Argumentative Texts
Argument Terms
Appeals
Rhetorical Devices
Logical Fallacies
100

Statements that justify or explain the claim.

Reasons

100

Statement that can be proved true by at least one reliable source. May include statistics, details about historical events, and scientific information.

Fact

100

Appeals to the audience’s reason, building up logical arguments.

Logos

100

A question asked for effect or to make a point, not to elicit a direct answer. It encourages the audience to think.

Rhetorical Question

100

A statement that is given as support but is really an error in reasoning.

Logical Fallacy

200

A position on a topic or issue developed through appeals to the audience and largely based upon logic, reasoning, and evidence.

Argument

200

Statement that cannot be proved true because it expresses a thought or belief. May contain phrases such as I think or I feel, or absolute terms such as everyone and always.

Opinion

200

Appeals to the speaker’s status or authority, making the audience more likely to trust them.

Ethos

200

When the author speaks directly to the audience, often using “you” or “your.” Its purpose is to create a personal connection and draw the audience into the argument.

Direct Address

200

Words with strong emotional connotations (positive or negative) designed to evoke a strong feeling in the audience without providing actual facts.

Loaded Language

300

Position the author holds about the topic or issue being discussed.

Claim

300

A strongly held viewpoint toward a particular side of a topic or issue.

Bias

300

Appeals to the emotions trying to make the audience feel a certain way.

Pathos

300

A technique used by an author to persuade or create a particular effect.

Rhetorical Device

300

A broad statement that claims something is true for all cases, often without enough evidence, ignoring exceptions. Often starts with “all,” “every,” “always,” “never.”

Sweeping Generalization

400

Strengthens an argument by anticipating an opposing claim and refuting it.

Counterclaim

400

The following is an example of what: The New Orleans Saints are the best team in the NFL

Opinion

400

Which appeal is used in this statement: 9 out of 10 dentists recommend this toothpaste

Logos

400

The slogan "Only you can prevent wildfires," is what type of Rhetorical Device?

Direct Address

400

This statement is an example of what type of Logical Fallacy: All teenagers are rebellious.

Sweeping Generalization

500

Includes details that support the reasons, such as facts, quotations, examples, statistics, and expert views.

Evidence

500

The following is an example of what: Drew Brees had a total of 80,358 passing yards in his career.

Fact

500

The following is an example of which appeal: Having served as a Marine for 10 years, I know that caution is necessary in this situation

Ethos

500

The following is what type of Rhetorical Device: With all these advances and technologies in place and in development, will we see a human colony on the moon or on Mars in our lifetime? 

Rhetorical Question

500

This quote is an example of what type of Logical Fallacy: "...opening windows into worlds we previously could not have imagined."

Loaded Language

M
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