CSS English Essay Argumentation and Critical Thinking Syllabus

Does a balanced essay mean the writer takes no position?

No — a balanced essay examines both sides fairly but still reaches a clear, justified conclusion or stance.

What is the 'ad hominem' fallacy?

Attacking the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself.

Give an example of an ad hominem fallacy.

"You can't trust his economic plan because he failed in his own business" — dismissing the argument by attacking the person, not the plan's merits.

What is the 'straw man' fallacy?

Misrepresenting or oversimplifying an opponent's argument into a weaker version, then refuting that distorted version instead of the real one.

How does a straw man fallacy differ from genuine refutation?

Genuine refutation attacks the opponent's actual argument; a straw man attacks a distorted, easier-to-defeat caricature of it.

What is the 'hasty generalization' fallacy?

Drawing a broad conclusion from insufficient, unrepresentative, or too few examples.

Give an example of a hasty generalization.

"I met two rude people from that city, so everyone there is rude" — a sweeping conclusion from a tiny sample.

What is the 'false cause' (post hoc) fallacy?

Assuming that because one event followed another, the first caused the second, when correlation does not prove causation.

What is the Latin name and meaning behind the false cause fallacy?

Post hoc ergo propter hoc — 'after this, therefore because of this' — wrongly inferring causation from mere sequence.

What is the 'slippery slope' fallacy?

Claiming that one small first step will inevitably lead to a chain of extreme negative consequences, without evidence for that chain.

Give an example of a slippery slope argument.

"If we allow students to redo one exam, soon they'll demand to redo every assessment and grading will collapse entirely."

What is the 'false dilemma' (either/or) fallacy?

Presenting only two options as the only possibilities when other alternatives actually exist.

Give an example of a false dilemma.

"Either we cut all environmental regulations or the economy collapses" — ignoring moderate or alternative options.

Into which broad category do ad hominem and straw man fallacies fall?

Fallacies of relevance/irrelevance — they divert attention from the actual argument rather than engaging its logic.

Into which category do hasty generalization and false cause fall?

Inductive fallacies (faulty generalization and faulty causal reasoning) — errors in reasoning from evidence to conclusion.

What distinguishes a false dilemma from a slippery slope?

A false dilemma wrongly limits options to two; a slippery slope wrongly predicts an inevitable chain of consequences from one action.

What is the difference between a fact, a statistic, and data?

A fact is a verifiable individual truth; a statistic is a numerical fact derived from analysis (e.g., a percentage or average); data is the broader collection of raw facts and figures from which statistics are drawn.

Why are statistics powerful evidence in argumentative essays?

They provide objective, measurable, and persuasive support that quantifies claims and is hard to dispute when sourced credibly.

What precautions must a writer take when using statistics as evidence?

Cite credible/recent sources, ensure relevance, avoid cherry-picking, and interpret figures accurately without misleading the reader.

What is 'cherry-picking' data?

Selectively presenting only the figures that support your claim while ignoring data that contradicts it — a misuse of evidence.

Why are quotations and authoritative references used in essays?

To lend credibility and authority, support claims with expert opinion, and show the writer's engagement with respected sources.

What makes a reference 'authoritative'?

It comes from a recognized expert, credible institution, or reputable source with relevant qualifications and reliability on the subject.

How should quotations be used effectively in argumentation?

Sparingly and purposefully — integrated smoothly, attributed accurately, relevant to the point, and followed by the writer's own analysis rather than left to speak for themselves.

What is the danger of overusing quotations in an essay?

It can drown out the writer's own voice and analysis, making the essay seem derivative rather than demonstrating independent thinking.

What is the role of examples as evidence in an essay?

Concrete instances that illustrate and make abstract claims tangible, helping readers understand and accept the argument.

What is an analogy, and how does it function as evidence?

An analogy compares two different things sharing a relevant similarity to clarify or persuade; it illuminates an unfamiliar idea via a familiar one but is illustrative, not logically conclusive.

What is a case study used for in argumentation?

A detailed, in-depth examination of a specific real instance or example that supports a general claim with concrete, contextual evidence.

What is a 'false analogy' fallacy?

Comparing two things that are not alike in the relevant respects, so the comparison fails to support the conclusion.

Compare examples, analogies, and case studies as forms of evidence.

Examples are brief concrete instances; analogies are explanatory comparisons to a different but similar thing; case studies are extended, detailed analyses of a single real instance.

What is the key difference between strong evidence and a logical fallacy in an argument?

Strong evidence genuinely and relevantly supports the claim through sound reasoning, whereas a logical fallacy is a flawed reasoning pattern that only appears to support the claim but does not.