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AP English Argument Terms

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54990275Argumenta process in which a speaker, writer or artist tries to elicit a desired response from an audience by identifying commonalities in the interest of both parties
54990276Assertionconclusion one draws based on some combination of reasons and assumptions (claims, thesis)
54990277Assumptionprovides the connection between the evidence or proof and the conclusions drawn from the proof (the unseen glue in an argument)
54990278Thesisthe main assertion in an argument
54990279Claiman assertion
54990280Summarykey ideas from an argument
54990281Premiseanother word for assumption and reason (formal logic)
54990282Definition of termsexplaining or clarifying a word or expression
54990283Analogysuggestion that two ideas, situations, are comparable in certain ways
54990284False Analogythe claim of persuasive likeness when no significant likeness exists
54990285Syllogismclassic outline of deduction used to test the logic of an argument
54990286Enthymenea compact deductive argument
54990287Deductivea method of organization arguments by drawing a conclusion based on general principle (ex: Declaration of Independence)
54990288Inductivea method of organizing an argument by generalizing from the specific data
54990289Faulty Assumptionan incorrect connection between the evidence and the conclusion
54990290False Dilemmaan either or situation in which the writer implies that we have only two choices
54990291Equivocationtwo meanings at the same time in one word or phrase
54990292Red Herringa distraction inserted into an argument
54990293Non Sequituran erroneous connection between the evidence and the conclusion
54990294Begging the Questiontaking for granted from the start what you set you demonstrate. When you reason in a logical way, you state that because something is true, then, as a result, some other truth follows. When you __________________ however you repeat that what is true is true. If you argue, for instance that dogs are menace to people because they are dangerous, you don't prove a thing. Beggars of a question often repeat what they already believe, only in different words.
54990295Least to most important organizationstarts with less strong assertion and builds up to the strongest ones in order to establish a sense of momentum and emphasize the most important points
54990296Conclusiona third statement produced from two statements or propositions taken to be true
54990297Inferenceconclusion reached from something know and going on to something not fully know or observed
54990298Rebuttalproof that an argument or statement is wrong; the answer to an assumption, point of view, or statement with which one disagrees
54990299Dogmatisman ethical fallacy, a writer who attempts to persuade by asserting or assuming that a particular position is the only one conceivably acceptable within a community is trying to enforce _________. Indeed, _________ is a problem of character because the tactic undermines the trust that must exist between those who would make and those who would receive arguments. In effect, people who speak or write ____________ imply that there are no arguments to be made, the truth is self evident to those who know better (Lunford and Ruszkiewicz)
54990300Oversimplificationsupplying neat and easy explanations for large and complicated phenomena. "No wonder drug abuse is out of control. Look at how the courts have hobbled police officers." _____________ solutions are also popular "All these teenage kids that get in trouble with the law- why, they ought to ship 'em over to China. That would straighten 'em out."
54990301Hasty Generalizationleaping to a generalization from inadequate or faulty evidence. "Men aren't sensitive enough to be day-care providers." "Women are too emotional to fight in combat."
54990302Either/Or Reasoningassuming that a reality may be divided into only two parts of extremes: assuming that a given problem has only one of two possible solutions
54990303Argument from doubtful or unidentified authority"We ougt to castrate all sex offenders; Uncle Oswald says we should."
54990304Argument Ad Hominen(Latin "to the man")- attacking a persons view by attacking his or her character "Mayor burns is divorced and estranged from his family. How can we listen to his pleas for a city nursing home."
54990305Post hoc (ergo propter hoc)(Latin- after this, therefore because of this) or for short: assuming that because B follows A, B is caused by A.
54990306Omissionexcluding fact that would disprove the assertion
54990307Loaded Question"Do you no longer support the death penalty?" The assumption is that a person did support the death penalty at one time.

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