Logical Fallacies. Logic in Argumentative Writing. Summary: This resource covers using logic within writing—logical vocabulary, logical fallacies, and other types of logos-based reasoning. Contributors:Ryan Weber, Allen BrizeeLast Edited: 2013-03-11 10:08:50 Fallacies are common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim. Avoid these common fallacies in your own arguments and watch for them in the arguments of others. Slippery Slope: This is a conclusion based on the premise that if A happens, then eventually through a series of small steps, through B, C,..., X, Y, Z will happen, too, basically equating A and Z. If we ban Hummers because they are bad for the environment eventually the government will ban all cars, so we should not ban Hummers. In this example, the author is equating banning Hummers with banning all cars, which is not the same thing.
Transition Words and Phrases. Transition Words and Phrases. Print version Transitions give your writing coherence. They’re like road signs, guiding readers through your thoughts. Below are some common transitions, categorized by the type of relationship they describe. While the examples within each category are similar, they are NOT interchangeable. Be sure the transition you’re using suits your meaning. Categories of Transitions Sequenceagain, finally, also, and, and then, besides, finally, furthermore, last, moreover, next, still, too, and ordinal numbers such as first, second, third Timeafter a bit, after a few days, after a while, afterward, as long as, as soon as, at last, at length, at that time, before, earlier, immediately, in the meantime, in the past, lately, later, meanwhile, now, presently, shortly, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, then, thereafter, until, when Cause and Effectaccordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this purpose, hence, so, then, therefore, thereupon, thus, to this end.
Bad Writing and Bad Thinking - Do Your Job Better. By Rachel Toor Recently I was asked by a colleague to talk to his graduate class in physical education. He invited me because he had read some of my work—on being an athlete, on gender and body issues—but mostly, I suspect, because I was around and available. They were a lively group of students, and we chatted for an hour, discussing topics we were all interested in. They asked smart questions. When we were wrapping up, I asked them a question: "What is your relationship to reading and writing? " At that moment, they morphed from T-shirt-clad physical specimens and became generic graduate students, indistinguishable from all-in-black, cigarette-smoking studiers of literary theory and bearded-and-geeky future scientists. It's all we do, they wailed, and it's hard.
What's hard? The journal articles he makes us read (they said, directing accusing fingers at my colleague) are dense and boring. No, I said, you don't. But George Orwell did something about it. But this is not to be taken lightly.