Argument Theory
The main argument or claim of an essay summarized in a sentence or two, typically found in the introduction.
What is a thesis statement?
A type of traditional argument that includes a Claim, Support, Warrant, Backing, Rebuttal, and Qualifer.
What is the Toulmin model?
A type of claim that argues whether or not something has merit.
What is a claim of value?
A scare tactic that suggests if one thing happens, it will cause multiple bad things to happen as a result.
What is the slippery slope fallacy?
Type of proof that focuses on observable evidence and reasoning.
What is logos?
A type of argument that uses a mix of different modes, often found in digital mediums.
What is multimodal argument?
The main overall argument.
What is the claim?
A type of reasoning that examines multiple examples and draws a conclusion from them.
What is inductive reasoning?
A personal attack on character rather than policies or ideas.
What is the ad hominem fallacy?
What is ethos?
A category of argument focused on winning others to the arguer's position.
What is traditional argument?
The softened restatement of the claim.
What is the qualifier?
A type of claim that argues for specific action or change to be made.
What is a claim of policy?
Judging someone based on their affiliations or connections.
What is the guilt by association fallacy?
Type of proof that uses emotion.
What is pathos?
A type of consensual argument that offers a rebuttal of compromise.
What is Rogerian style rebuttal?
The support for the warrant.
What is the backing?
A proof that appeals to shared feelings or goals with the audience.
What is a value proof?
Attributing a false argument to an opponent and harshly refuting it.
What is the straw man fallacy?
What is logic / logos?
A category of argument focused on finding common ground and working to find compromise between positions.
What is consensual argument?
The underlying implicit assumption an audience needs to believe in order to buy into the argument.
What is the contextual warrant?
A critical evaluation of whether a proof lines up with the claim or not.
What is a test of validity?
Irrelevant or misleading "support" meant to distract.
What is a red herring?
What is kairos?