High School English; a Manual of Composition and Literature

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ... / CHAPTER XII. AEGUMENTATION. INDUCTIVE REASONING--UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE OF ALL INDUCTIVE REASONING--LITERARY FORM OF INDUCTIVE REASONING--PROPOSITIONS--DEDUC-TIVE REASONING--THE SYLLOGISM--ANTECEDENT PROBABILITY--SUPPRESSED PREMISES--ARGUMENT FROM CAUSE--FROM EFFECT BACK TO CAUSE--METHOD OF EXCLUSION--ARGUMENT FROM SIGN--ARGUMENT FROM ANALOGY--TESTIMONY--PROOF--REFUTATION--PERSUASION--DEBATE--SCHOOL DEBATE--HOW TO PREPARE FOR A SCHOOL DEBATE. Whenever one person tries to influence others to think as he thinks or to do as he wishes, he finds it necessary to give reasons. It is not enough simply to express his own convictions; he must give the basis on which they rest. He must answer the question, " Why should we do this? " or, " Why should we think that? " If we investigate, we shall find that behind all of our beliefs and conclusions there lie in our minds certain reasons for them. These may be good or they may be bad; they may be sufficient to support the conclusion or they may not. The process of stating these in such a way as to set up in another's mind a train of thought that will lead him to reach the conclusion that we have reached, is called Argumentation. EXERCISE. Write the reasons why you believe the following statements: --Dark clouds betoken rain. All creatures that have wings can fly. Snow falls in winter only. All large children go to school. Every one who rides in the street-car must pay fare. Make a list of conclusions which you have recently tried to induce some one else to accept; and give the result of your efforts, by answering the following questions: --Did you succeed? What reasons did you give? Did your hearer accept all your reasons as good? Were all your reasons good? Did you make a personal appeal? Did you choose...