Reasoning and Rhetoric

The most important or foundational idea of an argument, presentation, or piece of writing is called

• a thesis

• a fallacy

• a purpose

• a citation

A statement, reason, or fact for or against a point is

• an argument

• credibility

• rhetoric

• tone

A conclusion reached based on evidence and personal knowledge is called

• inference

• fallacious reasoning

• diction

• rhetoric

The author's reason for writing the piece is called

• purpose

• diction

• fallacy

• inference

Argument

• expresses a position on an issue and then attempts to support that position

• question that does not require an answer

• misstating an oppositions position so it is easy to attack

• assumption by the writer that a claim is true

Straw man

• expresses a position on an issue and then attempts to support that position

• question that does not require an answer

• misstating an oppositions position so it is easy to attack

• assumption by the writer that a claim is true

Begging the question

• expresses a position on an issue and then attempts to support that position

• question that does not require an answer

• misstating an oppositions position so it is easy to attack

• assumption by the writer that a claim is true

Reason

• expresses a position on an issue and then attempts to support that position

• restates the argument as a reason to support it

• explanation that supports the claim

• facts, statistics, and other information that supports the reason/claim

Circular reasoning

• expresses a position on an issue and then attempts to support that position

• restates the argument as a reason to support it

• explanation that supports the claim

• facts, statistics, and other information that supports the reason/claim

False cause and effect

• bring up a topic to distract from the real topic

• connection between two ideas does not always mean one causes the other

• limited data and sterotypes

• author's position on a topic or issue