Literary Devices

Group 5Ms. DempseyAP English P.3

Taylor-Ann Costa, Natalia Tolentino, Julianne Ortega and Tulsi Patel

Ad Hominem Argument

(Latin) means “against the man

involves commenting on or against an opponent to undermine him instead of his arguments

These types of arguments are usually mistaken for personal insults

Appeal to Ignorance

One individual utilizes another individual’s lack of information on a specific subject as proof that his or her own particular argument is right

Argument from Authority

Citation of information from people recognized for their special knowledge of a subject for the purpose of strengthening a speaker or writers arguments

Begging the Question

When a proposition which requires proof is assumed without proof

A type of circular reasoning

Hasty Generalization

A hasty generalization is a broad claim based on limited evidence unethical to assert a broad claim when you

have only anecdotal or isolated evidence or instance

Non Sequitur

Statements, sayings and conclusions that do not follow the fundamental principles of logic and reason

Frequently used in theater and comedies to create comedic effects

False Dichotomy

When someone presents two or more cases as the only cases possible.

Ex: “They’re either stupid or crazy.” There are many other reasons separate from

them being stupid or crazy.

Slippery Slope

An assertion that one event will inevitably follow another without any argument for the inevitability of the event in the question.

Ex: “The government has put a tax on water. Soon there will be a tax on air!”

Straw Man Argument

When a person simply ignores a person’s actual position and substitutes a distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version of that position.

Has a pattern: Person A has position X Person B presents position Y (distortion of X) Person B attacks Y Therefore, X is false/incorrect

Faulty Causality

These fallacies rest on the incorrect assumption that because two things happen in a sequence, the first caused the second.

Ex: People often claim that since the introduction of violent video games violence among teams has greatly increased, and therefore should be banned. However, there is no proven causation in this argument, only assumed (and thus faulty) causality.

Sentimental Appeals

Attempts to appeal to the hearts of the readers so that they forget to use their minds.

Ex: The assignment I gave you last night was too long, but think how pleased your parents will be when you score a 5 on the AP test. They will have tears of joy streaming down their faces!

Red Herring

Red herring is a kind of fallacy that is an irrelevant topic introduced in an argument to divert the attention of listeners or readers from the original issue.

Ex: A teacher catches a student cheating during a test. The student in response says, “I know I’ve made a mistake. But think of my parents. They’re going to kill me”.

Scare Tactics

A strategy using fear to influence the public's reaction

Ex: “You must believe that God exists. After all, if you do not accept the existence of God, then you will face the horrors of hell."

Bandwagon appeals

Tries to persuade the reader to do, think, or buy something because it is popular or everyone is doing it

Ex: Bill: "I like classical music and I think it is of higher

quality than most modern music." Jill: "That stuff is for old people." Dave: "Yeah, only real woosies listen to that crap.

Besides, Beyoncé rules! It Rules!" Bill: "Well, I don't really like it that much. Beyoncé is

much better."

Dogmatism

The strong expression of opinions as if they were facts.

Ex: Insisting that a feminist view is the one and only way to look at literature.

Equivocation

When a key term or phrase in an argument is used in an ambiguous way, with one meaning in one portion of the argument and then another meaning in another portion of the argument.

Ex: Criminal actions are illegal, and all murder trials are criminal actions, thus all murder trials are illegal.

Faulty Analogy

Assuming that because two things are alike in one or more respects, they are necessarily alike in some other respect

Ex: Highschool Student: "No one objects to a physician looking up a difficult case in medical books. Why, then, shouldn't students taking a difficult examination be permitted to use their textbooks?"

Description

Uses the 5 senses to depict or portray something to make a point

The 5 senses- sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell

Vivid details- verbs, nouns, adjectives, and diction

Show, don't tell

Narration-telling a story

In an essay, you must have a point

Use only essential detail. Do not tell a story that is too long for the point.

Consider only- chronological or flashback?

Use description to show. Not a list of facts.

Examples

To explain a point using specific incidents or people

Can use historical figures or events, fictional characters or themes, and modern world news

Process Analysis

To tell how to do something, step-by-step

Write out the steps

Division and Classification

Divide and conquer

Divide big category then disseminate into smaller subjects

It is a deductive process.

Classification starts small and becomes larger

Comparison and Contrast

Listing of similarities and differences

Often used are Venn diagrams to outline such similarities and differences

Definition

To convey a meaning

Definition by negation- explaining something by what it is not

Cause and Effect

How and why something happens

Why....because

Inductive: causes...effects

Deductive: effects.....causes

Argument and Persuasion

To convince for a specific side of an issue

Must prove an opinion

Convince your reader or your position

Resources

http://literarydevices.net/fallacy/

"Red Herring - Examples and Definition of Red Herring." Literary Devices. N.p., 10 July 2013. Web. 08 Mar. 2015.

Pienero, A. "AP English Language Literary Devices." Flashcards. Quizlet, n.d. Web. 08 Mar. 2015.

Nordquist, Richard. "Bandwagon - Definition and Examples of the Logical Fallacy." N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Mar. 2015.

Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 08 Mar. 2015.

"The Logical Fallacies: False Analogy." The Logical Fallacies: False Analogy. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2015.

http://grammar.about.com/od/ab/g/begquestionterm.htm