Argument Elements Vocabulary

a proposition forming the basis of an argument

“Your conclusion is flawed because your premise is wrong.”

Origin: Latin `praemissa` (things mentioned before), from `praemittere` (to send before), from `prae-` (before) + `mittere` (to send)

a statement put forward as a premise to be proved

“Her thesis challenged conventional wisdom about evolution.”

Origin: Greek `thesis` (a proposition, statement), from `tithenai` (to place, put)

a proposition contrasting with the original thesis

“His views represent the antithesis of traditional values.”

Origin: Greek `antithesis` (opposition), from `antitithenai` (to set against), from `anti-` (against) + `tithenai` (to place)

the combining of thesis and antithesis into a new proposition

“The synthesis reconciled seemingly contradictory positions.”

Origin: Greek `synthesis` (a putting together), from `syntithenai` (to put together), from `syn-` (together) + `tithenai` (to place)

clear, logical, and convincing

“She presented a cogent argument for reform.”

Origin: Latin `cogent-` (compelling), from `cogere` (to drive together, compel), from `co-` (together) + `agere` (to drive)

evoking interest or attention in an irresistible way

“The evidence was compelling beyond doubt.”

Origin: Latin `compellere` (to drive together, force), from `com-` (together) + `pellere` (to drive)

able to be maintained or defended against attack

“His position is no longer tenable given the new evidence.”

Origin: French `tenable`, from `tenir` (to hold), from Latin `tenere` (to hold)

impossible to deny or disprove

“The DNA evidence was irrefutable.”

Origin: Late Latin `irrefutabilis`, from `in-` (not) + `refutare` (to refute, repel), from `re-` (back) + root of `fundere` (to pour)

causing or likely to cause disagreement

“The contentious proposal divided the committee.”

Origin: Latin `contentiosus` (obstinate, quarrelsome), from `contentio` (striving, contest), from `contendere` (to strive), from `com-` (with) + `tendere` (to stretch)

a pithy observation containing a general truth

“The aphorism 'less is more' guides minimalist design.”

Origin: Greek `aphorismos` (definition, pithy sentence), from `aphorizein` (to define), from `apo-` (from) + `horizein` (to bound)

a short statement expressing a general truth

“He lived by the maxim 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'”

Origin: Latin `maxima` (greatest), short for `maxima propositio` (greatest proposition), feminine of `maximus` (greatest)

a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source

“The judge's dictum became a guiding principle in later cases.”

Origin: Latin `dictum` (something said, a saying), from `dicere` (to say, speak)