Logical Fallacies
A general statement or conclusion that is made without sufficient evidence.
Hasty Generalization
Text that is written in a sequence or order of time.
Signal Words: First --> Then --> After
Chronological or Sequential
Provides clarity through a visual as opposed to a written description
Provides visual evidence of something that may seem unreal
Image/Photograph
also known as “Conclusion guaranteed”
Begins with a premise that is generally accepted as fact.
The arguer leads from one premise to another premise until reaching a conclusion (claim).
tends to sound something like:
“If X is true and Y is true, then Z must also be true.”
Deductive Reasoning
To communicate a message or to show something
Convey
The person (author/speaker) doesn’t understand the argument because they attack their opponent rather than the topic.
ad hominem
Presents a problem and then offers several solutions that address the problem.
Problem/Solution
Creates organization in a text, usually by topic or related ideas.
Provides clues about the main topics of a section.
Heading/Subheading
During the first week of (Observation/Trend #1) December, a doctor diagnosed 50 people with the flu. On December 10th, when a (Observation #2) teenage patient complains of sore throat, body aches, vomiting, and has a fever, the doctor diagnoses the patient with the flu (Conclusion) before the test results have come back.
Abductive Reasoning
Author's use of connotation, denotation, or figurative language to achieve their purpose
Diction
Takes attention away from or avoids the main argument/claims.
Red Herring
Uses imagery and/or figurative language within the text to show specific experiences to the reader.
Description
Provides additional information the reader may need to understand the text (at the bottom of the page)
Footnotes
also known as “Conclusion only likely”
Begins with a specific observation or a set of observations such as an experiment, a statistic, or a personal experience.
The arguer then draws a more generalized conclusion (makes a claim) based on the observation(s).
Inductive Reasoning
A statement that is true or is fact, although other people may not believe it
Claim
Instead of contending with the actual argument, they attack an easily defeated point that the opponent was never arguing in the first place.
Strawman
Aims to show the relationship between two or more events or ideas.
Signal Words: As a result of; If, Then
Cause and Effect
Provides an explanation of what/who a visual aid (image, chart, map, etc.) depicts
Caption
All dogs have ears; golden retrievers are dogs, therefore they have ears.
Deductive Reasoning
An opposing view; a statement made in response or reply to another
Counterclaim
There are gaps between the premise or evidence and the conclusion that is drawn leading to flawed logic, irrelevant conclusions, and confusion .
Non Sequitur
Focuses on how items, ideas, events, or people are similar through comparison and they are different through contrast.
Signal Words: Similarly; However
Compare and Contrast
Draws attention and adds emphasis to specific words or information within a text that may hold special significance. (ex: bold words, bullet points, italics, etc.)
Text Formatting
also known as “Take your best shot”
Begins with a pattern, trend, an incomplete set of data, or a specific observation.
Then moves to the likeliest possible explanation for that data.
Often used to make and test hypotheses using the best information available.
Abductive Reasoning
The author's use of punctuation and sentence structure to achieve their purpose
Syntax