Argument Techniques

Front 1

Appeal to patriotism

Back 1

Draws on national pride and people's loyalty to their country

Hint 1

'Australian should be very proud of the way in which we so cheerfully welcome immigrants from all over the world. That's what I call a real Aussie "fair go".'

Front 2

Appeal to self-interest

Back 2

Engages with people's feelings that their interests should be placed ahead of others'

Hint 2

'Sure, a new freeway might reduce the commute for those who work in the city, but saving them a few minutes' drive is not worth the price you and I will have to pay in terms of noise, pollution and plummeting house values.'

Front 3

Appeal to tradition and custom

Back 3

Places a high value on the past and one's heritage; suggest that abandoning traditional is damaging to society

Hint 3

'How sad that the local kindergarten's annual Christmas concert, put on every year for the last 25 years, has been cancelled for not being "inclusive" enough. We have a proud tradition of Christianity in this country and I'm sorry to see it trampled on in this way.'

Front 4

Assumption

Back 4

An idea or statement that someone takes for granted has been true

Hint 4

'The government is purposely ignoring the needs of pensioners in its changes to Medicare.'

Front 5

Begging the question

Back 5

Basing an argument on a premise that is the same as a conclusion

Hint 5

'You are wrong about the proposed changes to drug sentencing laws because you don't have your facts right.'

Front 6

Cause and effect

Back 6

Linking an outcome to a particular set of events or decisions

Hint 6

'The rising divorce rate has created a generation of young people who are struggling to form their own lasting relationships.'

Front 7

Deductive reasoning

Back 7

Examining general rules about a group to form a conclusion about one small part of the group

Hint 7

'General Practitioners study medicine for a years and dedicate their lives to helping people be helping, so my GP's advice about breastfeeding is obviously reliable.'

Front 8

Evidence

Back 8

Facts, information, or expert opinion used to support an argument

Hint 8

'Preliminary research suggests that people who are in frequent contact with friends through technology actually more likely, not less, to see their friends in person.'

Front 9

Generalisation

Back 9

A sweeping statement that claims that something is true for most or all cases because it is true in one or some instances

Hint 9

'Girls love doors and dressing up as princesses; boys love trucks and getting dirty. That's just how things are.'

Front 10

Inductive reasoning

Back 10

Observing a series of specific events to form a more general theory about what is most likely happening

Hint 10

'Every time I go past this intersection there has been a recent accident, so further accidents are inevitable until something is changed.'

Front 11

Reason and logic

Back 11

The use of evidence or deduction (drawing a conclusion from something generally known or assumed to be 'true' to support a clear argument

Hint 11

'If we want to ban the niqab for "security reasons", then logically we must also ban all forms of facial covering, from children's Batman costumes to masquerade masks to over-large sunglasses. If this sounds ridiculous, so too should a niqab ban.'

Front 12

Straw man argument

Back 12

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument in order to make it easier to rebut

Hint 12

'The opposition's proposal for a shark cull in WA to reduce attacks on humans is ridiculous; trying to make the ocean as safe as a swimming pool is unrealistic and undesirable.'