Efficient and Reasonable Ways to Argue

(Rhetorical Techniques 101)

The Good

Premise

stated or implied starting point for an argument, it is assumed to be true

Analogy

a form of reasoning by comparison. A good analogy draws valid conclusions from items that can logically be compared.

Persuasion

attempt to convince others to do something or to change a belief of their own free will.

Emotional Appeal

statements used to arouse emotional reactions, can be appriopriately used in persuasion. However when emotional appeals distort the truth or provoke irrational desires and fears, they become propganda techniques.

Valid Generalizations

general conclusions or opinions drawn from particular observations. Valid generalizations are based on sufficient evidence and carry required qualifying words like most, some and generally.

The Bad

For a fuller exposition of the ways you can argue poorly, Stephen's Guide to the Logical Fallacies (mirrored here) is a good start. By the time you've used all those, you'll be a lot older if nothing else.

Arguing from authority

While sometimes it may be appropriate to cite an authority to support a point, often it is not. In particular, an appeal to authority is inappropriate if the person is not actually an authority or if experts in the field disagree on the issue.

Ad homenim

Attacking the person making the argument rather than the actual argument. Typically "only an idiot would think that..."

Name-calling

labeling a particular person or group inferior or bad without providing evidence to support the claim.

Card Stacking

half-truths, presenting only partial information in order to leave an inaccurate impression. Good listeners/ readers will withhold judgement until they hear the supporting details from the other side.

Hasty Generalizations

conclusions or opinions that are drawn from very few observations or that ignore exceptions, also known as stereotyping.

Begging the Question

means assuming the truth of a statement before it's proven, leading a person to a desired answer in the way the question is formatted.

False Premise

a premise that is untrue or distorted.

False Analogy

draws invalid conclusions from weak or far-fetched comparisons.

Irrelevant Evidence

information that has noting to do with the argument being made. The evidence may sound impressive, but unless it's related to the point at hand, you should ignore it.

Propoganda

persuasion that deliberately discourages people for thinking for themselves. Sole purpose is to spread information and claims that further/destroy a cause, idea, product, or person using one-sided arguments.

Stereotype

a biased belief about a whole group of people based on insufficient or irrelevent evidence. A stereotype ignores the individual.