The Art of Public Speaking - Chapter 17

Analogical reasoning

Reasoning in which a speaker compares two similar cases and infers that what is true for the first case is also true for the second case

Reasoning from principle

Reasoning that moves from a general principle to a specific conclusion

Hasty generalization

a fallacy in which a speaker jumps to a general conclusion on the basis of insufficient evidence

False cause

a fallacy in which a speaker mistakenly assumes that because one event follows another, the first event is the cause of the second

Ad hominem

a fallacy that attacks the person rather than dealing with the real issue in dispute

Either - or

a fallacy that forces listeners to choose between two alternatives when more than two alternatives exist

Red herring

a fallacy that introduces an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the subject under discussion

Bandwagon

a fallacy which assumes that because something is popular, it is therefore good, correct, or desirable

Appeal to novelty

a fallacy which assumes that something new is automatically better than something old

Appeal to tradition

a fallacy which assumes that something old is automatically better than something new

Slippery slope

a fallacy which assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent steps that cannot be prevented

Creating common ground

a technique in which a speaker connects himself or herself with the values, attitudes, or experiences of the audience

Invalid analogy

an analogy in which the two cases being compared are not essentially alike

Fallacy

an error in reasoning

The two major factors influencing a speaker's credibility

competence and character

The two major elements of logos

evidence and reasoning

Reasoning from specific instances

reasoning that moves from particular facts to a general conclusion

Causal reasoning

reasoning that seeks to establish the relationship between causes and effects

Evidence

supporting material used to prove or disprove something

Credibility

the audience's perception of whether a speaker is qualified to speak on a given topic.

Terminal credibility

the credibility of a speaker at the end of the speech

Initial credibility

the credibility of a speaker before she or he starts to speak

Derived credibility

the credibility of a speaker produced by everything she or he says and does during the speech

Logos

the name used by Aristotle for the logical appeal of a speaker

Ethos

the name used by Aristotle for what modern students of communication refer to as credibility

Pathos

the name used by Aristotle for what modern students of communication refer to as emotional appeal

Reasoning

the process of drawing a conclusion on the basis of evidence