Terms to know for persuasion

1. Fact A statement that can be proved. There are two types: Observations and definitions.

2. Observation Something you can see easily Example: A basketball is larger than a baseball. It is an A day.

3. Definition The meaning of something Example: A kilometer is 1,000 meters.

4. Firsthand observation You are the observer.

5. Secondhand observation Observation someone else made.

6. Opinion statement A written statement in which you express a point of view and back it up with reasons and facts.

7. Unsupported Opinion Contains exaggerations or strongly worded judgments, you cannot support it with evidence Ex. Every teacher in this school really hates me.

8. Informed Opinion Supported with facts, usually uses “because” Ex: It is important for Maryland to fund PGCPS because lack of funding would lead to increased class sizes, program cuts, and a lower quality of education.

Logical guess based on facts and common sense 9. Inference Logical guess based on facts and common sense

10. Drawing conclusions Making explanations based on evidence. You look at many facts, details, and your prior knowledge and make a logical statement.

11. Valid conclusion Consistent with the evidence

Not consistent with the evidence 12. Invalid conclusion Not consistent with the evidence

13. Valid generalization Based on a wide range of characteristics, uses qualifying words like “many, some, and generally”

14. Overgeneralization Doesn’t take every example into account and uses words like “all or none”

15. Stereotyping Making broad, inaccurate statements about members of a group.

16. Fallacy An error in logic or flawed, incorrect reasoning.

17. Either/or fallacy Stating there are only 2 choices when there are more than 2. Ex. You can either go to a four year college or fail at life.

18. Circular reasoning Attempting to prove something by repeating it in different words Ex. I want my phone back because I want it.

19. Analogy Shows the relationship between two things, usually using well-known concept Imagination is like the spark that lights a wood burning stove.

20. False analogy A comparison that is unfair, exaggerated, or otherwise illogical Ex. School is like torture.

An event that happened before another event but did not cause it 21. False cause An event that happened before another event but did not cause it

22. Logic Science of reasoning

An event or action that directly leads to an outcome 23. Cause and effect An event or action that directly leads to an outcome

24. Compare and contrast Compare – show what two or more things have in common Contrast – show the differences

25. Misuse of emotional appeals a.Name-calling – rather than discussing an idea, pointing out something negative about the person b. Bandwagon – “everyone else is doing it” c. Snob appeal – elite (popular, famous) people are doing it d. Loaded language – strongly positive or negative connotation