Argument structure
Rhetoric
Fallacies - definitions
Identifying fallacies
Random trivia
100
Your whole argument revolves around convincing your reader that this is true.
Central claim
100
Appeals to logic.
Logos
100
This is an attack on the character of a person rather than his or her opinions or arguments.
Ad hominem
100
Person 1:I promise to balance the budget in my first year as governor!
Person 2: She promises to balance the budget, but she couldn’t be smart enough because she never ran a business.
Ad hominem
100
What is the capital of Oklahoma?
Oklahoma city
200
This is where you tell your reader or listener what they must do next if they accept your argument.
Call to action
200
Appeals to emotion.
Pathos
200
This is a conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing it to only two sides or choices.
False choice
200
If we don’t order pizza for dinner, we’ll have to eat the week-old spaghetti in the fridge.
False choice
200
To what mythology does the goddess Sekhmet belong?
Egyptian
300
This is where you explain your thoughts on why your argument is logical.
Reasoning and evidence
300
Appeals to an individuals good character, notoriety, or authority.
Ethos
300
This argument assumes that a series of unlikely events will unfold in order to justify itself.
Slippery slope argument
300
If you don’t pass tomorrow’s math exam, then you can’t take calculus next year. If you don’t take calculus, you won’t be accepted into the master’s program you want. Therefore, if you fail tomorrow’s math test, you won’t get a master’s degree!
Slippery slope fallacy
300
What is the only sport to have ever been played on the moon?
Golf
400
This shows your opposition that you have considered their point of view when forming your argument, yet you still stand by your claim.
Counter-argument
400
Ethos
400
This move oversimplifies an opponent's viewpoint and then attacks that hollow argument.
Straw man fallacy
400
A police officer pulls a car over for speeding. The driver complains, saying that they shouldn’t pay a fine since there are so many dangerous criminals out there and the police should be chasing them instead.
Red herring
400
What classic Disney movie is inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet?
The Lion King
500
List one of the four attributes that every good central claim has.
Debatable, specific, matter of opinion, or supported by evidence
500
Pathos
500
This is a diversionary tactic that avoids the key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments rather than addressing them.
Red herring
500
Person 1: I think we should increase benefits for unemployed single mothers during the first year after childbirth because they need sufficient money to provide medical care for their children.
Person 2: So you believe we should give incentives to women to become single mothers and get a free ride from the tax money of hard-working citizens. This is just going to hurt our economy and our society in the long run.
Straw man
500
What city has the highest population in the world?
Tokyo, Japan