In rhetorical analysis of persuasive essays, what constitutes an argument 'ad hominem'?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Attacking the speaker
- Step 1: An argument ad hominem is an informal logical fallacy targeting the person rather than their substantive argument. It attempts to discredit an opponent's position by highlighting personal traits, motives, or character flaws. Answer: Attacking the speaker. Why not the others: "Appealing to popular belief" is the argumentum ad populum, claiming truth based on widespread opinion; "Citing anonymous authority" is an appeal to unqualified authority (argumentum ad verecundiam); "Misrepresenting premises" is the straw man fallacy, distorting an opponent's thesis to refute it easily.
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More Textual Cohesion, Argumentation and Rhetoric questions
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