Logical Fallacies
Arguing against the person instead of against the issue. Example: She can't be governor with that nasally voice!
What is ad hominem?
Also called a proposition – answers the question “What are you trying to prove?"
What is a claim?
Brief reference to a person, event, or place (real or fictitious) or to a work of art. Often classified as Biblical, historical, or literary.
What is an allusion?
All of the moves the speaker makes (both large and small) to enrich the persuasiveness and effectiveness of the text.
What are rhetorical choices?
Occurs when a speaker skips to a new and irrelevant topic in order to avoid the topic under discussion.
Millennial: "It's really hard to make a living on my salary."
Boomer: "Consider yourself lucky. When I was your age, I only made $40 a week."
What is red herring?
A proposal that relies heavily on strong emotional reactions.
What is pathos?
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?
An argumentative strategy by which a speaker or writer acknowledges the validity of an opponent's point, followed by disproving it.
A generalization based on too little evidence, or on evidence that is biased. Example: After being in New York for a week, I can tell you: all New Yorkers are rude.
What is hasty generalization?
an argument that focuses heavily on expert opinions, statistics, and factual evidence.
What is ethos?
The presentation of two contrasting ideas. The ideas are balanced by word, phrase, clause, or paragraphs.
Example: Money is the root of all evil: poverty is the fruit of all goodness.
What is antithesis?
The communicative context of a text, including the occasion and intended audience.
What is the rhetorical situation?
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?
Claim that evaluates the extent to which something holds true.
What is a qualifying thesis?
A two-part sentence or phrase, where the second part is a reversal of the first. Example: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
What is antimetabole/chiasmus?
The text’s reason for being, such as an event, situation, or position within an ongoing debate that the writer is responding to. The sense of urgency.
What is exigence?
The mistake of assuming that, because event a is followed by event b, event a caused event b. Example: I failed my chem test because I lied to my mom yesterday.
What is post hoc, ergo propter hoc?
What is being evaluated in a rhetorical analysis essay.
What is the effectiveness of rhetorical choices?
An extended metaphor throughout the course of a text. Example: The Tortoise And The Hare By Aesop
What is an allegory?
The minimum number of provided sources one should cite in a synthesis essay.