Seven types of argument

Pop quiz!

Okay, we've seen 4 types of arguments related to questions about reality:

  • Factual: "What exists? What happened? What is true?"
  • Causal: "How did this happen? What will happen next?"
  • Definitional: "What is it? Who are they?"
  • Resemblance: "Is this like that?"

Let's see if you can spot each type in the wild.

One of the most common places we see arguments? Advertising.

Below are 4 print ads. Even though they are all very simple and graphical, each one makes an argument (or raises a question) that can be matched to one of our 4 reality-based argument types.

Print ad Formula strong teeth billboard expressionistic

Does this ad primarily make a factual, causal, definitional, or resemblance argument?

Print ad Feltrinelli books Reading means resisting

Does this ad primarily make a factual, causal, definitional, or resemblance argument?

Poster ad Accessibility wheelchair train station platform gap Hong Kong

Does this ad primarily make a factual, causal, definitional, or resemblance argument?

Print ad Anti-speeding motorbike to wheelchair across two billboards

Does this ad primarily make a factual, causal, definitional, or resemblance argument?

We would classify them as:

  1. Factual
  2. Resemblance
  3. Definitional
  4. Causal

That said, a couple mix other elements in there:

  • The "small gap" ad has ethical and proposal elements.
  • The speeding ad contains a proposal element.
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