Failing to provide evidence

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 109 views

What is an Enthymeme?

An enthymeme is a fundamental concept in rhetoric and logic, referring to a type of argument that is often used in persuasive speech and writing. It is a crucial tool for effective communication, as it allows speakers and writers to convey complex ideas and persuade their audience in a clear and concise manner.

Understanding Enthymemes

An enthymeme is essentially a shortened or incomplete syllogism, which is a type of logical argument that consists of three parts: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. In a traditional syllogism, all three parts are explicitly stated, whereas in an enthymeme, one or more of these parts are left unstated, relying on the audience's prior knowledge or assumptions to fill in the gaps.

For example, consider the following enthymeme: "We should invest in renewable energy because it's good for the environment." In this example, the major premise ("We should invest in renewable energy") and the conclusion ("it's good for the environment") are explicitly stated, but the minor premise ("renewable energy is good for the environment") is left unstated, relying on the audience's prior knowledge or assumptions to fill in the gap.

Key Characteristics of Enthymemes

Enthymemes have several key characteristics that distinguish them from traditional syllogisms. These include:

Incomplete syllogism: Enthymemes are incomplete syllogisms, meaning that one or more of the three parts (major premise, minor premise, and conclusion) are left unstated.
Relying on audience's prior knowledge: Enthymemes rely on the audience's prior knowledge or assumptions to fill in the gaps, making them more effective in persuasive communication.
Emotional appeal: Enthymemes often appeal to the audience's emotions, rather than just presenting a logical argument.
Use of rhetorical devices: Enthymemes often employ rhetorical devices such as metaphors, allusions, and repetition to make the argument more persuasive.

Types of Enthymemes

There are several types of enthymemes, including:

A fortiori enthymeme: This type of enthymeme argues that if a certain action is good in one situation, it is even more good in another situation.
A minori ad maius: This type of enthymeme argues that if a certain action is bad in one situation, it is even worse in another situation.
A priori enthymeme: This type of enthymeme argues that a certain action is good or bad based on prior knowledge or assumptions.

Examples of Enthymemes

Enthymemes are used in various forms of communication, including speeches, articles, and advertisements. Here are a few examples:

Speech: "We should invest in renewable energy because it's good for the environment." (As mentioned earlier, this is an example of an enthymeme that relies on the audience's prior knowledge to fill in the gap.)
Article: "The new smartphone is the best on the market because it has a high-quality camera and a long-lasting battery." (This is an example of an enthymeme that relies on the audience's prior knowledge to fill in the gap.)
Advertisement: "Try our new coffee because it's made from 100% Arabica beans." (This is an example of an enthymeme that appeals to the audience's emotions and relies on the audience's prior knowledge to fill in the gap.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, an enthymeme is a type of argument that is often used in persuasive speech and writing. It is a crucial tool for effective communication, as it allows speakers and writers to convey complex ideas and persuade their audience in a clear and concise manner. By understanding the key characteristics of enthymemes and using them effectively, individuals can become more persuasive and effective communicators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an enthymeme and a syllogism? An enthymeme is a shortened or incomplete syllogism, whereas a syllogism is a traditional logical argument that consists of three parts: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
How do enthymemes differ from other types of arguments? Enthymemes differ from other types of arguments in that they rely on the audience's prior knowledge or assumptions to fill in the gaps, making them more effective in persuasive communication.
What are some common types of enthymemes? Some common types of enthymemes include a fortiori enthymemes, a minori ad maius enthymemes, and a priori enthymemes.

References

Aristotle. (1991). Rhetoric. Translated by W. Rhys Roberts. New York: Random House.
Kennedy, G. A. (1991). Aristotle on Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. New York: Oxford University Press.
Perelman, C. (1979). The New Rhetoric and the Humanities: Essays on Rhetoric and Its Applications. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press.
Enthymeme Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions

In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about enthymemes, a type of argument that is often used in persuasive speech and writing.

Q: What is the difference between an enthymeme and a syllogism?

A: An enthymeme is a shortened or incomplete syllogism, whereas a syllogism is a traditional logical argument that consists of three parts: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. In a syllogism, all three parts are explicitly stated, whereas in an enthymeme, one or more of these parts are left unstated, relying on the audience's prior knowledge or assumptions to fill in the gap.

Q: How do enthymemes differ from other types of arguments?

A: Enthymemes differ from other types of arguments in that they rely on the audience's prior knowledge or assumptions to fill in the gaps, making them more effective in persuasive communication. Enthymemes also often appeal to the audience's emotions, rather than just presenting a logical argument.

Q: What are some common types of enthymemes?

A: Some common types of enthymemes include:

A fortiori enthymeme: This type of enthymeme argues that if a certain action is good in one situation, it is even more good in another situation.
A minori ad maius: This type of enthymeme argues that if a certain action is bad in one situation, it is even worse in another situation.
A priori enthymeme: This type of enthymeme argues that a certain action is good or bad based on prior knowledge or assumptions.

Q: How can I use enthymemes in my own writing and speaking?

A: To use enthymemes effectively, you should:

Know your audience: Understand what your audience already knows and what they are likely to assume.
Use rhetorical devices: Employ metaphors, allusions, and repetition to make your argument more persuasive.
Make it concise: Enthymemes are often more effective when they are concise and to the point.
Use emotional appeals: Appeal to your audience's emotions, rather than just presenting a logical argument.

Q: What are some common pitfalls to avoid when using enthymemes?

A: Some common pitfalls to avoid when using enthymemes include:

Assuming too much: Don't assume that your audience knows more than they actually do.
Being too vague: Make sure your enthymeme is clear and concise, rather than vague or ambiguous.
Failing to provide evidence: Make sure you provide evidence to support your enthymeme, rather than just relying on assumptions.

Q: How can I evaluate the effectiveness of an enthymeme?

A: To evaluate the effectiveness of an enthymeme, you should:

Consider the audience: Think about what your audience is likely to assume and what they are likely to find persuasive.
Analyze the argument: Break down the enthymeme into its component parts and evaluate each part separately.
Consider the evidence: Think about the evidence that supports the enthymeme and whether it is sufficient to persuade the audience.

Q: What are some real-world examples of enthymemes?

A: Enthymemes are used in various forms of communication, including speeches, articles, and advertisements. Here are a few examples:

Speech: "We should invest in renewable energy because it's good for the environment." (This is an example of an enthymeme that relies on the audience's prior knowledge to fill in the gap.)
Article: "The new smartphone is the best on the market because it has a high-quality camera and a long-lasting battery." (This is an example of an enthymeme that relies on the audience's prior knowledge to fill in the gap.)
Advertisement: "Try our new coffee because it's made from 100% Arabica beans." (This is an example of an enthymeme that appeals to the audience's emotions and relies on the audience's prior knowledge to fill in the gap.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, enthymemes are a powerful tool for persuasive communication. By understanding how to use enthymemes effectively, you can become a more persuasive and effective communicator. Remember to know your audience, use rhetorical devices, make it concise, and use emotional appeals. Avoid common pitfalls such as assuming too much, being too vague, and failing to provide evidence. By following these tips, you can use enthymemes to persuade your audience and achieve your goals.

References

Aristotle. (1991). Rhetoric. Translated by W. Rhys Roberts. New York: Random House.
Kennedy, G. A. (1991). Aristotle on Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. New York: Oxford University Press.
Perelman, C. (1979). The New Rhetoric and the Humanities: Essays on Rhetoric and Its Applications. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press.