Identifying Analogical Arguments
Analogical arguments are arguments based on comparison. They use the perceived similarities between two things to infer some further similarity that has yet to be observed. So, in other words, because two things are similar in one or more respects, what is true of one thing is argued to be true of another thing.
Question 1 (1 point)
"Explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog. They both lead to understanding, and they both die in the process." - E.B. White
Determine if an analogy is present. If an analogy is present, determine whether it is illustrative or argumentative.
Question 1 options:
No analogy
Illustrative analogy
Argumentative analogy
Question 2 (1 point)
"Choosing not to exercise may be foolish and hazardous to your health. But, it doesn’t harm anyone except yourself. In the same way, choosing not to wear a seatbelt is also foolish and hazardous to your health. Thus, it probably doesn’t harm anyone but yourself."
Determine if an analogy is present. If an analogy is present, determine whether it is illustrative or argumentative.
Question 2 options:
No analogy
Illustrative analogy
Argumentative analogy
Question 3 (1 point)
"Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get." - Forrest Gump
Determine if an analogy is present. If an analogy is present, determine whether it is illustrative or argumentative.
Question 3 options:
No analogy
Illustrative analogy
Argumentative analogy
Question 4 (1 point)
"Most things true of me are also true of Jones. We are both alike in general behavior, nervous system, etc. And I generally feel pain when showing outward pain behavior. So, it's likely that Jones does, too."
Determine if an analogy is present. If an analogy is present, determine whether it is illustrative or argumentative.
Question 4 options:
No analogy
Illustrative analogy
Argumentative analogy
Question 5 (1 point)
“The economy is like an oil tanker: It takes a lot to get going, but it takes a lot to slow it down.â€
Determine if an analogy is present. If an analogy is present, determine whether it is illustrative or argumentative.
Question 5 options:
No analogy
Illustrative analogy
Argumentative analogy