argumentation
Structured persuasive discourse
Argumentation is the process of constructing and presenting arguments—marshaling evidence, drawing inferences, and making a case.
The term appears most often in academic or formal contexts: The paper's argumentation was rigorous but unconvincing.
Unlike argument, which can mean a quarrel, argumentation refers specifically to reasoned discourse.
Collective moral character
- pathosPity-evoking quality
- logosBrand identification symbols
- oratoryFormal eloquent discourse
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
persuasion · discourse · sophistry · appeal · articulation · dialectic · persuasive · propaganda
Foundation for logical argument
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
validity · soundness · inference · proposition · fallacy · reasoning · analogy · contradiction
Cause to believe
- influencePower to affect others
- swayRock back and forth
- appealFormal review request
- coaxPersuade by gentle urging
win over · advocate · urge · exhort · induce · lobbying · campaign · pitch
Demonstration of truth
- dataFacts for analysis
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- corroborationEvidence confirming another account
substantiation · verification · citation · support · warrant · backing · grounds · example
Verbal clash over differences
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
quarrel · wrangle · discord · dissent · opposition · confrontation · polemic · contestation
Statement expressing a judgment
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- affirmativeExpressing agreement or consent
- negativeOpposite of affirmative
resolution · motion · opening statement · moderator · adjudication · contention · concession · point of order
Explanatory likeness between things
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- rhetorical questionInquiry posed for effect
- anaphoraRepeated opening words
- parallelismMatching structural elements
repetition · amplification · concession · qualification · hedging · signposting · transition · exemplification
ethos
Collective moral character
eloquence · persuasion · discourse · sophistry · appeal · articulation · dialectic · persuasive · propaganda · demagoguery
premise
Foundation for logical argument
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
syllogism · validity · soundness · inference · proposition · fallacy · reasoning · analogy · contradiction · antecedent
convince
Cause to believe
coax · win over · advocate · urge · exhort · induce · lobbying · campaign · pitch · negotiation
proof
Demonstration of truth
- dataFacts for analysis
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
corroboration · substantiation · verification · citation · support · warrant · backing · grounds · example · precedent
dispute
Verbal clash over differences
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- controversyProlonged public disagreement
clash · quarrel · wrangle · discord · dissent · opposition · confrontation · polemic · contestation · challenge
proposition
Statement expressing a judgment
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- affirmativeExpressing agreement or consent
negative · resolution · motion · opening statement · moderator · adjudication · contention · concession · point of order · constructive
analogy
Explanatory likeness between things
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- rhetorical questionInquiry posed for effect
- anaphoraRepeated opening words
parallelism · repetition · amplification · concession · qualification · hedging · signposting · transition · exemplification · definition
- reasoningreasoning, reason, logic, inference, deductive
- critical thinkingcritical thinking, reasoning, logic puzzles, analysis, inference
- philosophyethics, logic, metaphysics, ontology, epistemology
- rhetoricrhetoric, persuasion, oratory, debate, public speaking
- debaterebuttal, rebuttals, refute, case, affirmative
- legal skillslegal research, legal writing, legal reasoning, legal analysis, legal ethics
argumentationassertion
Confident statement of fact
dogma · blind faith · irrationality · illogic · unreason
argumentationagreement
Shared position between parties
consensus · concurrence · accord · harmony · acquiescence
argumentationfaith
Trust without proof
credulity · assumption · presupposition · received wisdom · blind faith
- argumentative essaysWriting defending a stance
- argumentative writingText advocating a position