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Logical Fallacies
Appeals & Claims
Rhetorical Terms
Syntax
General
100
Arguing against the man instead of against the issue. Example: We can’t elect him mayor. He cheats on his wife! Or: He doesn’t really believe in the First Amendment. He just wants to defend his right to hold racist views.
What is ad hominem
100
A proposal that relies heavily on strong emotional reactions.
What is appeal to emotion
100
Substitution of an agreeable or at least non-offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might be harsh or unpleasant.
What is a euphemism?
100
arranged in order of climax; withholds important or critical information to make the end information a surprise.
What is a periodic sentence
100
Also called a proposition – answers the question “What are you trying to prove?
What is a claim?
200
The conclusion does not follow logically from the premise. Example: My teacher is pretty; I’ll learn a lot from her. Or: John McCain was a war hero; he’ll be willing to stand tough for America.
What is non sequitur
200
an argument that focuses heavily on expert opinions, statistics, and factual evidence.
What is appeal to authority
200
An assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth in it.
What is a paradox?
200
contains 2 independent clauses and a dependent clause
What is compound-complex sentence?
200
An indirect way of expressing; to talk around a topic, essentially avoiding it
What is circumlocution?
300
A generalization based on too little evidence, or on evidence that is biased. Example: All men are testosterone-driven idiots. Or: After being in New York for a week, I can tell you: all New Yorkers are rude.
What is hasty generalization
300
arguments that promise to protect our values (success, freedom, equality, courage, etc.)
What is appeal to values
300
The deliberate use of ambiguity in a phrase or image--especially involving sexual or humorous meanings.
What is a double entendre?
300
A passage can read slow or fast depending on things like Length of words Omission of words Length of sentence Number of dependent clauses etc.
What is narrative pace?
300

Having identical or very similar sentence structure. Example: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

What is parallel structure?

400
Asserting a point that has just been made. Sometimes called “begging the question.” Example: She is ignorant because she was never educated. Or: We sin because we’re sinners.
What is circular reasoning
400
asserts that specific courses of action should be instituted as solutions to problems
What is claim of policy
400
A question not answered by the writer because its answer is obvious or obviously desired, and usually just a yes or no. It is used for effect, emphasis, or provocation, or for drawing a conclusionary statement from the facts at hand.
What is a rhetorical question?
400
The rhythm of a sentence that comes through parallel elements and repetition of sounds.
What is cadence?
400

Compares two things, which are alike in several respects, for the purpose of explaining or clarifying some unfamiliar or difficult idea or object by showing how the idea or object is similar to some familiar one.

What is an analogy?

500
The mistake of assuming that, because event a is followed by event b, event a caused event b. Example: It rained today because I washed my car. Or: The stock market fell because the Japanese are considering implementing an import tax.
What is post hoc, ergo propter hoc
500
asserts that a condition has existed, exists, or will exist and is based on facts or data that the audience will accept as being objectively verifiable
What is claim of fact
500
Citing an example; using an illustrative story, either true or fictitious
What is an exemplum?
500

Consists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses. Ex: “But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.” President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

What is asyndeton?

500

Using more words than required to express an idea; being redundant.

What is pleonasm?