Conclusion
A summary based on evidence or facts based around claims and reasons
Reasons
a statement presented in justification or explanation of a belief or action
Intermediate Conclusion
A statement in an argument that serves first as a conclusion and then as a reason for some additional conclusion
Assumption
a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof, used to help make arguments work successfully
Counter argument
an argument or set of reasons put forward to oppose an idea or theory developed in another argument.
Indicators Words
words used to established logical relationships between two claims
Logical fallacy
An error in reasoning that renders an argument invalid
ad hominem
a fallacy that attacks the person rather than dealing with the real issue in dispute
Appeal to Authority
A fallacy in which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for a famous person or institution.
Appeal to history
A form of argument that supports a prediction about the future with a reference to the past.
Appeal to Popularity
Arguing that a claim must be true merely because a substantial number of people believe it.
Circularity
a weak attempt to prove something by referencing to the start of the argument meaning no real proof is given
Confusing necessary and sufficient conditions
Arguing that what is necessary must be sufficient, or arguing that what is sufficient must be necessary.
Correlation not causation
Just because two things happen doesn't mean they are the cause of each other
Inconsistency
state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness
Generalization
A conclusion drawn from specific information that is used to make a broad statement about a topic or person
False Dilemma
occurs when it is suggested that only two alternatives exist even though there may be others (all or nothing)
Slippery Slope
a fallacy which assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent steps that cannot be prevented
Straw man
When a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak.
Tu Quoque
Avoiding having to engage with criticism by turning it back on the accuser - answering criticism with criticism.
Weak Analogy
Claiming that items with only minor similarities are the same in almost everything else.