1. Terms to know for persuasion

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

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

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

5. 4. Firsthand observation
You are the observer.

6. 5. Secondhand observation
Observation someone else made.

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

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

9. 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.

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

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

12. 11. Valid conclusion
Consistent with the evidence

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

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

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

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

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

18. 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.

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

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

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

22. 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

23. 22. Logic
Science of reasoning

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

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

26. 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