AP Language Terms List Two

2015 Argumentation Fallacies List #2

1. Ad Populum – “to the crowd” The idea that a population agrees with a person or idea because “it’s the popular thing to do.”

1. Begging the Question-A fallacy in which the premises includes the claim that the conclusion is true or (directly or indirectly) assumes that the conclusion is true.Can be similar to circular reasoning in that the conclusion is part of the premise.An argument where one assumes the premise and conclusion are linked.

1. Either/Or Reasoning-An either/or fallacy occurs when a speaker makes a claim (usually a premise in an otherwise valid deductive argument) that presents an artificial range of choices. For instance, he may suggest that there are only two choices possible, when three or more really exist. Those who use an either/or fallacy try to force their audience to accept a conclusion by presenting only two possible options, one of which is clearly more desirable.

1. Non Sequitur – “it does not follow”- a logical fallacy where a stated conclusion is not supported by its premise.

1. Dicto Simpliciter (Fallacy of accident)- This is the fallacy of making a sweeping statement and expecting it to be true of every specific case -- in other words, stereotyping

1. Red herring- presenting an irrelevant topic in order to divert attention from the original issue. The “goal” is to win an argument by diverting attention away from the original argument.

1. Slippery slope- the argument that a position is not consistent because accepting that position means that the extreme of the position must also be accepted.

1. Post hoc- the argument presumes the cause and effect for two events just because they are temporally related.

1. Straw man-an attempt to counter a position by attacking a different position- one that is easier to counter.

1. Equivocation-allowing a key word in an argument to shift during the course of the argument

1. Circular reasoning-the reasoned begins with what he/she is trying to end up with.

Miscellaneous Terms You Should Already Know List #2 Continued…

1. Allegory-a poem, story or picture that reveals a hidden meaning, this meaning is often moral or political.

1. Metaphor- a figure of speech that compares one subject to another, there is often the assumption that the two subjects carry similar traits or a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another.

1. Dramatic irony-irony that is present in a story or play and is obvious to the viewer or reader but not the characters involved.

1. Situational irony-irony involving a situation in which actions have an effect that is opposite from what was intended, so that the outcome is contrary to what was expected.

1. Parody-a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing.

1. Inference-a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.

1. Imagery-an author's use of vivid and descriptive language to add depth to their work.

1. Allusion-a figure of speech that makes a reference to, or a representation of, people, places, events, literary work, myths, or works of art, either directly or by implication.

1. Hyperbole- over exaggeration.

1. Satire- a piece of writing that pokes fun at human folly or a serious situation.

Fallacies List #2 Practice

Match the fallacies from list #2 with the following examples.

1.______Jill and Jane have some concerns that the rules their sorority has set are racist in character. Since Jill is a decent person, she brings her concerns up in the next meeting. The president of the sorority assures her that there is nothing wrong with the rules, since the majority of the sisters like them. Jane accepts this ruling but Jill decides to leave the sorority.

2.______Example- Interviewer: "Your resume looks impressive but I need another reference."
Bill: "Jill can give me a good reference."
Interviewer: "Good. But how do I know that Jill is trustworthy?"
Bill: "Certainly. I can vouch for her."

3.______Eat your broccoli or you won’t get dessert.

4.______(a series of news headlines): Marijuana Party Launches Local Campaign, Police ID Wendy's Finger Owner, Gene Marker May Show Prostate Cancer Risk, White House Mum on Destroyed CIA Tapes

5.______Jane gets a rather large wart on her finger. Based on a story her father told her, she cuts a potato in half, rubs it on the wart and then buries it under the light of a full moon. Over the next month her wart shrinks and eventually vanishes. Jane writes her father to tell him how right he was about the cure.

6.______People who think abortion should be banned have no respect for the rights of women. They treat them as nothing but baby-making machines. That's wrong. Women must have the right to choose.

7.______"Last month, the Princeton Regional Health Commission took a bold step to protect its citizens by enacting a ban on smoking in all public places of accommodation, including restaurants and taverns…. In doing so, Princeton has paved the way for other municipalities to institute similar bans…."―The Record (Bergen County), July 12, 2000.

8.______Pure and Simple. CHS is the best.

9.______“The things you learn in school don’t have anything to do with life.”

10.______Jeffery is the most popular; he should be president.

11.______“You may think that he cheated on the test, but look at the poor little thing! How would he feel if you made him sit it again?”

Misc. Terms Practice

For each of the miscellaneous literary terms, provide a text example and explain how the literary term connects to the example. You may use the same text more than once.

1. Allegory-Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution.
2. Metaphor- ______
3. Dramatic irony-______
4. Situational irony-______
5. Parody-______
6. Inference-______
7. Imagery-______
8. Allusion-______
9. Hyperbole- ______
10. Satire- ______