Review for Exam

Rhetorical Fallacies

Basically a fallacy is something that is presented as a true statement when in fact it is well wrong.

We use fallacies every day in day to day conversations and let’s not even get into the art of debate and persuasion.

Any way here’s a basic APLang review for the most common ones.

Ad Hominem Argument

Argument that is pointing out or addressing a specific individual or person.

Key word is “Hominem” which in Latin means to the man.

Kids tend to use this fallacy the most because it’s an easy way to defend or attack a person for example “You can't believe Jack when he says there isn't any God because he doesn't even have a job.”

False Authority

We tend to agree with the writers ideas or claims because of his or her authority. Usually when the writers are well known or famous in any way they end up having a big influence.

Example:

“This is the best foreign movie that had hit the box offices this week- it’s bounf to win an Oscar nomination.”- Andressa

“This is the best foreign movie that had hit the box offices this week- it’s bounf to win an Oscar nomination.”- Steven Speilberg

Ok so let’s be honest after listening to both of us I’m guessing Spielberg will have  a bigger influence when it comes to making a decision of buying the movie or not.

Appeal to Ignorance

Assumption that whatever has not been proven false must be true and vice-versa. Almost like the basic human right that states that were innocent till proven guilty. This is something that will surely help me remember.

Example:

“No one has been able to disprove the theory that mermaids exist; therefore mermaids do exist.”

Begging the Question

Form of argument where someone assumes that everything  a person says are proven facts.

Example: "The belief in God is universal. After all, everyone believes in God."

It would be logical that this person first try to prove to you that God exists before making such a conclusion.

Hasty Generalizations

A conclusion that is based on insufficient evidence to support its validity.

Example: “ The AP Language exam is the hardest AP exam of all. Last year my two best friends got a 1 as their final score.”

In this case it could be that my friend was taking the course as an obligation and guessed on the multiple choice. There is not enough evidence about the content to convince me that it is a hard exam.

Non Sequitor

 A statement that does not relate to what comes after it.

Example: “I lived in a house without a basement. That house flooded. Houses without basements will definitely flood.”

There is no logical connection between floods and houses without a basement.

Slippery Slope

I take it as the phrase “Well that escalated quickly”

Example:

“ If we stop enforcing the school uniform on the student next thing we know they are all coming to class in pajamas.”

The Classroom Wall

Wrathful: full of fierce and anger.

Nuance: a subtle difference in color, meaning, tone, etc.; a shade or graduation

Analogy: Similarity between the features of two things, on which a comparison can be made.

Bellicose: Warlike or hostile temperament.

Syllogism: Deductive reasoning.