Key Terms in Argumentation

Front

BANDWAGON

Back

A persuasive technique that suggests one should do something because everyone else is doing it.

Front

STEREOTYPE

Back

A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Front

GENERALIZATION

Back

A general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases.

Front

ANECDOTE

Back

A short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

Front

STRAWMAN ARGUMENT

Back

A form of argument where an opponent's position is misrepresented to make it easier to attack.

Front

RED HERRING

Back

A distraction or diversion from the main issue, often used to lead someone away from the truth.

Front

AD HOMINEM

Back

An argument directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining.

Front

HASTY GENERALIZATION

Back

A conclusion that is reached without sufficient evidence, often based on a small sample size.

Front

SLIPPERY SLOPE

Back

An argument that suggests taking a minor action will lead to major and sometimes ludicrous consequences.

Front

POST HOC

Back

A fallacy that assumes that if one event occurs after another, then the first event must have caused the second.