Mrs.

Tiffany Kocan
AP English Language and Composition
Peters Township High School
More Enthymemes, Please
More Ways to Define
An enthymeme is an argument in
syllogistic form that uses implied
premises held by the audience.
An enthymeme is also identified as a
truncated syllogism.

Why Do They Work?
Enthymemes work because the
rhetor/writer and the audience share
some basic common thinking processes:
universal principles
common values
niche specific ideas
common sense
Just the Facts, Please
Enthymemes are based on four types of facts:
Probabilities-what is, or is supposed to be,
usually true
Examples- induction provides similar
cases, state proposition, and argue
deductively to a particular inference
Fallible Signs- argue from inevitable and
invariable
Ordinary Signs- argue from some or
particular universal proposition, true or
false

Simple Formula
This formula works most of time.
However, do not consider this the only
way to create an enthymeme.

Claim (usually unstated) + Reason
= Conclusion
Create Your Own Enthymeme
Please select three of the following topics and
create an enthymeme utilizing the formula
and information from this slide show.
1. teen curfews
2. dependency on technology
3. law enforcement cameras and the right to
privacy
4. healthy school lunch laws
5. PTHS parking pass procedures