5.1 Logical Fallacies and Persuasive Techniques Notes 

 Persuasive Techniques Vocab.


  Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds to add emphasis
ex: She sells seashells by the sea shore


      Assonance

Repetition of vowel sounds for emphasis
ex: The rain in Spain falls mainly in the Plains

Fallacy (Fallacies)

Logical

Using statistics, Expert opinion, Research finding, and anecdotal evidence to prove a point.

Emotions (You would be so happy if...)
 Fears (If you don’t...then bad things will happen)
 Needs (Your life will be complete if you...)
 Desires (You can be just like everyone else if you...)

Simple errors that that will hurt the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and often recognized because they lack evidence.


 Appeal

common errors reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument.The fallacies can be either irrelevant points and are often identified

Playing on the audience’s emotions, fears, needs or desires to persuade them that you are right

Evidence

 Studies show 9 out 0f 10 Dentists recommend (insert toothpaste brand here)
 Research, statistics, expert opinion





       Colloquial Language

Informal,everyday language used to appear friendly and similar to their audience
ex: yeah vs yes

 We are all in this together. It is up to us to see that thisgreat undertaking of ours does not fail.
 They did this to us. It is all their fault. We must rise upand oppose them.

Inclusive/Exclusive Language

Use of we, us and our to show solidarity, or They and
them to show exclusion





Formal Language

Using higher level language with limited emotional reactions to sound more knowledgeable
ex:would not vs wouldn't

Questions which do not expect an answer and are asked for effect only.

Ad Hominem

An attack on a character of a person instead of his/her opinions or arguments ex: Green Peace's strategies aren't effective because they are all dirty, lazy hippies.



 Jargon

Using specialized/technical terms to show one self to be an expert in the field they are discussing
ex: Hammering videogames

 Rhetorical Question

:Are you okay? (Asked to someone who is clearly in pain)
 What were you thinking? (Asked to someone who just did something really foolish)

Ad Populum

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Because you were outside while it was raining, you got wet

Cause and Effect

Arguing that one thing led to another

using emotionally loaded words to influence people

  Connotation

 Child = neutral emotional association
 Cherub = positive emotional association
 Brat = negative emotional association
 All can be used when referring to a kid.




 Humor

Using puns,irony,sarcasm, satire and jokes to discredit opposing views
ex: Saying "totally artraged" instead of outraged when talking about controversial art




   Generalization

Making a sweeping statement about a whole group based upon one or two members of the group
ex:Sports fans all crazy




 Analogy

Comparing one thing to another in order to prove a point
ex: I hate economics it's like trying to swim up a waterfall

  Attacks

 My opponent would see us hand over control of our country to our enemies.
 If you believe that money can solve all of your problems then you are a fool.

Portraying opposing views or people as foolish, dangerous, uncaring or deceitful in an attempt to discredit them