The words
Every word in this set, with what it means. Tap a word to hear it.
- assumption
- something accepted as true without proof
- “Name the assumption the argument depends on.”
- causation
- the relationship in which one thing causes another
- “Correlation is not the same as causation.”
- contention
- a point argued or asserted in a debate
- “Her main contention is that the sample is biased.”
- corollary
- a natural consequence that follows from something already shown
- “A corollary of the rule is that exceptions must be rare.”
- fallacy
- a mistaken belief based on unsound reasoning
- “That claim rests on a common fallacy.”
- premise
- a statement used as the basis for an argument
- “If the premise is false, the conclusion collapses.”
- qualification
- a limitation added to a statement
- “Add a qualification so the claim is not overstated.”
- rebuttal
- a response that argues against a claim
- “Write a brief rebuttal to the opposing view.”
- speculation
- ideas formed without firm evidence
- “Avoid speculation when the passage gives no support.”
- warrant
- justification for a claim or action
- “What warrant does the author offer for that leap?”
- anomaly
- something that differs from what is normal or expected
- “Treat the anomaly as a challenge to the model.”
- bias
- a tendency that unfairly favors one side
- “Selection bias can distort survey results.”
- discrepancy
- a difference between things that should match
- “Explain the discrepancy between the two tables.”
- equivocal
- open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous
- “The results are equivocal and need another trial.”
- extrapolate
- to extend a conclusion beyond the known data
- “Do not extrapolate from one small study.”
- mitigate
- to make something less severe
- “The redesign may mitigate the risk of error.”
- plausible
- seeming reasonable or probable
- “Offer the most plausible alternative explanation.”
- preclude
- to make something impossible
- “The missing data preclude a firm conclusion.”
- tenuous
- weak or uncertain
- “The link between the factors is tenuous.”
- unwarranted
- not justified by the evidence
- “That leap from data to policy is unwarranted.”
- corroborate
- to support or confirm with evidence
- “Can another study corroborate these findings?”
- deduce
- to reach a conclusion by reasoning
- “From the premises, we can deduce a narrower claim.”
- implication
- a possible result or meaning that is not stated directly
- “Consider the policy implication of the result.”
- invalidate
- to show that something is wrong or not acceptable
- “One counterexample can invalidate the rule.”
- overstate
- to describe something as greater than it really is
- “Do not overstate what the sample can show.”
- paradox
- a situation that seems impossible or contradictory
- “The paradox invites a closer look at the definitions.”
- reconcile
- to make two different ideas or facts fit together
- “How can we reconcile the two reports?”
- undermine
- to gradually weaken something
- “Missing controls undermine the conclusion.”
- verify
- to check that something is true or accurate
- “Verify the citation before relying on it.”
- warranted
- justified by the evidence or circumstances
- “Is that strong claim warranted by the data?”