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Syllogisms and Enthymemes: Forming Persuasive Arguments

Learn about syllogisms and enthymemes, with examples and how to create compelling arguments using premises and logic relationships. Explore the differences and similarities between the two, and practice crafting your own arguments for insight.

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Syllogisms and Enthymemes: Forming Persuasive Arguments

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  1. Syllogisms and Enthymemes Ksiazek E319

  2. Forming Arguments • Arguments are created through: • premises, or logical relationships among ideas • an audience acceding to the beliefs underlying those premises

  3. Syllogism • Term coined by Aristotle • Used to describe logical reasoning from beliefs and statements

  4. Parts of a Syllogism • Syllogisms consist of the following: • A major premise: an irrefutable generalization about the world. • A minor premise: some particular statement that falls under the general category. • The conclusion: the statement that follows from the major premise and the minor premise.

  5. Syllogism Example #1 • Major premise: All humans are mortal. (Inarguable fact…unless you have discovered the fountain of youth) • Minor premise: Mrs. Ksiazek is human. (Jedi background has yet to be verified) • Conclusion: Therefore, Mrs. Ksiazek is mortal.

  6. Syllogism Example #2 • Major premise: Students need to maintain a B- average to meet the course requisite for AP Language and Composition. • Minor premise: Atticus Finch received a D+ for the semester. • Conclusion: Atticus did not meet the course requisite for AP.

  7. Enthymemes and Syllogisms • Similarities • Movement of logic • Major and minor premises, conclusion • Differences • Enthymemes do not begin with irrefutable truth, but with an assumption, statement, or proposition that the writer PRESUMES the audience accepts • Major premise is often unstated as a result

  8. Enthymeme Example #1 • Major premise: Unstated • Minor premise: Mrs. Ksiazek is a teacher. • Conclusion: Of course, she gave me good advice.

  9. What is the assumed major premise ? Problems?

  10. Answer • Possible major premises: • Teachers give good advice. • Teachers are wise. • Problems: • Teachers may only be wise in certain subject areas and may not be qualified to give advice in all areas. • General wisdom may not be the only factor to consider when giving advice.

  11. Enthymeme Example #2 • Major premise: Unstated • Minor premise: The construction of large housing developments that adjoin forest preserves upsets the ecosystem and drives animals such as deer, raccoons, and skunks out of their natural habitats. • Conclusion: Therefore, city, county, and state governments should limit the number and size of houses built in such developments.

  12. What is the assumed major premise ? Problems?

  13. Answer • Possible major premises: • Animals deserve a stable ecological habitat in which to live, just as humans do. • Problems: • One could argue that human rights supercede animal rights.

  14. Begging the question • Problem of enthymemes • When major premise is questioned (whether stated or unstated) • Writer must attempt to change reader’s mind • Major premise needs to become the conclusion for a new enthymeme

  15. Enthymeme Example #3 • Major premise: All creatures of the Earth play a natural role in maintaining the ecological stability of an area. • Minor premise: Animals contribute to the ecological stability of an area near rural property by feeding on vegetation and smaller animals. • Conclusion: Animals deserve a stable ecological habitat in which to live, just as humans do.

  16. Catcher in the Rye: Syllogism or Enthymeme? • Major premise: All grieving individuals undergo seven stages to work through their emotions and accept a loss. • Minor premise: Holden displays anger by breaking all the garage windows after Allie’s death. • Conclusion: Holden has not yet accepted Allie’s death.

  17. Catcher in the Rye:Syllogism or Enthymeme? • Major premise: A foil character contrasts with another character in a novel to highlight various features of that character. • Minor premise: Stradlater’s popularity with peers and girls highlights Holden’s isolation. • Conclusion: Stradlater is a foil to Holden.

  18. Now you try! • Attempt to write a syllogism or an enthymeme which gives us some sort of insight into the character of Edna from The Awakening • Remember to follow the major premise, minor premise, conclusion format. • Label your example as syllogism or enthymeme. • Be prepared to share, justify, and repeat!

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