Argument-Reasoning Vocabulary

Argument

• statement that conveys the writer’s or speaker’s position

• errors in reasoning in the form of misleading or irrelevant information

• expresses an opinion about a debatable topic and consists of a claim supported by reasons and evidence

• explanations or justifications for the claim

claim

• statement that conveys the writer’s or speaker’s position

• errors in reasoning in the form of misleading or irrelevant information

• thinking process that a writer or speaker applies to an argument

• explanations or justifications for the claim

reasons

• statement that conveys the writer’s or speaker’s position

• errors in reasoning in the form of misleading or irrelevant information

• thinking process that a writer or speaker applies to an argument

• explanations or justifications for the claim

evidence

• statement that conveys the writer’s or speaker’s position

• facts, examples, and expert opinions that are used to support the reasons

• thinking process that a writer or speaker applies to an argument

• explanations or justifications for the claim

reasoning

• statement that conveys the writer’s or speaker’s position

• facts, examples, and expert opinions that are used to support the reasons

• thinking process that a writer or speaker applies to an argument

• explanations or justifications for the claim

logical fallacies

• statement that conveys the writer’s or speaker’s position

• errors in reasoning in the form of misleading or irrelevant information

• thinking process that a writer or speaker applies to an argument

• explanations or justifications for the claim

Deductive reasoning

• specific examples lead to a general conclusion

• errors in reasoning in the form of misleading or irrelevant information

• general principles lead to a specific conclusion

• observations of patterns or trends lead to the most likely conclusion

Inductive reasoning

• specific examples lead to a general conclusion

• errors in reasoning in the form of misleading or irrelevant information

• general principles lead to a specific conclusion

• observations of patterns or trends lead to the most likely conclusion

abductive reasoning

• specific examples lead to a general conclusion

• errors in reasoning in the form of misleading or irrelevant information

• general principles lead to a specific conclusion

• observations of patterns or trends lead to the most likely conclusion

detail

• to judge or decide; to estimate the quality of

• a fact, a description, an example, or a reason that further explains a key idea

• an important idea in a text

• observations of patterns or trends lead to the most likely conclusion