The Common Topics
This common topic explores the meaning of a word to develop and argument.
What is the common topic of definition?
You commit this fallacy when you compare two things that are too alike or too different for any appropriate conclusion to be drawn.
What is the fallacy of False Analogy?
These are the two types of logic we use in debates.
What are inductive and deductive logic?
These 2 groups of Greek and Roman philosophers debated over the best way to achieve a happy life. (accepting fate and controlling emotions vs. pursuing pleasure.)
Who are the Stoics and the Epicureans?
What are the Special Topics?
This common topic examines causal links between 2 factors. It asks, "Did X cause Y?"
The common topic of Relationship
What is the fallacy of Hasty Generalization?
The claim, the evidence, the warrant and reservations are parts of this formula for building arguments.
What is the Toulmin Model?
Aristotle identified these three primary modes of persuasion.
What are logos, ethos and pathos?
Discourse that a lawyer might use in a courtroom - where he or she argues whether an act is or is not lawful.
What is the special topic of Judicial Discourse
This common topic helps you draw conclusions about your topic based on similarities or dissimilarities to other topics.
What is the common topic of Comparison?
You commit this fallacy when you reason that because A happened before B, A caused B.
What is the fallacy of False Cause?
A poor argument or an error in reasoning where the conclusion does not follow from the premises.
What is a fallacy?
A list of categories for finding all of the available arguments for a given subject: definition, comparison, relationship, circumstance and testimony.
What are the Common Topics?
One might use this special discourse to persuade someone to take a specific action.
What is the special topic of Deliberative Discourse?
This common topic includes common facts and examples, the statements of experts, normal people, proverbs, and religious teachings or sayings.
This PAIR of fallacies reasons that something is right because either it has always been done or believed or, the flip side, something is good because it is new.
What are the fallacies of Appeal to Tradition and Appeal to Novelty.
Arguments you can form from the knowledge and insight you posess right now (vs. arguments that you construct from sources outside yourself.)
What are internal arguments?
An appeal to logic or orderly thinking.
What is logos?
This discourse occurs whenever someone praises or blames others, highlighting their accomplishments or criticizing their failings.
What is the special topic of ceremonial discourse?
This common topic asks questions like, "How did this situation develop?", "Why did this situation develop?","What can we learn from this?"
What is the common topic of Circumstance?
You commit this fallacy when you use the testimony of an expert in one area to support the idea in another area in which that person has no expertise. (E.g. when a celebrity opines on political matters.)
What is an Appeal to Illegitimate Authority?
The process of extrapolating broad theories or ideas from consistent patterns we observe in life.
What is generalization?
The proposition that two people or teams will argue in a debate. One team will debate the affirmative and the other will debate the negative.
What is a Resolution?
An argument that contains a conclusion that is implied by two premises.
What is a syllogism?