A Guide to Identifying Different Types of Argument

The argument is something that can be found in every corner of life. It's a part of human nature to debate and disagree. But not all arguments are the same!

Whether it’s an argument between two siblings or a philosophical debate among experts, it’s no surprise that there is a range of argumentative styles. 

With so many types, it can be intimidating to write an argument with perfection. But don't worry! 

Our guide is here to help! We'll break down each type of argument so that you can easily recognize them when they come up in conversations. With our guide, you'll never again feel lost during an argument. 

So let's explore the various types of arguments!

4 Main Types of Arguments

Struggling to choose a compelling argument for your upcoming argumentative essay? Take a look at the types of arguments we have covered and get started with your essay!

The four main types of arguments are Classical, Aristotelian, Toulmin, and Rogerian Arguments. Let’s take a look at each in more detail!

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Classical Argument

This type of argument is based on the structure suggested by the ancient philosopher Aristotle. It follows a logical progression, aiming to identify common ground between two sides that are in disagreement. 

For example,

Aristotelian Argument

It is also known as an enthymeme. This argument is based on the argumentation theories of the ancient Greek thinker Aristotle. This style of argument attempts to persuade its audience through logical appeals, rather than emotional ones.

For example,

Toulmin Argument

The Toulmin Argument is a model of argumentation that was created by philosopher Stephen Toulmin. It consists of data, warrants, qualifiers, rebuttal/backing statements, and claims. 

In this argument, one must take into account the various elements to determine if an argument is valid. 

For example

Rogerian Argument

This type of argument was developed by psychologist Carl Rogers. It is based on finding common ground between two sides in order to reach a compromise.

For example

Discover the different types of argumentative strategies in this handy PDF sample!

To gain a better understanding of the different forms of Arguments, watch this video!

Types of Argument Fallacies

Argument fallacies are errors of reasoning or logic. They tend to undermine the strength of an argument, making it less persuasive. There are many different forms of argument fallacies.

We will look at some of the most common fallacies below.

Ad Hominem

This is when an individual uses a personal attack against their opponent instead of addressing the actual argument. 

For example, if someone were to say “You’re wrong because you’re an idiot,” they would be using the ad hominem fallacy.

Strawman Argument

This is when the person attacking an argument misrepresents the other person’s point of view to make it easier to attack. 

For example, if someone were to say “You think we should raise taxes on the wealthy? That’s ridiculous!” they would be using a strawman argument.

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Appeal to Ignorance

This is when someone argues that a claim grounds must be true because there is no evidence to the contrary. 

For example, if someone were to say “We don’t know for sure that aliens don’t exist, so they must exist,” they would be making an appeal to ignorance.

False Dilemma

This is when someone presents only two options as if they are the only ones available. 

For example, if someone were to say “You have to choose between A or B,” they would be presenting a false dilemma.

Slippery Slope Fallacy

This is when an individual argues that taking one action will inevitably lead to another, often negative, outcome. 

For example, if someone were to say “If we allow one person to smoke in public, soon everyone will be smoking in public!” they would be using the slippery slope fallacy. 

Circular Argument

This is when someone uses their conclusion as part of their argument. 

For example, if someone were to say “God exists because the Bible says so and the Bible is true because God exists,” they would be making a circular argument.

Hasty Generalization

This is when someone makes an inference about a group of people based on very limited evidence or experience. 

For example, if someone were to say “All teenagers are lazy and irresponsible,” they would be making a hasty generalization. 

Red Herring Fallacy

This is when an individual introduces a topic that has nothing to do with the argument in order to distract from the actual discussion.

For example, if someone were to bring up their own achievements while arguing against another person’s point, they would be using the red herring fallacy.

Appeal to Hypocrisy

This is when an individual accuses their opponent of not living up to their own standards or beliefs. 

For example, if someone were to say “You claim that smoking is bad but you smoke yourself,” they would be making an appeal to hypocrisy.

Causal Fallacy

This is when someone argues that one event caused another without providing any evidence or proof. 

For example, if someone were to say “The hurricane was caused by climate change,” they would be making a causal fallacy. 

The Fallacy of Sunk Costs

This is when an individual makes a decision based on costs they have already incurred rather than looking at the overall benefit. 

For example in this logical fallacy, suppose a person keeps investing in a failing business. The reason is that he has already put so much time and money into it. That means the person is falling for the fallacy of sunk costs. 

Appeal to Authority

This is when an individual uses an expert opinion as evidence to support their argument without providing any other facts. 

For example, if someone were to say “The president said we should do X so that’s what we should do,” they would be making an appeal to authority. 

Equivocation

This is when an individual changes the meaning of a word during the course of the argument. 

For example, if someone were to say “A bear is just a large dog,” then later say “You shouldn’t pet a bear,” they would be equivocating.

Appeal to Pity

This is when someone attempts to win an argument by appealing to the emotions of their audience. 

For example, if someone were to say “You should give me a raise because I have a family to support,” they would be making an appeal to pity. 

Bandwagon Fallacy

This is when an individual argues that something must be true or accepted because everyone else believes it. 

For example, if someone were to say “Everyone on the internet says X so it must be true!” they would be making a bandwagon fallacy.

Types of Arguments in Philosophy

In philosophical logic, there are three distinct categories of arguments: abductive, deductive, and inductive. Each type has its own unique characteristics that can be used to craft a persuasive conclusion based on given evidence.

Here's a closer look at each category of argument:

Deductive Arguments

Deductive arguments are the most common type of argument used in philosophical debates. In a deductive argument, a conclusion is drawn from two or more premises, which must be true in order for the conclusion to be valid. 

For example

Inductive Arguments

Inductive arguments involve making an inference based on evidence or past experience. In other words, an inductive argument uses evidence to draw a general conclusion. 

For instance:

Eager to gain a thorough understanding of the difference between deductive and inductive arguments? Follow this link for an in-depth analysis!

Abductive Arguments

Abductive arguments use evidence and reasoning to come up with the best explanation for a phenomenon. Abductive arguments are commonly used in science and medicine, but can also be used in philosophy. 

An example of an abductive argument would be, 

Let’s wrap up!

We hope this guide has been helpful in identifying the different types of arguments. Whether you’re writing for a class or an academic journal understanding different types of arguments is essential to crafting one. 

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