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ap lang units 2
vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ad hominem | Latin for “against the man,” this fallacy refers to the specific diversionary tactic of switching the argument from the issue at hand to the character of the other speaker |
| ad populum (bandwagon appeal) | This fallacy occurs when evidence boils down to “everybody’s doing it, so it must be a good thing to do.” |
| appeal to false authority | This fallacy occurs when someone who has no expertise to speak on an issue is cited as an authority. A TV star, for instance, is not a medical expert, even though pharmaceutical advertisements often use celebrity endorsements. |
| argument | A process of reasoned inquiry; a persuasive discourse resulting in a coherent and considered movement from a claim to a conclusion. |
| assumption | See warrant |
| backing | In the Toulmin model, backing consists of further assurances or data without which the assumption lacks authority. For an example, see Toulmin model. |
| bandwagon appeal | See ad populum |
| begging the question | A fallacy in which a claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt. It “begs” a question whether the support itself is sound. |
| circular reasoning | A fallacy in which the writer repeats the claim as a way to provide evidence. |
| claim | Also called an assertion or a proposition, a claim states the argument’s main idea or position. A claim differs from a topic or subject in that a claim has to be arguable. |
| claim of fact | A claim of fact asserts that something is true or not true |
| claim of policy | A claim of policy proposes a change |
| claim of value | A claim of value argues that something is good or bad, right or wrong. |
| classical oration | Five-part argument structure used by classical rhetoricians |
| introduction (exordium) | Introduces the reader to the subject under discussion. |
| narration (narratio) | Provides factual information and background material on the subject at hand or establishes why the subject is a problem that needs addressing. |
| confirmation (confirmatio) | Usually the major part of the text, the confirmation includes the proof needed to make the writer’s case. |
| refution (refutio) | Addresses the counterargument. It is a bridge between the writer’s proof and conclusion |
| conclusion (peroratio) | Brings the essay to a satisfying close |
| closed thesis | A closed thesis is a statement of the main idea of the argument that also previews the major points the writer intends to make. |
| deduction | Deduction is a logical process whereby one reaches a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth (a major premise) and applying it to a specific case (a minor premise). |
| either/or (false dilemma) | A fallacy in which the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices |
| fallacy | See logical fallacy |
| faulty analogy | A fallacy that occurs when an analogy compares two things that are not comparable. |
| first-hand evidence | Evidence based on something the writer knows, whether it’s from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events. |
| hasty generalization | Evidence based on something the writer knows, whether it’s from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events. |
| induction | Evidence based on something the writer knows, whether it’s from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events. |
| logical fallacy | Logical fallacies are potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an argument. They often arise from a failure to make a logical connection between the claim and the evidence used to support it |
| open thesis | An open thesis is one that does not list all the points the writer intends to cover in an essay |
| post hoc ergo propter hoc | This fallacy is Latin for “after which therefore because of which,” meaning that it is incorrect to always claim that something is a cause just because it happened earlier. |
| qualifier | In the Toulmin model, the qualifier uses words like usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, and most likely to temper the claim, making it less absolute. |
| quantitative evidence | Quantitative evidence includes things that can be measured, cited, counted, or otherwise represented in numbers — for instance, statistics, surveys, polls, census information |
| rebuttal | In the Toulmin model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections |
| reservation | In the Toulmin model, a reservation explains the terms and conditions necessitated by the qualifier. |
| Rogerian arguments | Rogerian arguments are based on the assumption that having a full understanding of an opposing position is essential to responding to it persuasively and refuting it in a way that is accommodating rather than alienating. |
| second-hand evidence | Evidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation. It includes factual and historical information, expert opinion, and quantitative data. |
| straw man | A fallacy that occurs when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or oversimplified example in order to ridicule and refute an idea. |
| syllogism | A logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion. |
| Toulmin model | The Toulmin model can be stated as a template: Because (evidence as support), therefore (claim), since (warrant or assumption), on account of (backing), unless (reservation). |
| warrant | In the Toulmin model, the warrant expresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience. |