional viewpoint that contradicts the original claim.
What is a counterclaim?
a placing of extremely different ideas side by side.
What is juxtaposition?
suggesting that one thing will drastically lead to another, oftentimes with disastrous results.
What is slippery slope?
stirs feelings rather than prompts them to think critically
What is an emotional appeal?
"Next time you are thinking about using social media, be careful to take safety precautions!"
What is call to action?