Literary Terms Unit 10

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Contradiction

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Occurs when one asserts two mutually exclusive propositions, such as, 'Abortion is wrong and abortion is not wrong.'

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Deductive argument

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An argument in which it is thought that the premises provide a guarantee of the truth of the conclusion. The premises are intended to provide support for the conclusion that is so strong that, if the premises are true, it would be impossible for the conclusion to be false.

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Fallacy

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An attractive but unreliable piece of reasoning.

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Ad hominem

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Latin for 'against the man'. Personally attacking your opponents instead of their arguments. It is an argument that appeals to emotion rather than reason, feeling rather than intellect.

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Appeal to authority

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The claim that because somebody famous supports an idea, the idea must be right. This fallacy is often used in advertising.

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Appeal to the bandwagon

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The claim, as evidence for an idea, that many people believe it, or used to believe it, or do it. The popularity of an idea is no guarantee that it's right.

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Hasty generalization

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Based on too little or unrepresentative data. Example: 'My uncle didn't go to college, and he makes a lot of money. So, people who don't go to college do just as well as those who do.'

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Non sequitur

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A conclusion that does not follow from its premises; an invalid argument. Example: 'Hinduism is one of the world's largest religious groups. It is also one of the world's oldest religions. Hinduism helps millions of people lead happier, more productive lives. Therefore the principles of Hinduism must be true.'

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Slippery slope

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The assumption that once started, a situation will continue to its most extreme possible outcome. Example: 'If you drink a glass of wine, then you'll soon be drinking all the time, and then you'll become a homeless alcoholic.'

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Inductive argument

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An argument in which it is thought that the premises provide reasons supporting the probable truth of the conclusion. The premises are intended only to be so strong that, if they are true, then it is unlikely that the conclusion is false.