Enthymeme

[Sarah]

An argument consisting of only two propositions, an antecedentand consequent deduced from it; a syllogism with one premise omitted;as, We are dependent; therefore we should be humble. Here the majorproposition is suppressed. The complete syllogism would be, Dependentcreatures should be humble; we are dependent creatures; therefore weshould be humble.

[Hina Muqadas]

An enthymeme is a form of rational appeal, or deductive argument. It is also known as a rhetorical syllogism and is used in oratorical practice. While the syllogism is used in dialectic, or the art of logical discussion, the enthymeme is used in rhetoric, or the art of public speaking. Enthymemes are usually developed from premises that accord with the audiences view of the world and what is taken to be common sense. However, where the general premise of a syllogism is supposed to be true, making the subsequent deduction necessary, the general premise of an enthymeme is merely probable, which leads only to a tentative conclusion. Originally theorized by Aristotle, there are four types of enthymeme, at least two of which are described in Aristotles work.