Argumentation and Debate Terms

Rhetoric

• The study of ancient civilizations and their cultures.

• The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, often using figures of speech and other compositional techniques.

• A method of scientific inquiry and experimentation.

• The practice of creating visual art and design.

Audience

• The group of people the argument is aimed at.

• A type of visual aid used in presentations.

• A method of delivering a speech.

• The main topic of discussion in a debate.

Concession

• A method of ignoring opposing arguments to strengthen your own position.

• Acknowledging the opposing argument as valid in certain situations, typically to strengthen your own argument.

• A technique used to completely dismiss any counterarguments.

• A strategy that involves compromising on your own beliefs to agree with others.

Bias

• A particular preference or viewpoint that is usually considered to be unfair.

• An objective analysis of facts without personal feelings.

• A method of gathering data through surveys and experiments.

• A statistical term used to describe the variability of data.

Fallacy

• A flaw in reasoning or logic that weakens an argument.

• A strong argument supported by evidence.

• A statement that is universally accepted as true.

• A persuasive technique used in advertising.

Evidence

• Facts, statistics, examples, or expert testimony used to support a claim.

• Personal opinions and beliefs that are not backed by data.

• Random guesses made without any information.

• Unverified anecdotes and stories shared by individuals.

Ethos

• Appeal to emotions and feelings of the audience.

• Appeal to logic and reason in arguments.

• Appeal to ethics, or the credibility and trustworthiness of the speaker or writer.

• Appeal to popular opinion and societal norms.

Counterclaim

• A statement that supports the original claim.

• A statement that opposes or challenges the original claim.

• A statement that provides additional evidence for the claim.

• A statement that summarizes the main argument.

Refutation

• The process of supporting an argument with additional evidence.

• The process of disproving an opposing argument by presenting evidence and reasoning that contradicts it.

• The act of agreeing with an opposing viewpoint to strengthen one's own argument.

• The method of summarizing an argument without taking a stance.

Argument

• A statement that expresses a personal opinion.

• A set of statements that includes a claim, evidence, and reasoning designed to convince an audience.

• A question posed to provoke thought.

• A conclusion drawn from a single piece of evidence.